ACE Rugby - Key Dates
Peter Symonds ACE Rugby Squad – The Year Ahead
| Date | Event | Details |
| 14 September & and 21 September 2026 | Initial Invitational Sessions | Assessment sessions for Year 11 ACE applicants (excluding any player that is actively involved with the Bath pathway). Please complete the online poll to indicate availability. Invitations will be confirmed before August 2026. A maximum of 30 players to progress. |
| 25 January 2027 | Second Stage Assessments | For shortlisted players from the initial sessions and Bath Development players. ,. Approximately 30 players in total to progress.
|
22 February 2027
| Third Assessment stage Approximately 40 players to progress. | Stage three trial for existing Bath Academy members and identified ACE applicants. |
| W/C 22 February 2027 | Admissions Update | Finalised ACE Team and Emerging ACE Squad details for 2027/28 shared with the college admissions department. Conditional Offer players confirmed to admissions, invites to acclimatisation sent out.
|
| March 2027 | Conditional Offers Issued | Up to 30 conditional offers sent to Year 11 students for the 2027/28 and 2027/28 seasons. Selection for the following year’s ringfenced ACE Team will be confirmed by July 2028. |
July & August 2027 – Integration and Familiarisation
The dates below outline the integration and familiarisation schedule for players joining the Peter Symonds College / Bath Rugby ACE Programme.
The sessions are designed to:
- Support a smooth transition for new ACE and Emerging ACE players into the college rugby environment.
- Allow coaches to assess players’ development, teamwork, and readiness for ACE or Emerging ACE selection.
- Establish key relationships between players, coaches, and Bath Rugby staff before the official pre-season.
- Confirm final squad placements for the 2027/28 ACE Team and Emerging ACE Squad by the end of July.
| Date | Venues / timings | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 7 July 2027 (Wed) | 14.15 – 16.00 | Integration session 1 |
| 9 July 2027 (Fri) | 09.00 – 11.00 | Integration Session 2 |
| 14 July 2027 (Wed) | 14.15 – 16.00 | Integration Session 3 |
| 16 July 2027 (Fri) | 09.00 – 11.00 | Integration Session 4 |
| 21 July 2027 (Wed) | 14.15 – 16.00 | Integration Session 5 |
| 23 July 2027 (Fri) | 09.00 – 11.00 | Integration Session 6 |
ACE Rugby Pre-Season Schedule 2027
These sessions will be for the 30 ringfenced group of players and the 8 identified players to cover significant injury or absence during the ACE season.
| Date | Time | Activity |
| Mon 23 Aug 2027 | 10:00 – 15:00 | Pre-season Day 1 – Admin and training |
| Tue 24 Aug 2027 | 10:00 – 15:00 | Pre-season Day 2 – Admin and training |
| Wed 25 Aug 2027 | Rest and Recovery | |
| Thu 26 Aug 2027 | 09:00 – 11:00 | Pre-season Day 3 – Training |
| Fri 27 Aug 2027 | 10:00 – TBC | Pre-season Day 4 – Initial internal Fixture WRFC |
| Sat 28 – Mon 30 Aug 2027 | Rest and Recovery | |
| Tue 31 Sept 2027 | 10:00 – 15:00 | Pre-season Day 5 – Training |
| Wed 2 1ept 2027 | 14:00 – 20:00 | Pre-season Day 6 – Match Possibles V’s Probables Fixture (WRFC) |
| Thu 2 Sept 2027 | Rest and Recovery (Year 13 College Day 1) | |
| Fri 3 Sept 2027 | Rest and Recovery (Year 12 Induction Day) | |
| Sat 4 Sept 2027 | 10:00 – 16:00 | Pre-season Day 7 – Training & Squad BBQ |
| Sun 5 Sept 2027 | Rest and Recovery | |
| Mon 6 Sept 2027 | 13:15 – 14:30 | Training (Start of Full College Week Cycle) |