Wayne Thompson: Gloucester’s head of academy on finding next big talent

The importance of Gloucester’s academy has only grown in recent years as the club aims to cut its cloth and become more financially sustainable.

Owner Martin St Quinton has said Gloucester’s ambition is to financially break even and, as such, their reliance on developing young talent has only increased.

Thompson’s role as head of academy has, in many ways, never been more important. Even more so in light of wholesale changes made to its structure last summer.

As part of the Professional Game Partnership agreed between the Rugby Football Union, Premiership Rugby and Rugby Players’ Association announced in September, the geographical boundaries for the 10 Premiership clubs’ academies were re-drawn.

With Worcester and Wasps both no longer in the top flight, the boundaries of Gloucester’s patch has spread and now includes Birmingham, Worcestershire, Warwickshire and as far as Shropshire and Oxford, as well as Gloucestershire.

The setup for academies across the league has also altered and must encompass three phases – a foundation phase for age 15-16; a development phase for 17-18; and a confirmation phase, otherwise known as the senior academy, for those up to the age of 23.

“The key thing for us as a club is having an affinity with the whole catchment now,” Thompson said.

“You’ve got a natural affinity with the local area in and around Gloucester but how do we create that cultural connection with those Midland areas, Oxford, Henley?

“The more we engage with the community and the academy, through stakeholders – schools, clubs, parents, you’ll start to see that grow.”