Exeter helps Chiefs win scrum for rugby premiership promotion

Exeter Chiefs share strong links with the University of Exeter and over recent years the mutual benefit of working closely together has paid off. The Chiefs reputation as a leading rugby club plays a major role in attracting talented young players to the University. Many of the University’s current rugby scholars train regularly with Exeter Chiefs, whose coaching resources and facilities have formed an invaluable part of the development of many Exeter students over the years. It is testament to the success of the rugby programme at the University of Exeter that many alumni have gone on to play professional rugby after leaving full-time education.

The University Men’s Rugby Club are part of the University’s very successful High Performance Unit, led by Nick Beasant Assistant Director of Sport responsible for Performance and Competitions. He said, ‘The club has developed hugely in recent years and I look forward to seeing Premiership rugby being played in Devon for the first time.’

Rob Baxter is the Chiefs Head Coach he was formally a coach with the University’s Men’s team where, as Director of Rugby, he led the University to a BUSA (British Universities Sports Association) Final at Twickenham in 2004.

As a further example of the Chiefs close ties to the University, the University’s current Director of Rugby, Keith Fleming, is also the current Community Development Manager at Exeter Chiefs. Fleming was delighted about winning the Championship and gaining promotion to the Premiership.  He said ‘This is an incredible achievement for the club. It is the result of many years of hard work both from the players on the pitch and the many staff behind the scenes. The strong relationship between the Club and the University is mutually beneficial to both and long may it continue.’

The Chiefs won promotion to the Premiership in a sensational 38 – 16 aggregate score in a two leg play-off with local rivals Bristol. Promotion caps a fantastic season for the Chiefs which saw them finish in second place behind Bristol in a competitive Championship league. The Exeter squad included three University of Exeter alumni in Neil Clark, James Hanks and Haydn Thomas who all played influential roles in the historic victory. All three were sport scholars during their time as students at the University and benefited from the strong working relationship between the Club and University.

Other key members of backroom staff involved in the Chiefs promotion-winning campaign were Tony Walker, the University’s Head Coach and the Community Development Manager at Exeter Chiefs and Dave MacLellan, Lead Physiotherapist for the University’s High Performance Programme and Physiotherapist for the Chiefs.

The University’s Rugby Club compete in BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) and their relationship with the Chiefs helps the side to maintain a competitive edge against their rivals, many of whom benefit from similar relationships with local professional outfits. The University team play their annual varsity fixture at the Chiefs purpose-built 10,000 capacity stadium, Sandy Park. Every year the stadium is taken over by students for an inter-university fixture to raise funds for charity in what is always a great occasion and well supported by students and the community alike.