Press Release from Hereford Sixth Form College:
Hereford Sixth Form College is proud to announce a new and exciting partnership with Trailfinders Women, creating a clear and professional pathway for student rugby players to progress through to the Ealing Trailfinders University Academy programme at Brunel University London, and ultimately into professional rugby.
This collaboration brings together two organisations whose values are strongly aligned both being deeply player-centred and committed to providing young athletes with the support, education, and environment needed to thrive. At the heart of this partnership is a shared belief in offering real rugby opportunities, with players exposed to high-level coaching, competition, and professional pathways from an early stage.
Significantly, Brunel University London are now competing in BUCS Super Rugby, the top university rugby league in the UK. This reinforces the strength of the pathway and offers students a platform to play and train at the highest university level while pursuing their academic goals.
Ben Parfitt, Head of Women’s Rugby at Hereford Sixth Form College, said:
“We are really excited to partner with such an ambitious and forward-thinking rugby programme. Their values truly resonated with us, particularly their “player-first” approach -a philosophy that has always been at the heart of what we do.
Our women’s programme has gone from strength to strength in recent years. We’re incredibly proud to have seen eight of our players represent their countries at international level, and progress into Premiership clubs.
This new partnership with Trailfinders Women, through Brunel University, will provide a clear and exciting pathway into an elite Premiership environment. We can now offer our players another level of external support both on and off the field, alongside an exceptional educational setting – helping them thrive as athletes and individuals.”
Emma Cooper, Women’s Academy Manager at Trailfinders Rugby Academy, said:
“Hereford Sixth Form College is a great environment for aspirational rugby players to develop, learn and achieve. We’re excited to partner with an institution that not only values academic excellence but also understands the importance of nurturing young female athletes in a supportive and empowering environment.
At Trailfinders, we’re committed to building a pathway that truly works for girls and women in rugby—providing meaningful opportunities at every stage, from grassroots to elite level. Through this partnership, female players will be given the chance to develop their skills, grow their confidence, and step into high-level rugby environments with the tools they need to succeed.
It’s more than just rugby to us, it’s about developing well rounded individuals who can thrive in both sport and life. This partnership is a big step forward for the women’s game, and we are excited to see what the future holds.”
The pathway provides direct progression routes from Hereford Sixth Form College into the Ealing Trailfinders Elite University Rugby Academy, based at Brunel University London. It supports both academic achievement and high-performance rugby development, offering a well-rounded dual-career route that prepares players for success on and off the field.
Follow @hsfcwomensrugby on instagram or email bjp@hereford.ac.uk for more information
