A YEAR Ten Wyedean School pupil has bagged himself a place on the Gloucester Rugby Academy list – after two failed attempts.

Dan Williams has been vying for the position since earlier this year but had been to two trails which proved unsuccessful.

Undefeated, Dan took onboard the feedback given by the club and put a new regime into practice, changing his diet and strengthening his commitment to the game. Last week, while on work experience at Club Ginger in Lydney, he received the good news when he saw on their website that he'd been selected.

Jo Perrin, learning resources coordinator at Wyedean School, said: "Dan has been playing rugby since the age of eight and had been hoping to get into the academy earlier this year, but had been to two trials which proved unsuccessful.

"But that didn't put him off though. His determination soon paid off and the club invited him for another trial, announcing their selection publicly online the following week. While on his work experience placement he received the good news and was straight on the phone to his mum to share his success. Staff at the gym were thrilled for him."

The teen sensation, who currently plays centre for Caldicot, plans to now embark on an eight-week training programme over the summer – with the opportunity of playing in up to four games. If he gets through the selection; he could then play for the season.

Jo added: "Dan said that he was pretty pleased that his hard work has paid off and he believes that you can achieve if you try your best.

"He will go through the Academy with some familiar faces, as he has played for Forest District previously and met some of the players there. Dan's resilience has served him well and we hope to follow his future achievements."