Who can apply for the Academy?
Any player with a interest in pursuing a professional rugby career and has a reputable CV. Our full time program mainly consists out of players age 18 – 21. Our recruits need to successfully complete the selection process that includes registration, coaches interview, a personal video presentation and game video uploads. We only select 12 players every year to join the academy, to ensure that we offer a quality based program and intensive individual attention.
How does one become an Elite All Star?
Senior club players joining our full time or part time programs automatically fall into our senior players category. The individual player that performs to our standards will be promoted into our Elite players groups, that competes in high level 7s tournaments both locally and Internationally. This includes qualifying to play for the Blue Bulls 7s team. Players selected from our Academy recruits that obtain High Performance status will automatically be promoted into our Elite squad. We do have a development squad named, the Blue Quins and the focus of this group is to compete within a group that will promote playing experience and help gain confidence with players on the same level of skill and conditioning.
How can I join the All Stars on an International tour?
Any player with a reputable CV and that has access to the necessary funds can join our training camps and get the opportunity to be selected for one of our International tours. We have tours available for players ages 16 – 18 that are still in school and ages 19 and up for senior club players. Our tours include destinations such as Las Vegas, California, Texas, Namibia, Zambia, Kenya, Germany, Spain, Prague, Singapore and Dubai. These tours specifically focuses on 7s tournaments of very high calibre. Our teams are selected on merit and as the defending champions of most tournaments, we do not allow our focus on prestige to be misguided. Simply register yourself on our website and we will get in touch with you.
Can a 15 man player join the Academy?
Certainly a 15 man player can join the academy and full time program. The academy has access to a full 15 man season with our partners at Harlequins (Pretoria) and they have both the opportunity to be trained on our high performance skill and conditioning programs but also to pursue a career in the 15 man code. Our academy coaches take charge of the coaching of teams at Harlequins and therefore can ensure full exposure. We offer access to our super league teams, junior Currie Cup opportunities at various unions and our exchange program abroad in 15 man teams. The key to our success with these types of players is that we have direct access to specialist coaches to target positional specific requirements and present a player to various institutions that is perfectly conditioned and skilled for the required position.
What is the duration of the academy?
The full time academy program runs for 10 months from February to December. Upon completing your first year at ASRA, you will be invited to continue towards our 2nd year group that competes on a more regular and pro-amateur level. This will also then lead to the opportunity to be placed abroad or qualify to be part of our exchange programs abroad. It is imperative that our first year students focus on the completion of their professional training to ensure that they have the skill and conditioning to be selected for our various teams and promotion to our elite squads.
Must I stay at ASRA accommodation while in the academy?
No, players are welcome to arrange their own accommodation or stay at home in Pretoria, while part of the program. The main goal of the accommodation at ASRA is to present our players with the complete “American phrat house style student experience” and to be part of hostel traditions and experience our annual “koshuis vs dorp” tradition and all the expectations school leavers have when leaving home for their 1st year as a student.