Massey University, Albany Drive, Palmerston North
The Massey University Sport and Rugby Institute is the centre of excellence for New Zealand rugby development. The Sport and Rugby Institute is the team training and match/tournament preparation venue for New Zealand representative rugby teams.
Indoor Training
Central to the Institute is the 33m x 16m indoor training area – with a 12m high ceiling and a specifically constructed synthetic turf surface that is unique to the southern hemisphere. It is ideal for any use, i.e. for skill sessions to ‘full impact’ training. The nylon-stranded Field Turf has recycled rubber chip and sand ‘combed’ through it to absorb the impact of a fall while giving the ‘feel’ of real grass underfoot. Unlike other synthetic surfaces there are no ‘burns’ associated with this installation.
Scrum Room
The hydraulic scrum machine is a superb complement to the scrum sleds (used on the fields.) As well as providing an undercover alternative to scrum training, this machine can ‘push’ against the team using it and has adjustable levels to suit. It can ‘wheel’ left and right as well as move ‘up and down’ to simulate real scrummaging actions.
Recovery Pools
The two pools (each 1.8m deep) provide total body immersion to help speed up recovery from intense training or injury. The hot pool is kept at a tropical 38°C and the cold at a chilling 12°C. Athletes spend approximately 30 seconds in each pool alternating from one to the other for three cycles, to aid the removal of lactic acid build-up following intense training.
Recovery
The recovery room accesses one of the changing rooms and includes two electronically adjustable physio tables, ultrasound equipment, a constant icemaking facility, TV and video as well as emergency first aid equipment.
Fitness/Weights Room
The fitness/weights room provides the very latest in free weights and exercise equipment. This is indeed a facility equipped to international standards – divided into a free weights ‘power zone’ and a cardiovascular ‘aerobic zone’.
Rugby Fields
Adjacent to the Institute are three rugby fields. Each field is floodlit with the centre one illuminated to ‘match’ standards. All fields are serviced directly from a Gear Room (at the end of the Indoor Training area) and includes portable scrum and ruck sleds, tackle bags, hit shields, full contact body padding, cones, flags and rugby balls – all located on specifically designed portable gear trolley.
Library and Video Analysis
The Library is used as a rest and relaxation area. It contains a large selection of sports books, magazines as well as daily papers. It is complemented by a guest computer facility with internet and email connections. The Video Analysis Room houses the cutting edge of New Zealand rugby technology. The sophisticated hardware and software programmes are employed to comprehensively analyse all aspects of targeted games providing coaches, players, referees and key New Zealand rugby staff with a myriad of usable data that will assist to improve individual team performance as well as contribute to rugby development programmes.
Accommodation Bedrooms
The two-storeyed, curved-shaped Accommodation Block is detached from Administration and linked by a two-tiered covered walkway. Each floor of accommodation comprises two wings of five bedrooms either side of a communal lounge. Each five-bedroom wing has its own shower, toilet, bath and laundry facilities designed and furnished to a very high motel-type standard. Every bedroom includes an extra long queen size bed and extra long/wide single bed, wardrobe/clothing storage, vanity with hot and cold water, twin work stations and TV with all national channels including Sky Digital.
Accommodation Lounges
The two accommodation lounges are comfortably furnished – each with two seater settees, single chairs and a kitchenette that provides the following facilities… food preparation, tea and coffee making with instant hot water, blender, microwave, fridge, dishwasher, filtered water dispenser, TV, video, radio and guest computer. Adjacent tot he ground floor lounge is a private garden/barbecue area.
Dining
All meals are provided during your stay at the Institute. Each meal is well balanced with the correct portions of carbohydrate, protein and is low in fat.
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