BOURNVILLE Head Coach Alex Grove is excited by the talent of Oscar Fawkes-Underwood, a fly-half or full-back, who has graduated to the senior squad at Avery Fields during pre-season training.
Fawkes-Underwood, a member of Bournville’s Under-18s squad, is a student at Old Swinford Hospital School in Stourbridge and was part of the squad that won the National
Under-15s Plate, scoring a try for them in the final at Twickenham.
He first played for Bournville in the Under-6s team of the Mini and Junior Section has progressed through the club’s youth system into the Midlands Rugby Academy West Under-16s DPP, PDG, and the Coventry Rugby Regional Academy.
“Oscar has made a seamless transition from the Colts to the senior squad,” said former Scotland international centre Grove.
“He has approached training with a great attitude, he is keen to learn and his skillset allows him to cover a number of positions in the backline.
“If he continues to develop, I’ve no doubt that he can challenge for a place in the first team.”
Fawkes-Underwood’s rapid progress has also been an early success for the club’s Player Development Pathway programme.
“Bournville launched the Player Development Pathway last season to support home-grown talent progress from the minis and juniors section into senior rugby,” said Matt Mirecki, who manages the PDP programme.
“The Pathway offers coaching support and mentoring to all aspiring players from Under-16s to Under-18s alongside structured support to help them transition into senior rugby.
“Now moving into its second year, the Pathway has already seen great success with nine current or former Colts players making their senior debuts in the 2024-25 season.”
For further information about Bournville’s Player Development Pathway, contact Matt Mirecki at: matthew.mirecki.mke@gmail.com
