Rugby Union

New Zealand Sports Academy harnesses the natural talent of young rugby players in a cultural environment that encourages every player to realise their potential, both on and off the rugby field

Whether you’re interested in a career in rugby, or simply want to develop your game, our rugby union course is designed for all. The Sports Development Programme and Culture & Life Skills Programme is supported by our charitable trust, Te Kaihanga Sports Trust.

What do the courses cover?

The New Zealand Sports Academy Rugby Union course offers full-time career and rugby development coaching opportunities for young New Zealanders.

The Rugby Development & Culture course has four core strands:

Professional Rugby Coaching & Training
You will receive coaching on the latest techniques, team attack and defence, individual position training and ball skills, and physical testing (which is recorded and monitored throughout the year). All our students benefit from specialist fitness and speed training, individual performance SWOTs, a personal weights programme and rugby psychology and motivation training.

Live Domestic Rugby Competition
Our students all take part in live, local rugby competitions, benefitting from regular planning, game-time and analysis. Students immerse themselves in local club rugby competitions, as well as other invitationals throughout the year.

Cultural Awareness & Tikanga
New Zealand Sports Academy students learn the importance of mana through marae tikanga (customs), mahi kai, te reo, learning waiata, haka and history, and cultural exchanges with international students (manaakitanga).

Mentoring & Personal Development
As a New Zealand Sports Academy student you will receive mentoring from All Blacks, Māori All Blacks and Super 12 players. To prepare you for life as a professional player, you’ll also receive training in sports psychology, media skills and understanding player contracts. We’ll teach you valuable life skills, such as discipline, goal-setting and interpersonal communication. In addition to this, you’ll take part in team-building activities, New Zealand Sports Academy team competition and fundraising activities. You will also be involved in mentoring and coaching rangatahi (youth).

TESTIMONIAL

"In 2006 I enrolled into NZ Sports Academy to better my rugby skills. I didn’t know what to expect, all I knew was I wanted to succeed in rugby.

At the Academy, we lived and breathed rugby... literally! Starting 7am on the dot (there were punishments if you were one minute late) with Shaun Tata, we hit the gym with strength and core training, all rugby-related, then by 9.15am we’d be all showered for a 15 min breakfast then straight into the classroom to learn all rugby fundamentals. After lunch we then hit the field for the rest of the afternoon working on fitness, drills, skill work, games, breaking down every little drill, such as passing a ball and tackling.

This was all a huge shock to me. Darrel and Shaun (our coaching staff at the time) broke us into pieces, mentally and physically, but taught us to love the toughness. I cannot explain how much I enjoyed having them as coaches, pushing us to the absolute limit to get the best out of everyone. It truly amazes me how much knowledge they have of the game, which they broke down into steps to give us a better understanding.

After graduating from the Academy in 2007, I moved to Australia to succeed further in my rugby career with the Surfers Paradise Gold Coast Dolphins, but really struggled to do so due to injury after injury. I got back into the gym for rehab and to focus on my weak points. Since day one at the Academy I always loved being the gym, smashing PBs, learning the correct form and techniques in lifting, and seeing great results in your body. Darrel and Shaun taught us how to look after our bodies from injuries and, because of that, I had a speedy recovery.

By the end of my recovery, I decided to change codes and challenge myself with the discipline and dedication of Bodybuilding and Powerlifting.

2013 – North QLD WFF Fitness model – 1st place
2013 – Southern Hemisphere WFF – 5TH place
2014 – QLD INBA Fitness model
2015 – Australasia WBFF Muscle model – Top 20
2015 – Central QLD Vector Powerlifting champion (Total 620kg)

With the mental toughness and dedication I inherited from the NZSA, I took everything I’ve learnt into my preparations and succeeded numerous times. I am a scaffold supervisor currently preparing for the Australasia WBFF Championship and hoping succeed to WBFF Worlds next year in Las Vegas. I strongly recommend anyone to join the NZ Sports Academy as it has had a huge impact on my life."

BILLY HICKS

The Rugby Union Career Programme

The Rugby Union Career programme is offered in all our academies, this is a year-long Rugby Union Career programme which incorporates the NZQA-accredited National Certificate in Sports Leadership Level 4, which is generally delivered in the afternoon time slot.

Eligibility: Entry is for students aged from 17 upwards, who hold a New Zealand birth certificate or New Zealand passport and demonstrate commitment to sport and fitness. A personal interview is required.

Full Course Fee: Course fees are set by Te Wananga o Aotearoa, which was $1350.10 in 2016. All fees must be paid before the course starts.

Student Allowances and Loans
You may qualify for a student loan which allows you to borrow money to finance the cost of the course. Apply early to ensure that you start receiving your allowance or loan when the course starts. Visit www.studylink.govt.nz for more information.

A Student Emergency Fund is available for students who have financial difficulty at some point that affects their studies.

.	MON	TUE	WED	THUR	FRI	SAT	SUN
9.00 - 9.15am	Morning Meeting/Game Review	Morning Meeting	Morning Meeting	Morning Meeting	Free Day	Club Game Day	Free Day / Recovery
9.15 – 11.30am	Weights/Core Skill session	Weights/Core Skill session	Weights/Core Skill session	Weights/Core Skill session	Free Day	Club Game Day	Free Day / Recovery
11.30 – 12.00pm	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Free Day	Club Game Day	Free Day / Recovery
12.00-1.00pm	Education	Education	Education	Education	Free Day	Club Game Day	Free Day / Recovery
1.00 - 3.30pm	Speed/Skills	Skills	Fitness	Māori Culture	Free Day	Club Game Day	Free Day / Recovery
3.30pm	Home	Home	Home	Home	Free Day	Club Game Day	Free Day / Recovery
6.00 - 7.30pm		Club Training	Value	Club Training	Free Day	Club Game Day	Free Day / Recovery

Click here to enrol for the NZSA Rugby Union Course

Rugby Coaching and Rugby Training Camps at New Zealand Sports Academy

Where you can expect first-class rugby coaching from some of the best coaches in the world. The New Zealand Sports Academy is for young netball, rugby union and rugby league players, coaches and teams who want to develop their skills and experience Māori culture at its best!