Rugby Education Programme Excels at Portugal Youth Festival

The Coventry College Rugby Education Programme has once again proven its excellence on the international stage, delivering a stellar performance at the prestigious Portugal Youth Festival in Lisbon. Competing at the U19 level, the team achieved their best-ever result, finishing in an impressive 3rd place overall after two days of intense, high-level competition.

The 9th annual tour to Portugal stands as a testament to the programme’s commitment to developing young talent and providing invaluable international rugby experience.

Day One: The Group Stage

On the opening day, Coventry College faced a formidable group featuring teams from Portugal, the USA, and Zimbabwe. Undaunted, the team rose to the challenge with a clean sweep of three consecutive wins:

• Vs Simsbury (USA): 29-0 win
• Vs GDS Cascais (Portugal): 20-13 win
• Vs CBC Bulawayo (Zimbabwe): 26-7 win

The squad’s remarkable performances, characterised by their skill, teamwork, and determination, saw them top their group and secure a place in the semi-finals.

Day Two: A Test of Character and Resilience

Day two began with a highly anticipated semi-final rematch against GDS Cascais, one of Portugal’s elite teams. Despite a significant effort and unwavering determination, Coventry narrowly missed out on a final spot, losing 19-5.

In the 3rd/4th place playoff, Coventry faced off against fellow English side, RFU ACE Myerscough College, Sale Sharks Academy in a thrilling and fiercely contested match. The game ended in a hard-fought 10-10 draw, but Coventry claimed 3rd place based on try count. A proud achievement for the team and a historic milestone as their highest finish at the tournament.

Kelly Ward, Curriculum Manager for Sport and Public Services added “As Curriculum Manager, I couldn’t be prouder of our incredible staff and learners for their performance at the Rugby tournament in Portugal. Finishing third on an international stage is a testament to their hard work, teamwork, and determination. They represented the college with skill, spirit, and pride, and were an absolutely credit to themselves, their families and the Rugby Education programme.”

The Portugal Youth Festival offered more than just competition; it provided an invaluable platform for Coventry College students to test themselves against top level international youth rugby talent. Throughout the tournament, the players embodied the values of respect, resilience, and sportsmanship, representing Coventry College with pride and professionalism.

The trip also offered cultural and personal development opportunities, with students gaining exposure to different styles of play and a deeper understanding of the global rugby community.

Pete Glackin, Head of the Rugby Programme stated “The Portugal trip offered an unforgettable experience for the Coventry College rugby students, both on and off the field. Competing against teams from America, Portugal, and Zimbabwe was a truly unique opportunity—one that the students will remember for years to come. Over the course of the two-day tournament, the squad displayed outstanding determination and teamwork. Their efforts were justly rewarded with an impressive 3rd place finish out of 12 teams, a testament to the commitment and dedication shown by everyone involved.”

The Coventry College Rugby Education Programme continues to grow as a hub of sporting excellence, combining academic studies with elite-level rugby training. The annual tour to Portugal is a highlight of the programme, offering students the chance to compete on the international stage while building lifelong skills.

With their best ever finish at the Portugal Youth Festival under their belts, the team is already looking ahead to future challenges and opportunities. The programme aims to build on this success, inspiring more young athletes to join and achieve their potential both on and off the field.