Rugby: Word gets out about rugby academy

Santiago Sanchez from Argentina hits the tackle bags hard at Inside Running Academy training. Photo/John Borren

Inside Running Academy is a local success story that continues to grow in size and prestige internationally.

It began in 2010 with 12 players and this year 50 players will go through the academy based at Mount Maunganui, with 47 from overseas. Half are from the UK, with others from South-East Asia, Argentina, Australia, South Africa and Italy.

The increase in the academy's popularity is a direct result of the feedback from past attendees, with 80 per cent of this year's group knowing someone who has attended.

"Initially with any project, getting awareness out there is the biggest concern," said former England professional Dan Ward-Smith, who is responsible for the day-to-day running of the academy. "We were pretty confident that what we were delivering was world class but people just didn't know it existed. People who have been here in the last few years spreading the word about the great time they had here, and how much they learned and developed, has helped.

"I think we are pretty unique with what we are doing. There are projects like IRANZ, which are quite short, so they are only there for like three weeks. Our guys come for the entire season. We believe the developmental curve of a player is not something you can change in three weeks. The best thing about our academy, I feel, is we focus on individual development because there are no games for Inside Running Academy.

"They don't play for us, so everything we do is based around making the individual player better and I think that is probably unique in rugby academies. We have more time to develop the skills."

Academy managing director Mike Rogers is grateful for the support of Bay of Plenty Rugby and the local clubs.

"We currently have players playing for Te Puke, Tauranga Sports, Greerton Marist and Rangataua," Rogers said.

"We are hoping to get some into Te Puna and Rangiuru with the next group of players arriving and one day we would like to have players across all 10 premier clubs. That would be the goal," he said.

"The union's support of the academy has been outstanding and I can't speak highly enough of it. The use of their facilities and the use of their coaches really do give us a point of difference.

"It is certainly not a financial win for them. It is more about being good for the rugby community and seeing the value that if we can have one player a year that goes on to become a Steamer, it is an awesome recruitment tool for them."