North Midlands Under 17’s Season 2026 – 2027
Assessment Evening – Wednesday 21st April 2027 at Stourbridge RFC at 6.00pm
Training 1 – Sunday 25th April 2027 at Kidderminster RFC (TBC) at 2.00pm.
Training 2 – Sunday 2nd May 2027 at Kidderminster RFC (TBC) at 2.00pm
Game 1 – Sunday 9th May 2027 away against Cheshire
Game 2 – Sunday 16th May 2027 at Stourbridge RFC (TBC) against Warwickshire
Game 3 – Sunday 23rd May 2027 at Stourbridge RFC (TBC) against Staffordshire
Required outcome:
The North Midlands wishes to select a squad of a maximum of 38 players to attend sessions in preparation for three matches. 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 subsequently consider (if necessary) 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 play for their Counties to be considered by North Midlands. (At some stage, before the Assessment Evening, 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 later in April it is expected that Counties will contact such players and include them in their squads.)
County Squads:
Squad size and ages:.
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 ‘20’. The age group eligible is that based upon those players ‘under 17 years of age on 1st September 2026’.Players must be born ON OR AFTER 1st September 2009. PLEASE NOTE: Players should qualify only on ability. Please be aware of ACE clashes, such lads must commit to our programme to be eligible.
Players selected by their County should play in their preferred position. Players selected to play in an alternative position than their preferred position may be putting themselves at a disadvantage.
| Assessment arrangements: | |
| Venue: | Stourbridge RFC |
| Date: | Wednesday 21st April 2027 |
| 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 or a card. 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 on the pitch. |
| 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. |
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