The RFL has awarded the Catalans Dragons Academy ‘Outstanding’ status, following an independent academy audit. 

For the first season in the Academy competition, The Catalans Dragons has secured the highest possible grade. 

Club Chairman Bernard Guasch commented "This is a great achievement for the Club and I’m extremely proud today. Our efforts and investments in the youth and development programme have been rewarded. It is a great recognition for the hard work done by Thierry Dumaine and Bruno Castany and that gives us new ambitions for the future.” 

Mathieu Khedimi, Executive Board Member in charge of the Youth and Development said : “The hard work is always rewarded. We launched the Academy project two years ago and we have proven that we could reach the same standards as the best clubs in the competition. There is talent and skills in France, but it was important to offer facilities and a professional environment to the young players. We are going in the right direction and it’s vital for us to develop and strengthen our actions in the local community.” 

Head of Performance Thierry Dumaine said: “I’m extremely pleased to get the outstanding status. The club has had a quick return on the investments made in the facilities and the staff, which has increased from 4 to 11 people in one year. I would like to thank all those who work with me for their involvement and contribution to the success. I'm happy for all those who were involved from the beginning, especially Mathieu Khedimi. We will continue our efforts to maintain this success. In the coming years we will particularly focus on strengthening links with our community. From next year we will, for example, set up a training programme for coaches with a certification affiliated to the Dragons, this will be presented to those who meet the technical requirements, but also the work ethic and the values conveyed by coaches in schools rugby."