The London Rugby League Foundation plays an important role in supporting the development of players and coaches in the region, in partnership with the Rugby Football League.

The Foundation has been accredited as the official England Talent Pathway (ETP) delivery partner in London and the South East. ETP is the first rung of the rugby league performance ladder that aims to “Improve Players by Improving Environments”, delivering more and better players, supported by more and better coaches.

The aim is for the England Talent Pathway to be seen as the “national curriculum” for 12-16 rugby league players, making it the perfect tool for coaches in this age group and secondary school teachers, introducing and developing players, often new to the game. The programme provides CPD training and a rugby league coaching curriculum for community club coaches and secondary school teachers working with 12-16 year-old Rugby League players. In addition, the players themselves are supported with a profiling tool that allows them to self-assess their own progress in training and matches.

The ETP programme aims to improve the quality of players in the talent pool, but also help more players of all ability levels to fulfil and demonstrate their potential.

The programme has four key areas;

• Coachability – how do player behaviours and attitudes contribute to development?
• Mental Attributes – introducing sports psychology to the young player.
• Game – Technical aspects specific to Rugby League
• Movement –The ability of the young player to perform key movements with control and accuracy, vital for their physical literacy.

For more information on the programme and how to get involved as a secondary school or community club, please get in touch at: [email protected]