After progressing from the JR. Warriors and Utah Youth Rugby players can look to participate in the newly-established Utah Warriors Academy. The Warriors Academy will develop aspiring high school players ages 14-18 into possible future Major League Rugby players. The Warriors Academy will be led by newly appointed Warriors assistant coach James Semple, who will also serve as the Warriors Academy Manager.

The Warriors Academy will be an elite supplementary development team in support of Utah Youth Rugby high school teams and All-Star programs. The Academy is set to launch in February with a player try-out on January 26th at the Zions Bank Real Academy. Spots for the inaugural Warriors Academy group will be limited to 40 players (20 U16 players and 20 U18 players).

“I’m really excited and honored to work with Utah Youth Rugby be the first Warriors Academy manager. To be able to come into an organization and put your own ideas, philosophies and skill sets into a young group of men and watch them grow into professional players is a coach’s dream. This program is a great opportunity for the Warriors to support the development of the best local talent and start ingraining ‘The Warriors Way’ into these players from a young age. The program is not only going to help develop these players rugby ability but also develop them as people physically and mentally.”
– James Semple, Utah Warriors Backs Coach

 

“The mission of Utah Youth Rugby is to build character in youth through rugby,Working hand in hand with the Utah Warriors Academy, our youth players will now have more opportunities to grow and develop into select side players. We are excited to see former Utah Youth Rugby All-Stars like Nolan Tuamoheloa, now part of the Warriors team. This partnership is the missing link for our players’ future aspirations.”

– Owen Power, President of Utah Youth Rugby