Dorking RFC

The YDP seeks to support our players in their transition from youth to senior rugby and further development of our U14-U18 age group players and transitions them into Senior Rugby.

The YDP is in its fifth year and we’ve already seen players from year one representing the 1st and A XV senior teams. We have also been able to send one of those players onwards to the London Irish Academy to experience further development opportunities, which is a great accolade for what the YDP provides.

As we all know Rugby is a late maturation sport and our young players are taught not just physical aspects of rugby, but the general skills.

So we have split our John Douglas Youth Development Program into 2 parts:

YDP - Youth Development Programme
Focussed on skill aquisition and decision making for ages u14-u16

CDP - Colts Development Programme
Foccussed on Technical, Tactical, Physical, Nutritional and Social development

Each player has an IDP (Individual Development Programme) where individual goals are captured. Players are supported by our committed coaches to work towards their goals. 

The emphasis is on how Dorking RFC play their fixtures, this assists the youth players in their progression to senior rugby and the U21’s fixtures. The players need to embrace the YDP concept as they are the future senior players of Dorking RFC or indeed wherever they end up playing this wonderful sport;many of the principles of play come from from Armand Roux, our Director of Rugby.

Our CDP is supported by senior coaches like Cameron Cowell (England 7's), Delon Armitage (England), Tom Bristow (Hong Kong), Henry Birch (RFU Coach Developer) and our expereinced S&C Daniel Mackenzie (Who himself played for Zimbabwe and worked with Proteas and Springboks)

There  is no extra cost to enrol into our YDP or CDP programmes, all we ask for is good attendance and lots of enthusiasm. The Fun will happen naturally. 

Get in touch to find out more.

When does it start?

Tuesdays from August onwards 7-8:30pm

Who can attend?

YDP Any player from U14 to U16 Girls & Boys

CDP Colts Girls & Boys

What’s the Cost?

£ Nil - Just commitment to the programme.

How long does the programme run for?

The Programme runs in school term for both the Winter and Spring terms. Training may continue after Easter to be in line with the Rugby Season.

What will the players be doing?

Players will be doing structured rugby sessions based on general skill sets of the modern rugby player. Strength and Conditioning programmes from club S&C coaches. And guest sessions from current professional coaches, current players, ex-players and current referees from the premiership. A club physiotherapist is on duty on a Tuesday night for all YDP players.

Who are the coaches?:

All coaches on both programmes are minimum of RFU Level 2 qualified, DBS checked and completed all our safeguarding requirements like headcuse & mental wellbeing course. The programme is overseen been club Director of Rugby and run by the Head of Youth Development & Transition