About the Academy

The Academy founded by International 7s Player - Arun Watkins. The Academy's mission goal is to produce players for the Lions & Lionesses Elite 7s squads founded and run by Arun, whilst ultimately supporting players with their aspirations to also represent their countries. 

Since it's foundation in January, we are now proudly the World's Largest Elite Rugby 7s Academy with over 1,000 members. The Academy has won 30 titles this year, across a number of tournaments, and has seen 6 players earn scholarship whilst 3 players have graduated into our Senior Academy signing Professional Development Contracts. Our Elite squads compete at events such as Melrose, Amsterdam, Algarve, RugbyTown, Dubai and Copenhagen. With many combining their club careers with their international careers with our players featuring in events such as the Olympics, World Cup and Commonwealth Games. 

Our Academy is supported by a team of full-time professionals in coaching, strength & conditioning and medical.

Ellis Beynon - an Academy Graduate has played at the Algarve 7s as-well as the London 7s with the first team both 10,000 capacity arenas.

Issy Drury, another Academy graduate debuted at the Melrose 7s in-front of 10,000 on BBC4 as the Lionesses defeated Edinburgh. 

Our Academy is split into Regional Groups, who compete against each other and other sides at a number of events throughout the summer.

We have the following regions:

- South East, London, Midlands South,  Midlands North, North East, North West, East Anglia, BBO, South West, Cornwall & Devon (Launching in September). 

How can you join the academy?

As an elite rugby programme, becoming a member of our Academy is strictly by invitation only. 

Players are offered a trial into our Academy via two main routes.

1) Players are spotted performing well at one our Masterclasses or Performance Camps

2) Players are nominated by their teacher/club coach

If you have a question about our Academy, please reach out to us on academy@eggchasersevens.com