Girls' Rugby Programme
Develop your rugby alongside your education, with a clear pathway to your next step.
Rugby and education, together
The Activate Learning - City of Oxford College Girls' Rugby Programme is designed to support young female players who want to develop their rugby alongside their education, creating a pathway that prepares them for the next stage of their sporting and academic journey.
The rugby programme is based at our Harcourt Hill Campus in Oxford, providing a high-performance environment where players can develop their skills, understanding and confidence, while studying an academic programme at our main site, Oxpens Campus, that supports their future ambitions.
Players will have the opportunity to continue representing their school, club and county, while benefiting from a structured programme delivered by experienced rugby, Strength & Conditioning and sports support staff.
Everything you need to progress
- 12+ hours of dedicated rugby contact time each week
- Experienced and professional rugby coaching and development staff
- Strength & Conditioning, athletic development and injury-prevention support
- Access to medical and sports therapy support
- Individual player development and regular feedback
- Video analysis and rugby-specific education
- Pastoral support and guidance throughout your time at college
- High-quality training pitches at Harcourt Hill
- Access to dedicated Strength & Conditioning facilities
- Opportunities to gain additional sporting qualifications
- A clear pathway towards university, representative rugby and senior rugby
Choose your academic programme
The programme combines academic education, rugby development and personal development to help every player maximise their potential.
Players can study a BTEC National Diploma or a selection of A Levels at City of Oxford College, depending on their academic pathway and entry requirements. This combination allows players to continue their academic education while benefiting from an extensive rugby development programme.
Sport Coaching
Study the BTEC National Diploma in Sport Coaching at Oxpens Campus alongside the rugby programme.
Entry requirements are listed on the course page.
Sport and Exercise Science
Study the BTEC National Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science at Oxpens Campus alongside the rugby programme.
Entry requirements are listed on the course page.
Selected A Level subjects
Study a selection of A Level subjects at Oxpens Campus alongside the rugby programme.
Entry requirements vary by subject. Subjects are listed on our A Levels page. Please refer to the individual subjects for specific requirements.
Our aim is to develop more than just rugby players. We want to help young women become confident, resilient and independent student-athletes, equipped with the skills to succeed both on and off the pitch.
Built around each player
The rugby programme is built around the individual needs of each player. Players will develop the technical, tactical, physical and psychological skills required to perform effectively in the modern women's game. Training will include:
The programme is designed to complement club rugby rather than replace it. Players will be encouraged to continue playing for their club and county at weekends, subject to appropriate fixtures and player welfare considerations. Players will also be encouraged to take ownership of their development, understand their own performance and build the habits required to progress to the next level.
From college rugby to the senior game
A key part of the City of Oxford College Girls' Rugby Programme is our connection with Brunel University and Ealing Trailfinders Women, providing players with a clear pathway to continue their development beyond college. Our programme is designed to help players progress from 16-18 rugby into university and senior women's rugby, with opportunities to experience and understand the demands of higher-level performance environments.
- 16-18 rugby and educationCity of Oxford College
- University performance environmentBrunel University
- Senior game and the PWR pathwayEaling Trailfinders Women
Through our links with Brunel University, players can explore opportunities to continue their education while progressing their rugby within a university performance environment.
Our relationship with Ealing Trailfinders Women also provides a connection to the senior game and the PWR pathway, helping players understand what is required to progress towards higher levels of women's rugby.
The aim is to create a clear and supported pathway for ambitious female players, while recognising that every player's journey will be different. Whether a player progresses into university rugby, senior club rugby, representative rugby or a professional environment, we will work with them to identify the right next step for their individual development.
Players may progress into
- University rugby
- BUCS rugby
- Regional and representative rugby
- Senior club rugby
- Professional and semi-professional environments
- Coaching, Strength & Conditioning, sports therapy or other career paths
The pathway helps you develop
- Technical and tactical rugby skills
- Physical preparation and athletic development
- Performance analysis and game understanding
- Professional training habits
- Leadership and communication
- Independence and personal responsibility
- An understanding of the demands of senior women's rugby
Study at Oxpens, train at Harcourt Hill
Together, Oxpens and Harcourt Hill give students the opportunity to combine a strong academic experience with a structured, high-performance rugby programme.
Oxpens Campus
Oxpens Campus provides a modern learning environment in the heart of Oxford, giving students access to high-quality teaching, learning and student support facilities. For Girls' Rugby Programme players, Oxpens provides an excellent academic environment alongside the high-performance rugby programme at Harcourt Hill.
Students can benefit from:
- Modern teaching and learning spaces
- Dedicated student support and pastoral services
- Access to a wide range of academic opportunities
- A vibrant student community in the heart of Oxford
- Easy access to the wider opportunities and facilities across City of Oxford College
Harcourt Hill Campus
Our Girls' Rugby Programme is based at the Harcourt Hill Campus, giving players an ideal environment in which to train and develop, with on-site accommodation available. Being based at Harcourt Hill allows players to bring together their rugby training and wider personal development within a supportive environment.
The campus provides access to:
- Rugby pitches
- Strength & Conditioning facilities
- Sports and fitness facilities
- Student support services
- On-site en-suite accommodation, Sunday to Friday (subject to interview)
- The Club House (social space)
Living at Harcourt Hill
Our accommodation at Harcourt Hill is primarily for our rugby students. Students need to have applied for our academic pathway (Oxpens Campus) and been invited onto the rugby pathway before they will be invited to interview for accommodation.
Our students at Harcourt Hill are aged 16-18. Accommodation staff are on site 24 hours a day and available for students and parents to contact. Our goal is to ensure that all students feel safe, respected and supported during their time in college accommodation.
- Your own roomIndividual bedrooms, each with an en-suite
- Shared flatsCommunal kitchen, lounge and diner
- Single-sexAll flats are single-sex
- 24/7 staffAccommodation staff on site at all times
Who the programme is for
The Girls' Rugby Programme is designed for students aged 16-18. Applications will be considered once you have applied for our academic pathway.
Academic
Academic entry requirements depend on the course you choose:
- BTEC National Diploma in Sport Coaching: 4 GCSEs at grade 4, including English and Maths
- BTEC National Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science: 5 GCSEs at grade 5, including English, Maths and Science
- A Levels: a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade 5, plus individual subject criteria
Please check the specific course page before you apply.
Rugby
We will consider:
- Your rugby experience
- Current club and county involvement
- Playing position and development potential
- Rugby CV and playing history
- Performance at trial
- Attitude, commitment and willingness to learn
How the application works
Joining the Girls' Rugby Programme is a two-part process. You apply for your academic course and, alongside this, you need to be selected for the rugby programme. Applying for a course on its own does not guarantee a place on the rugby programme.
Your academic application
Your rugby selection
Take your next step with us
The City of Oxford College Girls' Rugby Programme is an opportunity to combine education, rugby and personal development in a supportive, high-performance environment.
Whether your ambition is to play representative or senior rugby, progress into university sport, or simply become the best player you can be, our programme will help you build the skills, confidence and understanding to take your next step.
We Are Activate Rugby AcademyOne Family. Seen. Supported. Challenged.