In addition to the hugely successful work already undertaken in nurturing top young local talent, from this season onwards the Falcons put a total of eight youngsters through a full-time rugby and education course every year.

The Falcons have linked up with Gosforth High School, where the eight 16-year-olds will be full-time students for two years.

All eight students will undergo an NVQ in achieving excellence in sports performance, which will be delivered by Falcons coaches in conjunction with Gosforth High School. In addition to this the students will also study A-Levels or BTEC subjects of their own choosing, depending on their educational ability.

The scheme is endorsed by the Rugby Football Union and funded by the Learning Skills Council, having also received the backing of the Sports Minister.

This is a significant addition to the work the club already has going on in producing top quality young local players.

The scheme is designed mainly for students from state schools who do not have access to the private school rugby network. That system has produced a well-documented number of players but the Falcons acknowledge that it is not for everyone, so by getting involved with a top quality state school like Gosforth High the club believes it has the ideal setting for them to fulfil their goals both on the rugby and the academic side.

The aims are twofold. The first and obvious one is to produce talented young players who are capable of going on and taking the next step up to professional rugby when they leave the scheme at 18 years of age. The reality is that not everyone will be able to make that step, and therefore the second aim of the scheme is to prepare them for academic life or the workplace and somehow keep them involved in the game, be it as a referee, sports scientist, medic, social player or whatever best suits them.

Gosforth High has a choice of 40 A-Levels, so the boys can really choose courses that suit them best and we can tailor their program so everyone gets what they need out of it. In addition to those A-Levels the club believes it has put in place an excellent NVQ in achieving excellence in sports performance, which covers a number of key areas.

These include planning, developing and applying technical skills, physical conditioning, tactical skills, attitudes, mental techniques, planning and managing your own lifestyle, planning and managing your career, communicating effectively and health and safety.”