The Magpies' successful run over the last three seasons is probably the biggest story in the recent history of provincial rugby, says Marcus Agnew, a lecturer in biomechanics at EIT Hawke's Bay and a specialist in rugby analysis.
Employed by the New Zealand Rugby Union to do the technical analysis for the Under-20s squad and the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union for its academy players, Marcus is well-placed to offer his insights into why the Magpies have lifted their game in recent seasons.
"The Magpies have made the semis for the last three years," he says, "yet everyone assumed Hawke's Bay would struggle at the bottom of the first division."
Formerly from Auckland's North Shore, Marcus believes the development of a co-ordinated strategy has helped propel Hawke's Bay to the highest echelon and that while the Magpies' momentum has flagged a little of late, persevering with the strategy will pay dividends in the future.
One of the initiatives developed to retain young sportsmen who might otherwise leave the region has been a scholarship programme that encourages players to study locally. EIT and the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union work together in offering a bridge to future careers with these sponsored education opportunities.
The partnership provides Magpies and Academy players with openings for pursuing postgraduate, degree, diploma or certificate-level studies.
Plenty of evidence suggests the scheme is working, not only in retaining emerging talent but as an additional incentive for top rugby players considering relocating to the Bay,
Academy manager Joe Payton says 10 players, seven of them studying at EIT, have moved to the Bay in the last two years.
"We are playing a part in the whole thing and it snowballs," Marcus says, wearing his EIT hat. "The scholarships are helping the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union attract quality players."
Former All Black Bryn Evans combined playing for the Magpies and study at EIT, graduating with a Bachelor of Recreation and Sport in 2007. Star Timu, who was in the world championship-winning New Zealand Under-20s team in 2010, completed a Certificate in Carpentry last year.
Magpies Leighton Price and Mark Jackman are at EIT, studying for a Bachelor of Recreation and Sport. In addition, Gillies Kaka is doing a Certificate in Carpentry and Josh Keys is enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary) programme.
Four other academy players studying at EIT are Zane Rangi (Bachelor of Visual Arts and Design), Ihaia West (Diploma in Recreation and Sport), Brendon Edmonds (Certificate in Collision Repair) and Brodie Retallick (Certificate in Mechanical Engineering and Welding).
"So EIT has been an important part of what's happened with Hawke's Bay rugby in recent years," Marcus says. "It's a definite plus for our top players to be able to study at a reputable institution and get a scholarship to do so."
HBRU chief executive Mike Bishop said: "In the past, Hawke's Bay lost many quality players to universities around New Zealand. The opportunity for them to study at EIT has definitely been part of the Magpies' success package."
Magpies initiative with EIT key to keeping talent in Hawke's Bay
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