Teachers from across North London and Hertfordshire came together at StoneX Stadium this week to take part in a free rugby training session, helping to bring the sport to more young people in local schools.
The session formed part of the Gallagher Touchline Academy, a free teacher training programme created in partnership with PREM Rugby and Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) clubs, designed to give teachers the skills, confidence and resources to introduce rugby in schools, with no previous experience of the sport required.
Led by Saracens community coaches, participating teachers received hands-on training and practical guidance to help them deliver rugby lessons to pupils of all abilities.
Teachers were also joined by Toby Knight, Nathan Michelow and Jack Bracken from Saracens, who made a special appearance at the session to share their experience of the sport and offer practical advice on introducing rugby to young people. The player also took part in the training activities, helping teachers build their confidence and develop the skills needed to bring rugby into their classrooms.
Speaking about the Gallagher Touchline Academy, Toby Knight said:
“Rugby wasn’t something I had the opportunity to play at school, so I know first-hand how important initiatives like the Gallagher Touchline Academy are in making the sport more accessible to young people. Rugby has given me so much, both on and off the pitch, and I think every child should have the opportunity to experience what the sport has to offer. Teachers play such an important role in introducing children to new sports, so it’s great to see Gallagher giving them the confidence and skills to bring rugby into their schools. Hopefully, programmes like this will help more young people discover a love for the game, regardless of their background or previous experience.”
Since launching in May 2025, the Gallagher Touchline Academy has already supported over 500 teachers across the UK, with an estimated 75,000 pupils benefitting as a result. Of those who have completed the programme, 98% say they feel more confident delivering rugby lessons, while 96% plan to teach rugby in their school this year.
With over 20 sessions scheduled for the 2026/27 season, Gallagher is aiming to train 2,000 teachers by 2028, helping more young people experience the benefits of rugby.
Teachers interested in taking part can register for free and access in-person training, ready-made lesson plans, online resources and ongoing support from PREM Rugby and PWR community coaches.
To find out more and register, visit: https://www.ajg.com/uk/gallagher-premiership-rugby/touchline-academy/
