Newcastle Falcons are delighted to announce a new partnership with Bede Sixth Form College.
Bede will host the Falcons’ second ACE programme, building on the success of the existing partnership with Gosforth Academy.
ACE, which stands for Academy Colleges and Education, aims to bring rugby into the state school sector, giving further opportunities for more players to access a high level of playing and training whilst being educated.
The Falcons’ partnership with Gosforth Academy has already seen a number of graduates representing the club on the senior stage, including England internationals Callum Chick and Jamie Blamire. It is hoped that through the partnership with Bede they can replicate this success.
The new Professional Game Partnership sees all Premiership clubs doubling their ACE provision from one to two programmes, with Newcastle Falcons’ academy manager James Ponton excited to link up with Bede Sixth Form College in Billingham.
“We have spent a year getting to this point, and it’s great to have this offering in the southern part of our region,” said Ponton.
“The areas around Stockton, Billingham, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough have long been a hotbed of sporting talent, and the senior management team at Bede Sixth Form College are putting forward a great deal of initiative and resource to make this second scheme a success.”
Around 40 players will be invited to attend the college, evenly spread over years 12 and 13, with Bede playing games in the ACE League – initially a regional competition which becomes national during the later rounds.
“We had 28 expressions of interest from schools and colleges, of which 10 put forward formal tender proposals, and we are delighted to welcome Bede on board,” said Ponton.
“We will be advertising for an ACE manager very shortly and attending the college’s open evening this month (May 2025), looking for players to best utilise the programme.
“Patrick Jordan, Bede Sixth Form College’s principal, was extremely supportive when we met him, and their tender process had a great lead with Ian Hewitt as their strategic manager in sport and enrichment.
“The work starts now, but we are all excited about how well this could work for Bede, the surrounding area and Newcastle Falcons.”
Ian Hewitt, Bede’s strategic manager in sport and enrichment said: “We are excited and proud to be able to bring elite rugby training and competition to the Tees Valley through this partnership with Newcastle Falcons.
“The club has developed so many players over the years and looking at the success of their existing ACE programme with Gosforth Academy, it is fantastic to think what this could mean for up-and-coming talented young players from right across the Tees Valley.
“For those young athletes, the partnership could mean the opportunity to compete in the ACE programme without having to move out of the area, combined with an excellent academic offer at Bede, supporting their continued education and next steps.”
Bede’s principal Patrick Jordan said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the talented young rugby players we know that we have here in the Tees Valley. It feels like the start of something incredibly special to be able to work alongside, and see our students training with, a professional rugby union club that is the calibre of Newcastle Falcons."
To find out more about the ACE Academy and full-time study options at Bede Sixth Form head along to the college’s open event on Tuesday May 13, from 5pm to 7pm. Bede Sixth Form College offers a wide range of A level, A level equivalent and select full-time vocational courses for school leavers, which can be found at: www.bede.ac.uk
The college and Newcastle Falcons are also holding an ACE Academy Talent Identification Day on Sunday June 1, from 1pm to 5pm, at Billingham Rugby Club, Greenwood Road, Stockton. To book your place visit NEWCASTLE FALCONS & BEDE SIXTH FORM COLLEGE ACE ACADEMY TALENT ID DAY or for any further details email: Ian.Hewitt@stockton.ac.uk
