“After Maddog, I went to continue my rugby and academic journey at Hartpury University, where I am studying Strength and Conditioning. This has then led me onto doing a placement year, which I am currently on, working with a range of sport at Bath University. Furthermore, I am now strength and conditioning/ rugby coach for Bath Rugby Ladies as well as, working for Bath Rugby doing Strength and conditioning/rugby on their camps and residential’s for youth athletes.

Being a part of the programme made a significant difference in terms of my social skills that I rely very heavily on with coaching. The programme allowed me to come out my shell with the vice-captain responsibility. Furthermore, Lewis said to me to “take every opportunity that I can,” and that is what has led me on to work for Bath Rugby and Bath Ladies developing my rugby/coaching career.

The programme was also the cause of wanting to go down the strength and conditioning route as it furthered my passion in the gym. On the playing front It also allowed me to have a lot of rugby opportunities in terms of making the Dorset and Wilts U20 team, trialing for South-West England and helping me on my tours to Germany and Japan. Socially, it helped me form new friendships in other towns and places. It gave me immense discipline with my gym, diet and general aspects of life and a greater understanding of teamwork that not only helped in rugby but also in the working environment for my placement year.

If you are thinking of joining Mad Dog then 100% go for it. It gives you the opportunity to mix studies and rugby! It also allows you to become more disciplined around training, studying, nutrition etc as well as improve social skills with effective communication needed in the outside world.”

“Mad Dog for me was a great opportunity to play lots of rugby and have a good crack with the lads, so I would definitely endorse joining the programme. It definitely had a good impact on my life; I gained coaching qualifications, nutrition and strength and conditioning lessons which was useful, it also taught me discipline and being hard working and working for not just yourself but others. It gave me a good job reference and mates that I wouldn’t have met.”

"I have been playing rugby for the De Montfort Uni 1st XV for the past 3 years at flanker and more recently number 13. We play in the Midlands tier 2 BUCS league. I also play 7s during summer. I currently work as a freelance photographer and videographer working for a range of different clients while studying Graphic design with the aims to setup my own digital design agency after University.

I would definitely recommend joining the programme regardless of your rugby ability as the team environment and experiences you’ll get alongside your studies are great. The programme helped me create a strong work ethic that I carry through to today. Having a good balance of work and rugby while at Sixth Form allowed me to excel to a higher level through my studies while still enjoying my time playing and training with a great group of friends over the two years.

The knowledge of rugby gained through great coaching has helped my game develop to a better standard with better understanding of the sport. In addition to this the recovery side of the sport we were taught has helped to keep me injury free and able to ensure I am looking after my body even training and playing up to 5 sessions a week. The programme gave me a great group of friends that I have had the opportunity to share great experiences with that I will always have amazing memories of. I feel I also gained lots of people skills during my time due to having the chance to present ideas, communicate in groups and be involved in a sports team with great core values."

"The Mad Dog Academy made a huge impact on my life, it helped build my confidence in talking to people on and off the field. I met some incredible people that I would never have met if I wasn't part of the program. If I was to speak to anyone thinking of joining I would tell them to snap the opportunity up as quick as you can, it was the best choice I made and would 100% reccomend it to anyone. The two years I spent at Melksham Oak in the academy were the best two years of my school life.

If it wasn't for the program I don't think I'd be in the physical shape I am and mentally I wouldn't have been as comfortable as I am now. The help through the two years to develop as a young man was second to none, the coaches and other players always looked out for each other and it created a bond that is still there for a lot of us. We regularly meet up for a catch up and its nice to look back on the memories we have from those two years.”

"Unfortunately I no longer play rugby, as my priorities and time have changed. However, I am currently training in BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) and I hope to start competing soon. I have also taken up powerlifting, as I found it was the best way for me to train.

Mad Dog not only helped me improve my rugby by a large amount, it helped me gain confidence, learn the value of team work and provided me with many other life skills. The program helped me to discover more about myself and aided me to becoming a better version of myself; teaching me life skills such as discipline, leadership and teamwork. The coach’s at the program are genuine people who care about both your physical and mental health, while trying to get the best out of you. Mad Dog Rugby invested their time and resources into me, and in return, I got to experience the best 2 years of my life so far. If your thinking of joining Mad Dog Rugby, do it!”

“I don’t play rugby anymore, however, I picked up a different sport. I now play ultimate frisbee at Cardiff University and a local club.

Being part of Mad Dog is a great opportunity for your personal development, honestly you get as much out of it as you put in. It's the best separation between studies and being able to play an amazing sport with great friends and coaches that will support you on and off the field. It allowed me to have a better overall perspective, learned so many different skills through different opportunities provided by Mad Dog and being able to give back to the community in different ways. Definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity, but a short and sweet one, therefore, it's up to you for making the most of it.”