The CMK Club Rugby season is yet to get underway for 2024, but Taranaki Rugby Academy members have already been working hard to develop their strength, skills and rugby knowledge.

Our 2024 Taranaki Rugby Academy intake is split into 1st-year members (school leavers or currently studying) and 2nd-year members who have shown the work ethic and discipline to remain within the programme.

Our 2024 1st year Taranaki Rugby Academy intake brings in a mix of local and talent from outside the region

This year's 1st-year intake is made up of 8 men's players and 3 women's players. With a mix of local talent and players brought into the region who exemplify the qualities of a Taranaki player who will be proud to wear the Amber & Black hoops.

"We're really happy with the spread of talent in our 1st year intake. We do all we can to retain local high school talent, but it does prove difficult when competing with a university experience, which we know we can't offer. When going outside our region, there are certain characteristics we look for that will hopefully one day make them into great Taranaki players. We've seen this in recent years with Josh Lord and Tupou Vaa'i." - Jarrad Hoeata | Academy Manager

Our 2024 2nd year Taranaki Rugby Academy intake

With the growth of the women's game in Taranaki, we're excited to see the development of our 1st and 2nd-year women's academy members. A programme that has gone from strength to strength in recent years and paying dividends with our young talent in the Central Roofing Taranaki Whio.

"We've identified the need to invest in our women and girls players at a younger age, in the hope we can offer a pathway and experience that keeps them in the region. Much like the men, university is a big drain on our talent, with most leaving after school. With our 1st-year intake we hope to not only develop them as individuals but inspire players around them to do the same" - Lisa Appert | Female Rugby Lead

Players from the Taranaki Rugby Academy will be running around for their respective clubs during the CMK Club Rugby season. They also have the additional benefit of gym and technical work 3 times a week, food and nutrition support, mental skills coaching plus other small benefits.

Yarrows Taranaki Bulls Extended Training Group Set For 2024

The extended squad is a mix of previously contracted players and those displaying talent to wear the Amber & Black

As an extension of our Taranaki Rugby Academy and Yarrows Taranaki Bulls contracted squad, our 2024 Yarrows Taranaki Bulls Extended Training Group has been working on their fitness and skill development, before the CMK Club Rugby season.

The extended training group allows players who show potential to represent the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls to get a taste of the environment and ultimately improve on their club seasons. Working in collaboration with Taranaki clubs, it allows Head Coach, Neil Barnes to build depth in CMk Club Rugby and identify talent ahead of the season.

"We've seen the benefit the extended training group has provided over the past few seasons. Clubs are motivated to upskill their players and we're keen to build depth across multiple positions. It's a win-win for CMK Club Rugby and the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls" - Neil Barnes | Yarrows Taranaki Bulls Head Coach

Each club has the opportunity to nominate players they see as Yarrows Taranaki Bulls calibre, working in tandem with Taranaki Rugby to develop local players, as well as talent from outside the region that clubs have brought in to their squads.

The extended training group will now be involved in CMK Club Rugby, with a reduced squad selected at the end of round 1. 

Article added: Wednesday 13 March 2024