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The Wellington Rugby Academy is  a three-year programme that will enhance the development of our best young rugby players by providing innovative rugby thinking and advice that will ultimately foster and enhance their rugby skills.

Under the guidance of a full-time Academy Manager, Academy members receive guidance on key areas including positional skills, sports psychology, fitness and nutrition.

Because it is vital to prepare for life after rugby, the Academy Manager will assist Academy members to maximise personal, educational and career development opportunities.

The Academy is a three-year programme running from February to November each year.

There is no fee to attend the Academy programme and Academy members are eligible for scholarships to attend Victoria University and the  Wellington Institute of Technology.

What we're looking for

Wellington Rugby knows what it takes to make a professional rugby player. After all, professional rugby is our business.

We want to see more players from Wellington and the wider Hurricanes region making the grade and playing for  the Hurricanes and Vodafone Wellington Lions.

That's why we started the Wellington Rugby Academy.

Our goal is to provide a select group of young players with:

• The skills, discipline, knowledge and attitude needed to succeed at NPC and Super 14 level. Hopefully, it will also put them on course for even higher honours - New Zealand Maori, the Junior All Blacks and the All Blacks.
• The support and guidance to achieve the qualifications and experience necessary for life beyond professional rugby. Whether it's an academic degree or a practical qualification that you want, we'll help you find the course that could be your ticket to the future.

We're looking for people who have the potential to become professional rugby players. So, to become a member of the  Wellington Rugby Academy, you should be able to show us that you have at least one of the following:

• The potential to play for the Vodafone Wellington Lions, Hurricanes or  higher.
• The motivation and commitment to succeed on the field and in your academic or career aspirations.
• Previous playing experience at regional or national representative level or college 1st XV.

What the Wellington Rugby Academy will provide

The Wellington Rugby Academy will provide you with the knowledge, support and guidance to be the best you can be, both in a rugby environment and in life outside of rugby.

As a member of the Academy you'll take part in:

• An intensive training programme of supervised gym and speed work with performance testing by a Vodafone Wellington Lions or Hurricanes fitness trainer.
• Coaching clinics run by Wellington Rugby coaching staff and players from the Vodafone Wellington Lions (including Wellington-based Hurricanes players) to provide feedback on how to improve your playing skills and progress to a higher level in your specialist position.
• Sport psychology sessions run by a specialist sport psychologist covering goal setting, confidence, activation, control and concentration.
• Seminars incorporating a range of rugby and life skill topics including: sport physiology, principles of training, nutrition, sports medicine, communication, time management, leadership, positional coaching and NZRU coaching courses.
• Ongoing interviews with the Academy Manager to review and measure personal development in all areas of the Academy programme, as well as educational and career advancement.