Winterbottom hooks up with top academy (From Gazette Series)

Winterbottom hooks up with top academy

OLIVER WINTERBOTTOM, a Year Ten student at Rednock School in Dursley, has been selected for Gloucester RFC's rugby academy.

The youngster, who is also a star player in Dursley Rugby Club's youth set-up, will train with the academy and will receive one-to-one personal training from the director of the academy, Carl Douglas.

There will also be the opportunity for other selected students to join Oliver in skills-based training.

Rednock headteacher David Alexander said: "This is a fantastic achievement by Oliver. He has done extremely well.

"Oliver's progress will be monitored closely both from a rugby point of view and an academic one."

Rednock School and Gloucester RFC have both emphasised the importance of academic study to complement the rugby side of things.

It is hoped that this is the beginning of a strong and positive relationship between the school and Gloucester.

Mr Alexander added: "We want to build on this, so that the academy becomes firmly established here."

"We are very grateful to Carl Douglas as well as Mr and Mrs Winterbottom, who have worked tirelessly to bring a high quality rugby programme to Rednock School in addition to our own."