Rugby Academy player signs his first semi-professional contract

An emerging rugby talent has signed his first semi-professional contract with a West Midlands club just weeks after completing his college education.

Freddie Painter, who studied BTEC Level 3 Sport at Coventry College and graduated in 2022, has signed for Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club for the 2022-23 season.

The scrum half, who can also play any position in the back line, has joined up with the Moseley first-team, but will also feature for the club’s reserve side.

The Coventry-born 18-year-old learned his craft with Barker Butts RFC, having progressed through the Coventry club’s youth age groups before joining Coventry College’s Rugby Academy in 2020.

After a difficult first year that was disrupted by Covid-19, Freddie was voted Player’s Player of the Season by his teammates at the Coventry College Rugby Education Programme Awards at the end of his two-year course.

He is in line to make his first appearance for Birmingham Moseley having completed a full pre-season with the National League 1 side, which included coming off the bench against championship outfit Coventry Rugby in a friendly match at Butts Park Area.

Freddie said: “It’s a great feeling to be able to pursue a rugby career after graduating from college. I hope to continue on this path for as long as possible and I’m in a great place to do that.

“My coaches at Coventry College gave me a strong platform to always be motivated and push myself in every session, and that’s something I will definitely be carrying on at Birmingham Moseley.

“I’m looking forward to focussing on my game and playing at the highest level I can.”

Head of Rugby at Coventry College, Pete Glackin said: “Freddie has shown a fantastic attitude and appetite for learning and improving his game over the last two years.

“He was an outstanding performer consistently for the college programme and has been rewarded for his efforts. We wish him well for the future.”