DMP Sharks are delighted to announce an exciting new partnership with Hartlepool Sixth Form College. The partnership includes Hartlepool 6th Form becoming one of only ten Colleges in the country that will be a DiSE (Diploma in Sporting Excellence) Academy for Women’s Rugby. DiSE is a government funded programme designed to directly measure the athletes’ ability to plan, apply and evaluate their development in the appropriate aspects of rugby.

Hartlepool's Women’s Rugby Academy currently compete in the AOC Sport North East, Yorkshire and Humber league, they have also qualified to represent the North East in the National Championships this year and have planned a trip to Rosslyn Park Seven’s tournament. Hartlepool 6th Form work with the talented local clubs that continue to invest in and develop female rugby.

The partnership will see Hartlepool 6th Form students being coached by DMP Sharks coaches including Head of Programmes Justin Loveridge and Co-Head Coach Tamara Taylor. The students will also receive weekly strength and conditioning sessions from DMP coaches.

Speaking at the launch of the new partnership, Loveridge commented: "We're delighted to be partnering with Hartlepool 6th Form College rugby academy to help give talented athletes the opportunity to achieve their potential. I'm sure the partnership will enhance the playing opportunity and standard in the North."

Hartlepool's Academies Coordinator Ian Hewitt added: “This is an exciting partnership for our Women’s Rugby Academy and continues to demonstrate that we deliver high level sport performance programmes alongside an excellent education here at Hartlepool Sixth Form. The opportunity for our students to work with Tamara Taylor and Justin Loveridge on a weekly basis will help to take their development as Rugby players to the next level.”

Hartlepool 6th Form continues to lead the way in offering a path for students wanting to study and play sport at an elite level. The College is a Dual Career Accredited Centre by TASS (Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme) and have recently produced excellent results across the College an outstanding 100% pass rate in 20 A-Level subjects including, Maths, English, History and Computing Science, with a total of 74% of students achieving the top A*- C grades. The student athletes can study A-Levels or vocational subjects and their Academy is fitted around their full-time study programme.

In addition to spending time on the pitch working on the technical and tactical elements of rugby, the DiSE programme will cover a range of learning modules including:

• Technical and Tactical skills
• Strength & Conditioning
• Psychology
• Nutrition
• Media and Communication Skills
• Career Development and Teamwork
• Communication
• Wellbeing
• Lifestyle Management
• Health and Safety
• Culture, values and behaviours

For more information on the Women’s Rugby Academy you can email Hartlepool's Academies Coordinator, Ian Hewitt, ian.hewitt@hartlepoolsixth.ac.uk, or you can apply online at www.hartlepoolsixth.ac.uk. If you would like to come and visit the college they have an open event on Wednesday 13th 4:30pm until 7:30pm at Hartlepool 6th Form College, Brinkburn Road, Hartlepool, TS25 5PF.