J Shearer continues to impress in his outstanding start to the season with the Bath U16 Academy. Most recently, he represented the Academy in their fixture against Saracens at the StoneX Stadium in North London, contributing to an emphatic 53–10 victory. Earlier in the season, TJ also played a pivotal role as co-captain in the win over Sale Sharks, leading from the front in a hard-fought 26–12 result.

The match at StoneX marked a significant milestone, as TJ scored his first competitive try for the Academy. Peeling off the back of a rolling maul from a lineout, he powered over the line to finish an excellently executed team move, surpassing even his memorable try at the Rec at the end of last season. Footage and photos from the fixture have been shared, highlighting this achievement.

TJ’s dedication to his development has been exceptional. His commitment to training, both within and beyond formal rugby environments, has driven remarkable progress. Having first picked up a rugby ball when he joined Purbeck in Year 7, TJ has gone from strength to strength and is now regarded as one of the Academy’s most promising young players. Transitioning from centre to the front row, he is now specialising as a hooker, demonstrating a strong work ethic, adaptability, and an eagerness to learn from every piece of feedback.

We would like to express our gratitude to everyone who has supported TJ on his journey so far: his family, his teachers, his coaches at Swanage & Wareham RFC, and the coaching team at the Bath Academy. A special thank you goes to Jason Helas (JDT) for his ongoing sponsorship.

The future looks exceptionally bright for TJ, and we look forward to following his continued success both on and off the field.