First look at performance centre

Tauranga's new High Performance Sports Centre is being taken for a test drive this week by national, regional and local rugby teams.

The NZ Women's Sevens team and the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union's high performance unit both started training in the facility at Blake Park.


Michaela Blyde and Selica Winiata working out at the new High Performance centre. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

The Chiefs will also be in town and training at the centre.

They will be putting the high performance gym, plunge pools and changing rooms to use on Thursday. Players from Northern Districts' cricket team's high performance squad are training at the centre three times this week.

Centre's manager Justine Brennan says the level of early interest from visiting teams is hugely encouraging given the centre is not yet fully operational and tenants are still in the process of moving in.

'Much of this is the result of the fact several people involved with the high performance centre project have excellent contacts and networks in high performance sport.

'The benefit of those connections are already being evidenced.”

Thursday's training session at the centre evolved after an inquiry call by Chiefs' head of strength and conditioning Phil Healey to Bay Venues chief executive officer Gary Dawson. Gary, who is the former chief executive of the Chiefs, says he is delighted to confirm that the centre's excellent training facilities are all set for use and its $750,000 worth of top-of-the-line equipment ready to be put through its paces.

Transforming the old, disused Mt Maunganui Cosmopolitan Club at Blake Park into a world-class training environment for athletes is a Bay Venues' initiative, supported by Tauranga City Council.

Justine says the Chiefs visit is an example of the collaboration the Centre is expecting to enjoy with Waikato teams, especially those with Bay of Plenty connections, such as the Chiefs and Magic.

'We have state-of-the-art infrastructure here which will draw high calibre athletes and teams from over the hill and beyond more regularly.”

Chiefs' head of strength and conditioning Phil Healey says the team is 'really looking forward” to getting into the High Performance Sport Centre this week during its preseason camp.

'With our Investec Super Rugby campaign kicking off in just five weeks' time, it's really important the players are able to continue training hard.

'We're very pleased to be one of the first teams to train in this great new facility and we're excited to spend time with our supporters on our Chiefs Summer Roadie.”

New Zealand Rugby General Manager Rugby Neil Sorensen says the centre will be a huge help to the many Sevens athletes based in the Bay of Plenty and the New Zealand Women's Sevens and All Blacks Sevens teams who regularly train in the Mount.

'It's a world class facility which will really add to the ability of our players to step up to the next level and perform on the international stage.

'With the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro ahead this year, the timing is fantastic to help our best Sevens players succeed at the very highest level of the game.”

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union chief executive Mike Rogers says his team now has a world class environment to train in - in the Bay of Plenty.

'We have some of the best facilities in New Zealand at our disposal as we prepare to compete against the rest of New Zealand. We have an environment that is second to none from a provincial point of view.”

Mike says the fact the Centre is a shared facility is advantageous.

'Having upcoming young talent training in the same environment as the NZ Woman's and Sevens teams – how great that is for them to learn from.”

He says the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union already works in partnership with tenants within the Centre; namely Body in Motion Physio and The University of Waikato.

'It's a collaborative approach that will benefit everyone,” he says.

'All up, the Centre can only present great opportunities for the Bay of Plenty moving forward.”

The Chiefs will be in Tauranga this week to attend a Wednesday night fundraising gala dinner in honour of seven-year-old Austin Manning who suffers from health challenges including cerebral palsy. With the full support of the Chiefs Rugby Club, Austin is fundraising for a trip to America to have life-altering surgery and extensive rehabilitation.

The Dinner for Austin will be held at the ASB Arena, with tables available for purchase from $1200 + GST. Visit chiefs.co.nz for more details.

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5 comments

Are they paying?

Posted on 26-01-2016 13:29 | By Murray.Guy

Centre's manager Justine Brennan says the level of early interest from visiting teams is hugely encouraging given the centre is not yet fully operational and tenants are still in the process of moving in. My question is, are they paying OR is the ratepayer paying? I suspect the later which adds to the appeal.


Murray asks are they paying?

Posted on 26-01-2016 19:08 | By Councillorwatch

I guess it's possible that people are paying something towards the costs of what I'd call a glorified gym and that the ratepayer is possibly underwriting the rest? A bit like when Murray was on council? I remember ratepayers effectively buying Baypark, buying a Speedway business, "injecting cash" to the tune of $5 million into Baypark etc etc. All about peoples sports and hobbies isn't it, and the poor old ratepayer coughing up to "help" them?


i agree with murray guy

Posted on 26-01-2016 20:20 | By The author of this comment has been removed.

here we go again Murray there are i believe 15 GYMS in Tauranga,Council are very underhanded when it comes to these things,i understand that it has been (quote) that Baycourt is going to be the new Mueseum,is this correct,from a COUNCILLOR it has been signed off already


Which Hi-performance Centre?

Posted on 27-01-2016 07:57 | By socantor01

I thought the new privately owned gym at Bethlehem was to be the designated hi-performance centre. Who owns the Mount one? Does that mean the Bethlehem one, with its 40-meter indoor track, redundant?


Councillorwatch being dishonest ...AGAIN!

Posted on 27-01-2016 09:01 | By Murray.Guy

The business of speedway did NOT receive a cash injection of $5 million. The CCO took on board the ratepayers debt associated with TECT Arena and Baypark, mega $millions, and this was reduced by $5m. The speedway business was purchased to ensure access to TECT ARENA 24/7 and is now privately promoted. Once a liar, always a liar!


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