Cambridge Rugby have proudly launched the enhanced 1923 Academy ahead of the 2025/26 season — a key step in developing the next generation of elite players which creates a clear, structured pathway to 1st XV rugby.
Under Academy & Pathways Manager Josh Sharp, the Club will deliver a performance development programme for talented players identified between the ages of 14 and 23. The programme will offer high-performance training, expert coaching, strength and conditioning, nutrition advice, and individual performance analysis — all designed to support and accelerate the growth of young players.
Josh couldn’t be more excited: “It’s a big moment for us. It’s the culmination of all the hard work, the admin, a summer of recruitment, making sure we’ve got the programme fully functioning and fully worked to make that step forward to producing players who are striving to play Champ Rugby”.
Rowland Winter, Chief Operating Officer states, “Our vision is to develop homegrown talent capable of making an impact in the 1st XV and beyond. The 1923 Academy is more than a development programme — it’s a launchpad for future stars of Cambridge Rugby. We will be sharing the detail of the junior programme that will directly benefit players aged 14 to 18 at the club, alongside the performance focus that will see a new set of academy fixtures scheduled throughout the season for the Under 18, Under 19, and Under 23 age groups, providing a higher level of exposure and genuine stepping stones to the 1st XV.”
Josh can’t wait to oversee this vision, saying “For players aged 18+, this programme sits alongside their current club or university rugby. It is for players who want to accelerate their development, and are looking for additional, enhanced participation at an elite level. We will then use the programme to identify the top talent to invite into our senior academy group, who train and play as part of the Champ Rugby squad. The programme is designed to take account of players availability and will run on Wednesdays inside and outside of term time for those who are still at school, at college, at university, and will give them access to a Champ Rugby environment and an opportunity to progress their careers.
“We have a strong programme of fixtures – a great opportunity to showcase the talent we have in the region – predominantly Wednesday based, with some double headers set before a Champ Rugby fixture to add to the experience.
“It’s very exciting – the pathway is already alive and kicking – last season three players from the 1923 Academy made their Champ Rugby debuts. Preston Macfarlane, Caleb Reeves and Mark Miska-Alvarez have all got Champ appearances on their CV. We’ve got 8 Senior Academy players this year – they’re training alongside the Champ squad three nights a week on the full Champ programme. The ambition is to roll out more Senior Academy contracts at the end of the season and show the whole region what we’ve achieved.
We are building our Summer sessions as we build up to our first fixture of the season on Saturday 6th September vs Ampthill, at home, with a squad of talented 19 to 23 year olds. To get involved, find out more, or register your interest, contact Josh Sharp (Academy & Pathways Manager) at josh.sharp@crufc.co.uk