The Mill Hill School Foundation has announced a new partnership with Saracens rugby club that will increase pupils’ chances of launching a professional career in the sport.
The partnership will establish an official pathway with the Saracens Men’s Academy at Mill Hill School; allowing it to develop talented young rugby players within the school with aspirations to play for the Saracens men’s team.
It then aims to maximise opportunities for female athletes who can progress into the Saracens Women’s rugby and Saracens Mavericks netball squads.
A statement from Saracens said: “Saracens has a strong ‘build from within’ mentality and the partnership will allow us to invest even more time in young people who have huge potential and drive.
“Equally important are the shared values of Saracens and Mill Hill School; an aspiration to build caring, determined, hardworking, passionate and well-rounded individuals.
“This partnership offers an opportunity for academy players to play together throughout their school years to build the foundation for future professional rugby and netball careers. At Saracens, it is important to us to develop our players off the pitch as well as on it, and education forms an important part of this.
“The world-class education provided by Mill Hill School will give our academy players a great opportunity to learn and develop.”
Means-tested bursaries and scholarships will be made available to families to ensure this opportunity is open to the most talented applicants.
The Official School Pathway partnership will also see both Saracens and Mill Hill Schools commit to sharing each other’s training facilities.
The pathway programme will be headed up by Chris Bajak, a dual-appointed head of performance rugby for both Mill Hill School and Saracens. He will focus on building the Mill Hill rugby team, providing continuity in coaching philosophy, and ultimately signposting key players for the Saracens Academy programme.
Aaron Liffchak, director of sport and rugby at Mill Hill School, said: “Working alongside Saracens, one of Europe’s most successful rugby clubs, will inspire and excite the communities across all our schools. Saracens have a proven track record of developing players from grassroots to an elite level from the UK and across the world, and I am delighted that we have partnered with such a renowned club.”