North Midlands Under 18’s (inc U17’s) Season 2026 – 2027
Assessment Evening – Wednesday 21st October at Stourbridge RFC at 6.00pm
Training 1 – Sunday 25th October at TBC at 2.00pm
Training 3 – Wednesday 28th October at TBC starting at 6.30pm
Training 4 – Sunday 1st November at TBC starting at 2.00pm
Pre match training 1 – Monday 16th November at TBC starting at 6.30pm
Super Sunday 1 – Sunday 22nd November at TBC
Pre match training 2 – Monday 30th November at TBC starting at 6.30pm
Super Sunday 2 – Sunday 6th December at TBC
Pre match training 3 – Monday 14th December at TBC starting at 6.30pm.
Super Sunday 3 – Sunday 20th December at TBC
Required outcome:
The North Midlands wishes to select a squad of approximately 38 players to attend sessions in preparation for matches leading to potential selection for the Midlands Divisional Squad. All players seen at the assessments will be graded so that if not initially selected in the squad they may be called upon in the event of injury or non-availability. (38 normally = 2 teams + whole spare front row + lock or back row + 2 half backs + 2 spare backs.)
Players not able to attend the initial assessment for bonafide reasons:
The Coaches and Management reserve the right to consider, at subsequent assessment sessions, players who, being known to meet the playing standards expected, are demonstrably unable to attend the initial assessment session. ‘Academy’ players fully involved in the Academy Elite Squads will not be eligible for the North Midlands ‘aspirational’ pathway. Any other ‘Academy’ players, ie those on what is sometimes referred to as the ‘amber’ list, must normally play for their Counties to be considered by North Midlands. (At some stage, normally at the start of September, a document will be published setting out the eligibility of various players at the Gloucester Academy. We will attempt to make this available to the Counties as soon as we can. Given that the first assessment is not until late October it is expected that Counties will contact such players and include them in their squads.)
County Squads:
Squad size and ages. (NB U17’s are eligible and the squad should be selected based upon current ability not age and not potential):
County (District) Squads may consist of a maximum of 20 players to include sufficient ‘spare’ front row to complete a game / cover non-appearance. Should a County (District) wish to ask others to attend in case of last minute drop-outs they should make it clear to such players that they WILL NOT be asked to play unless they are in the final ‘22’. The age group eligible is that based upon those players ‘under 18 years of age on 1st September 2026’. Players must be born ON OR AFTER 1st September 2008. PLEASE NOTE: Players may be U18 or U17 and should qualify only on ability. Please be aware of ACE clashes, such lads must commit to our programme to be eligible.
| Assessment arrangements: | |
| Venue: | Stourbridge RFC |
| Date: | Wednesday 21st October 2026 |
| Timing: | To commence at 6.00pm: Herefordshire v Worcestershire (35 min one way)To commence at 6.45 pm: Shropshire v Birmingham (35 min one way)To commence at 7.35pm: Draw to be made following the first two gamesFinal session at 8.20pm: Draw to be made following the first two gamesIt is anticipated that play will conclude by 9.00pm approx. |
| Assessment rules: | Substitutions: There are to be no substitutions, nor positional changes, during a game except for injury. Squad participation: Every member of a squad is to play a minimum of one complete ‘game’; either the first or the second. Kicks for goal: There are to be no conversions nor penalty kicks for goal. Penalty kicks for touch may be taken from anywhere. |
| Selection: | County squads are asked to nominate one of their members of staff to be able to attend the selection meeting and to undertake to inform players of selection where necessary AND TO UNDERTAKE TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK TO ALL THE PLAYERS TO HAVE REPRESENTED THE COUNTY AT THE ASSESSMENT SESSION. The N Mids coaches / assessors will not provide further feedback at this stage of the process, so it is up to the County / District to do that following the meeting. |
Paperwork:
Squad Lists – IT IS MOST IMPORTANT THAT AT LEAST 48 HOURS BEFORE THE ASSESSMENT THE DISTRICT EMAIL me (mdtsampson@outlook.com) A COMPLETED TYPED COPY OF THE TEAM LIST FORM GIVING THE SHIRT NUMBER / BEST POSITION OF EACH PLAYER. NB: IT IS IMPERITIVE TO AVOID CONFUSION THAT, WHATEVER POSITION A PLAYER TAKES UP, HE WEARS THE SHIRT NUMBER GIVEN ON THE SQUAD SHEET. THIS IS BECAUSE TO AVOID ANY POTENTIAL ISSUES WITH GDPR THE PLAYERS WILL BE REFERRED TO BY THEIR SHIRT NUMBER RATHER THAN THEIR NAME – THEY MUST KEEP THE SAME NUMBER THROUGHOUT.A copy of the form is attached – it MUST be TYPED into. (This is to allow me to complete the assessment paperwork before the event saving much time and trouble on the day.) (Please don’t send me handwritten lists and please DO GET THE CORRECT SPELLING of a lad’s name!)
Playing kit:
Players should wear numbered shirts and MUST keep the same number throughout the trial. Hence Counties are asked to ensure that they have a set of 22 shirts numbered 1 to 22. (Confusion over player identity is a constant problem – please do your very best to ensure that each player has an identifiable shirt and KEEPS THE SAME ONE whatever position they play!!) Assessment discussions and decisions will be based upon shirt number, names will not be involved at this stage.
| Role | Contact | Home Tel | Mobile | |
| Chairman of Selectors | Mike Sampson | 07881 307791 | mdtsampson@outlook.com | |
| Team Manager & Administrator | Rae Evans | 07809 171726 | rae2412@aol.com |
Here’s the link for the U18’s boys 25/26 season details: