Ealing break new ground after linking up with Aussie schools giants

Ealing Trailfinders have broken new ground with a trans-continental partnership with acclaimed Australian rugby school St Joseph’s Nudgee College.

The school has produced 27 Wallabies to date, including Rocky Elsom, Elton Flatley and James O’Connor and featured as part of the RugbyPass documentary series – ‘The Season’.

A school of over 1,700 students, the Nudgee College Rugby program boasts 90 coaches and have a wealth of know-how in producing first grade rugby athletes.

The new partnership will see opportunities for students “to play and gain experience in high-level rugby programs internationally” whilst continuing their schooling. “Both the students and the two clubs will benefit from a cross-over of knowledge sharing amongst the coaches and staff” a statement reads.

Sean Graham, Nudgee Rugby Director, said of the partnership that: “We have a growth mindset in all areas of school life and are constantly striving for improvement. To be able to connect and collaborate with an organisation like Ealing Trailfinders, who share such a rich history and similar values, is something I fully embrace. We have a large rugby program with nearly 800 players and 90 coaches, the more opportunities we can provide for our players and coaches, particularly of this quality, the better”.

Simon Sinclair, Chief Operating Officer of Ealing Trailfinders Academy and Women’s Programme, flew to Brisbane to spend time at the school and to witness first hand how the programme operates.

“Simon spent a week at our school last week and we are completely aligned on the possibilities that this partnership will bring to both organisations and can’t wait to watch it flourish.”

Episode 6 – The Season with Nudgee College

Nudgee prepares for their final game of the season, if they win, they'll be the only undefeated team in GPS rugby ?https://t.co/HojXkZLWWz pic.twitter.com/qVgwoClBNI

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 24, 2022

Sinclair said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be able to partner with St Joseph’s Nudgee College. From meeting with their Rugby Director Sean Graham, understanding his coaching philosophy and being shown round their facilities, I’m hugely excited to get started with this partnership.

“Their rich history and consistency for producing such high quality athletes is unrivaled and it will be great to work with one of the most successful rugby schools in Australia.”