"If we look at rugby in Northland and ... the under-10 reps, you have all these kids with natural talent. But then you go down the track a few years and they've fallen off," he said.
The programme, run at City Rugby Club, started with five students aged 8 to 14 and now has 19 young people on board. The academy has students who play representative-level touch rugby, basketball, waka ama, and regional rugby. Mr Kaipo's son Brooklyn has made the New Zealand Storm under-13 basketball team that will tour America in July.
Mr Kaipo said the students train from 6am to 8am every Monday and Wednesday during the school term and the wake-up time requires a high level of determination and work ethic.
The training is run military-style with lots of cardio.
"I have 8-year-olds who make their lunch the night before and pack their uniform and get their clothes ready, wake up at 5.30am and be dropped off at 6am to training. I coach rugby and I see 18-year-olds asking their mum where their boots are."
Mr Kaipo said the Hakinakina Champions programmes is non-for profit so any support is appreciated.
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