Norwich School pupil Freddie Steward (U5V) has this week been awarded a place at the Leicester Tigers Academy. Freddie’s selection comes off the back of four years training with the Tigers on their Developing Player Programme (DPP) as well as his strong performances in fixtures against other academies and the Wellington festival in April.
Dave Wilks, Leicester Tigers Academy Manager, said “Freddie has come through the U16s year very well” whilst Freddie added ‘I’m delighted to be given the opportunity. I’m in a really good place to develop my rugby with the strong strength and conditioning setup at the school as well as the competitive fixture list.’
Freddie, who joined Norwich School in Form 1, played every game for 1st XV this season, starting all fourteen games. He has been invited to join the academy for the next two years and will return to training after his GCSE examinations and continue throughout the summer holiday with regular camps and festivals.
Toby Grieves, Head of Rugby at Norwich School, said ‘We are understandably delighted for Freddie who has worked very hard to get to this stage and thoroughly deserves his selection. We also very are pleased to be working alongside Leicester Tigers in Freddie's development which will see him combining weekly sessions down at Leicester in the Michaelmas Term while studying for his A-levels and continuing playing for the 1st XV'.
The school have strong links with Leicester Tigers, current Tigers player and U20 World Cup Winner George Catchpole was at the school until 2009, while several junior players are currently part of the DPP, which runs through the Michaelmas and Lent terms. Leicester Tigers are one of the country’s most successful teams and have reached the Aviva Premiership play-offs this season as they search for a record 11th title.