TackleLondon is proud to announce the launch of the TackleLondon Academy – a new development pathway designed to support young people who have shown strong enthusiasm, aptitude, or potential through our schools programme.
The Academy offers an additional midweek training session for selected students, creating a high-quality environment focused on skill development, confidence and connection. Players are identified and invited by TackleLondon coaches and school staff, ensuring the Academy remains a supportive, targeted space rather than an open trial system.
Bringing together students from across Croydon and Bromley, the Academy combines young people from seven secondary schools: Thomas More, Meridian High School, Chislehurst School for Girls, Bullers Wood School for Girls, Orchard Park, Riddlesdown and Harris Purley. By training together, participants benefit from exposure to different styles, peers, and experiences, while building camaraderie beyond individual school settings.
The programme is intentionally invite-only in its early stages, prioritising accessibility and development over competition. There are currently 25 students signed up, with numbers expected to evolve as the Academy settles into its rhythm. Sessions take place weekly at Croydon RFC, with the first session led by TackleLondon Coach and Programme Manager, Aidan Brennan.
Reflecting on the Academy’s early success, Aidan shared:
“We’re seeing every type of young person come through the door — those who don’t usually attend after-school clubs, footballers giving rugby a go, and girls choosing this space because it works for them. Young people are travelling in from across the area, from Coulsdon to Dartford, and they’re galvanising together.
There are high expectations, clear standards, and real personability in the sessions. Even after just two weeks, the camaraderie forming between the players is powerful to watch.”
The Academy sits firmly within TackleLondon’s schools-led model, offering a development bridge that keeps young people engaged, supported, and motivated in a safe, structured environment.
The launch of the TackleLondon Academy marks a significant step forward in our work: expanding opportunities, deepening impact, and creating new pathways for young people to grow, belong, and believe in themselves.
