Rotorua to enjoy benefit of high performance base

Photo caption: Rotorua International Stadium will be home to the city’s new Performance and Training Centre. Photo: Rotorua Lakes Council

Potential top athletes in Rotorua will now find it easier to stay home to develop their abilities as a result of a newly-announced collaboration between the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union and Rotorua Lakes Council.

Rotorua International Stadium will be the home of a new specialised facility which will open the way for local athletes to remain in the city to advance their physical performance.

The Performance and Training Centre at the currently under-used stadium will allow athletes to stay in Rotorua and have access to a range of strength and conditioning equipment, nutrition advice and professional development programmes.

It also means the stadium will become a dual purpose facility, making the most of a space that sees little use outside of events and rugby fixtures.

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union CEO Mike Rogers says the centre will allow local Rotorua talent to stay at home but still gain the leading edge.

'This provides not only an opportunity for our Rotorua based athletes to train in a performance facility, but will also support our strategic goals in developing young talent and retaining players and provides our union with a strong presence within the Rotorua community,” he says.

'We see the facility helping the development of a stronger and healthier community through the delivery of a number of programmes including strength and conditioning, nutrition, mental skills and professional development which will have a direct positive impact on the Rotorua community.

'It will also see the Rotorua International Stadium used on a more regular basis and in turn we hope this will attract greater interest from other sporting bodies both nationally and internationally.

'For us this is also another opportunity to connect and continue to develop our relationship with Rotorua Lakes Council.”

Councillor Charles Sturt, Rotorua Lakes Council's Sport and Recreation portfolio lead, says it's great to see the collaboration taking place around the district producing positive outcomes for all parts of the community.

'It's wonderful to look back at the goals we set as part of Rotorua's 2030 vision and see them being achieved in a way that means we can support and nurture the talent of our young people.

'This dual facility means not only will we be able to provide specialised training to athletes looking to make their way in professional sport, but also that other teams and individuals will have the opportunity to get top-notch advice and support right here in Rotorua.

'It also means that we are maximising the fantastic facilities we have here in town. We are starting to see more international games in varied sports. It really is putting Rotorua on the spot as an attractive location for the sporting industry.”

Rotorua-based Bay of Plenty rugby players will be the main users of the Performance and Training Centre. This includes contracted Steamers, those pushing for selection in the Steamers, Volcanix players, and potential recruits to the under 19s programme. It will also be a hub for the union's staff based in the city.

The centre, to be managed by Rotorua strength and conditioning coach Slade King, will be a multi-purpose facility and welcome other sporting codes. Teams or individuals can access the centre by contacting Slade to organise session times and dates.

An official opening will take place at Rotorua International Stadium this Friday, before the double header featuring the Bay of Plenty Volcanix taking on Taranaki and the Steamers' crucial clash with Waikato.

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