GSA Rugby offers an advanced rugby experience to male and female international students attending Massey University for Semester One (February – June) 2017. This opportunity to further develop your rugby ability comes through our unique partnership with the Manawatu Rugby Union. GSA Rugby is open to students who have good knowledge and experience in rugby. It is ideal if you have ambitions to participate at a higher level of the game.
There are two parts to the programme. The first is that you will enrol into Massey University as a study abroad, exchange or Intensive English student during Semester One.
Secondly, as a member of GSA Rugby, you will train with a wide squad of players who have been signed by Manawatu Rugby Union to play for regional teams, such as the Manawatu Turbos, Manawatu Development or Manawatu Cyclones. The Turbos play in the New Zealand Premiership Provincial Union Competition, known as the Mitre 10 Cup. The Manawatu Cyclones play in the New Zealand Provincial Union Competition, and the Development Team also plays in a competition involving a range of Provincial Unions.
You will be aligned with a club and will play in a weekly competition for the duration of your study. Club training involves two evening training sessions per week with up to two further training sessions per week will be with the Manawatu wider training squad, involving both technical and tactical development.
Programme Structure
You will have the following opportunities as part of GSA Rugby:
- An opportunity to train alongside the Manawatu Rugby Academy and wider training squad
- Play club rugby in the Manawatu region
- Individual skill development – tactical, technical and position-specific
- Strength and conditioning development – tailored to suit individual needs
- One-on-one support from the Manawatu Rugby Academy Manager, Strength and Conditioning Coach, and Turbos or Cyclones Coach
- Use of Sportscode Video Analysis technology, with personalised coach support
- Swimming pool use for recovery purposes
- Rugby-specific mental conditioning
- Sports nutrition advice
- Leadership development
- Free gym membership to the Manawatu Rugby Union Gym
- Attendance at one Hurricanes Super Rugby home match
- Receive training apparel (which may include: playing shorts, gym shorts, tracksuit, shell top, training tee, polo shirt, singlet, polar fleece hoodie, socks, cap, beanie, and gear bag) up to a value of NZ $600
Your training will include up to four sessions per week, plus gym training, recovery sessions and video analysis tutorials. A typical week could look like this:
Monday
6:00 – 10:00 am Strength & Conditioning
3:00 – 5:30 pm Strength & Conditioning, Nutrition, Mental Skills and Professional Development 1 on 1s
5:30 – 6:15 pm Speed & Agility
6:30 – 8:00 pm Skills training (Position-specific & Generic)
Tuesday
6:00 – 10:00 am Strength & Conditioning
3:00 – 5:30 pm Strength & Conditioning
6:00 – 8:00 pm Club Training
Wednesday
5:00 – 5:30 pm Skinfold testing
9:00 am – 5:00 pm 1 on 1 game reviews
5:30 – 6:15 pm Knowledge Session, Nutrition, Mental Skills, Professional Development
6:30 – 8:30 pm Conditioning & Unit Training
Thursday
6:00 – 10:00 am Strength & Conditioning
9:00 am – 5:00 pm 1 on 1 game reviews
3:00 – 5:30 pm Strength & Conditioning
6:00 – 8:00 pm Club Training
Friday
6:00 – 10:00 am Stretch
9:00 am – 5:00 pm 1 on 1 game reviews
3:00 – 5:30 pm Stretch
Saturday
2:45 pm Club Rugby
Sunday
9:00 – 11:00 am Recovery Session
Student Experiences
We reached out to study abroad and exchange students who are rugby players as we developed GSA Rugby. Here is what Rachel Karpiesiuk, a rugby player from Iowa State University, had to say about her experiences with GSA Rugby.
“You can feel the passion the coaches have for the players as it radiates across the facility. The coaches want their players to succeed on and off the field. I believe that it reflected in their players’ performance.
While watching one of their training sessions, one thing that stood out to me was that the players not only worked on their skills but offered words of advice to their teammates. If they noticed a new face at practice they introduced themselves and would help give advice on how to perform better in the drill. It shows how much they want to grow in both their skill but also in the skill of the team as a whole.
I genuinely think that by having this program it will not only give international students the chance to increase their rugby skills but it will also help them network with other players and build new relationships.”
GSA Rugby Fee
NZ $3,000 for Semester One.
Hover over the fee to see the current exchange rate.
See Scholarships and How to Apply for information about our Accelerator Scholarships and your next steps.