Gibson welcomes bumper Academy intake
By Mark Stevens
4/3/20
Exeter Chiefs Academy manager Rob Gibson says his job of unearthing new and exciting talent has been made all the more easier thanks to the support he receives from Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter.
With 10 new players set to enter the club’s senior ranks next season, Gibson has spoken of his delight at the way in which the Devon club’s hierarchy offer their backing to his Academy staff.
“Rob’s support of the pathway, together with the understanding and knowledge of our youngsters, helps provide such motivation for our players and staff coming through the system,” said Gibson.
“All the time, Rob is continually asking who is coming through and in what positions. For us working in the academy, it’s great that he has so much interest in what we are doing and how we want to develop players.
“His interest, coupled with that of the other senior coaches, means we are able to put in place some fantastic long-term plans which, we hope, then reap rewards for the club and the academy further down the line.”
Certainly, Baxter has shown over the years that he is never afraid to give youth its chance, a point well illustrated in the fact that half of last season’s side that appeared in the Premiership Rugby Final came through the club’s academy ranks.
International stars such as Jack Nowell, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Henry Slade, Ben Moon and Sam Simmonds are all products of the club’s highly-successful academy pathway – a route which a number of others are now set to embark on.
Gibson today announced that the following players Tom Cairns, Shea Cornish, Archie Hill, Harry Hocking, Iwan Jenkins, Dan Johns, Matt Johnson, Christ Tschiunza, Harry Wilkinson and Tom Wyatt will all start training with the Chiefs senior squad from July.
The new intake have all been part of the club’s various pathway links, which include Exeter College, Truro College and Exeter University, as well as the club’s apprenticeship programme.
“A great deal of reward and recognition must go to our two academy bases at Exeter and Truro Colleges,” added Gibson. “Each year they continue to produce players worthy of further inclusion.
“The staff and colleges continue to provide an excellent balance of education and rugby requirements – and working alongside our own staff, they understand the needs of producing the right kind of people. I cannot praise those guys enough for identifying and developing these lads from such a young age.”
Equally, the University pathway continues to support and produce players, several of whom will be able combine playing with furthering their own educational needs.
All ten players are expected to embark on pre-season with the Chiefs in July and Gibson says it’s the work they put in now they will help prepare them for the next stage in their development.
“The next four or five months are a critical time for the staff and the players as this is where the new intake will increase their activity levels at Sandy Park,” said Gibson. “It’s so important for us to have the players in the best possible condition, both physically and mentally, for senior training in July.
“During this period, the colleges and the club will work together closely to ensure everything is put in place to prepare these players for this next step. Communication between those pathways is crucial, but it will also ensure no stone is left unturned in terms of how we want things to progress.”