The role of the SOR is to work closely with county coaches and development officers to identify players considered to have the talent to benefit from, and progress through, the programme. It is important to recognise that this is not just another squad. The SOR provides an entry into a long-term development programmer which in some cases will lead towards the very highest level of the game.

There are three Harlequins Schools of Rugby. The Sussex centre is based at Brighton Rugby Club, the Surrey centre is at the Surrey Sports Park, Guildford and the Inner London (Surrey Satellite) SOR is based at Emanuel School, Battersea Rise. The Head of the Surrey centre is Lorcan O'Brian whilst Richard Siggs heads up the Sussex programme and Tom Williams heads up the Inner London programme. Contact details for these three are as follows:

Lorcan O'Brien
Tel: 07875 239991
Email: LOBrien@kgs.org.uk

Richard Siggs
Tel: 07779 966 874
Email: richard.siggs@btinternet.com

Tom Williams
Tel: 07793 282 951
Email: tomw@quins.co.uk

During the final years of the SOR programme, certain players are selected into the Elite Player Development Group (EPDG). These are the players who Harlequins feel have potential to reach regional academy standard on leaving school. A more personalised programme is developed for these players, who will usually be playing international schools rugby at this stage.

The next stage after the EPDG is the regional academy and the role of the EPDG is to identify and prepare for potential transition into the regional academy, which can happen from the age of 16 onwards.

The SOR is not a team; it provides personalised and individual training programmes for each player and monitors the progress being made by each player. SOR players will continue to play for their clubs, school and counties.

What can parents expect of us?
Individual interest in and attention to each player
Excellent communication
Involvement of parents in the planning process
High performance coaching
Fitness and strength testing and training programmes under the direction and supervision of qualified personnel
Performance analysis and a supervised development programme
Dietary advice / support
Outstanding medical support at SOR sessions

What do we expect from parents?
Keeping winning in perspective
Encouraging a healthy lifestyle
Encouraging fair play
Helping boys to make their own decisions and communicate for themselves
Setting realistic targets
Providing transport
Being supportive and encouraging after bad performances

What do we expect from boys?
Work towards the attainment of full potential in Rugby Union
Work effectively at school
Occupy time in a manner expected by the Academy
Comply with the training requirements of the Academy and respond in a positive manner to constructive criticism
Maintain personal habits of health conducive to sporting excellence
Abide by the spirit as well as the letter of the laws of rugby
Accept victory and defeat with dignity and grace
Behave and dress in a dignified manner
Neither use nor possess prohibited drugs nor participate in any other practice prohibited by the Academy

How does the programme work?
Members of the SOR are all still at school and so there is limited opportunity for regular contact time with players spread over a large area. The programme is based around a series of Monday evening sessions for Surrey and Sussex which take place at either Brighton Rugby Club for Sussex players or the Surrey Sports Park, Guildford, for Surrey boys. The Inner London (Surrey Satellite) will just train during the school holidays.

Day camps for all groups will take place at all venues during each school holiday or half-term. Dates for all sessions are published at the start of each programme. It is appreciated that not all school half-term dates coincide - the dates selected reflect when the majority of players are available.

In addition to these sessions, the players (U15 upwards) are expected to attend one our weight training centres for instruction in weight training technique. These venues and times will be clearly identified to players and parents. Later in the programme, players will be expected to put these techniques into practice, performing two additional strength sessions per week using school or local facilities. These are not to be attempted until programmes are issued by the Academy staff.

Medical Matters
Physiotherapy will be available at all SOR sessions and ongoing support will be available for any player injured during the SOR programme. Other than this, although advice will still be available through the academy staff, treatment for rugby injuries will need to be provided locally in the normal manner.