Salford Red Devils have formed a unique partnership with Loughborough College and the RFL, meeting the needs of our academy talent

The Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) is a two-year, Sport England-funded programme. It is a unique sporting qualification designed to meet the needs of student-athletes who exhibit the potential to achieve excellence in their sport.

The programme's primary focus is to enable performers to combine sport and education to have the qualifications, skills, knowledge and behaviours to pursue a dual career, with the ultimate aim of progressing in the Salford Red Devils talent pathway.

The Red Devils players have been recruited to join the DiSE programme, which the National Governing Body, RFL, oversees.

Martin Webdale, Elite Sport Manager at Loughborough College, commented: “It is great to have Salford Red Devils on board and delivering the DiSE qualification to their players.

"The course will enable the players to improve their skills on and off the pitch and set them up for a duel career in the future.”

Ian Blease, Director of Rugby and Operations, has also said: "Again, this is another example of the club's ongoing progression in our strategy and developing our youth player pathways.

"This new partnership with Loughborough in support of our Red Devils Elite Development (REDs) player pathway will provide another platform of opportunities for Chris Irwin & his coaching staff and a talented group of players.

"Thank you to the Loughborough staff for working with us on this project, and long may it continue to be a platform for future Red Devils stars in the making!”

Chris Irwin, Head of REDs, has added: "We are delighted to partner with Loughborough College to provide our players with the opportunity to gain a DiSE qualification.

"This program will not only help our young athletes to develop their rugby skills, but it will also equip them with essential life skills and knowledge that will benefit them on and off the pitch."

He continued: "The Salford Red Devils elite pathway is committed to nurturing talented players, but also developing them as people, and the DiSE program is a crucial part of that mission.

"I look forward to seeing our players grow and thrive through this partnership!"