Rugby successes keep coming

Wednesday 26 May 2010

Myerscough College’s Rugby Academy are celebrating the success of two of their former students involved with Sale Sharks.

19-year-old Lee Imiolek, from Middlewich, Cheshire, made his first Premiership start for the first team in their last game of the season against Harlequins. Lee had already made several appearances from the bench this season after being one of two players who gained a contract last year. He has also been selected in the England Junior World Cup Team for Under 20 players.

Fellow 19-year-old Tom Brady, from Urmston, Manchester, was recently voted the Sale Sharks Academy player of the year, which recognises the progress he has made since leaving the College in 2009. Both Lee and Tom had studied the National Diploma in Rugby Studies at Myerscough.

As well as the success of Lee and Tom, the current Myerscough Rugby Academy has also enjoyed a fruitful year, winning the BCS (British Colleges Sport) National Cup, the North West 10 a-side and the BCS Elite League North, BCS North west Performance Cup,BCS North West Performance league as well as getting to the final of the AASE (Advanced Apprenticeship for Sporting Excellence) Academy Semi Finals.

Rod Murray, a Rugby Tutor at Myerscough College, commented: “It has been another extremely successful year for the Rugby Academy with the team being undefeated in all BCS Performance competitions. The continued success of both Lee and Tom is just the icing on the cake! Lee could not have played at a higher level this year and it was great to see him on television playing for England as well.”

The Myerscough Rugby Union Academy gives a unique opportunity to train as a professional athlete with quality professional coaching staff whilst studying in an excellent academic environment. Myerscough College is the accredited Rugby Football Union college for the North West and has developed its partnership with Sale Sharks and the RFU to become an Elite Player Development Centre for the North West.

The pictures show Tom Brady in action for Myerscough College last year and Lee Imiolek.