The Navy Rugby Academy (NRA) was established in October 2005 and officially opened 24 February 2006 by Commodore Bruce Kafer, the RANRU President.

Organisation

The NRA is an essential component of our future capability. The NRA is about developing rugby skills, it is about discipline on and off the field, and it is about encouraging participation. It is meant to be for an elite few who show talent, commitment and determination. But we also hope that when others see what NRA squad is doing they will be encouraged to join in along side them. Perhaps they will eventually vie for a spot in the academy, but if they simply get healthy and develop the desire to participate then the Navy will reap the benefits.

Our intention is that once the concept is proven in HMAS Cerberus, we will extend the NRA Australia wide. This poses some challenges in terms of communication and supervision, but the desire to make it succeed is there and we will be able to use technology to extend our reach.

A Director, under the guidance of the RANRU Development Officer, will manage the NRA. The first Director was LEUT Ty Douglas. The current Director is WO Robert Bohm and the RANRU Development Officer is CMDR Mike Hogan.

Participants

The NRA is not for everyone. It is important that it have a reputation for training our elite talent. This does not mean that others can not join in, but the NRA program requires detailed supervision of training programs and this will only be done for members of the NRA. The maximum of number of participants will largely depend on the management resource available; however, initially the number will be set at 5. There is no restriction on age, but the focus on talent development will normally mean that NRA members will be younger players, both men and women

Individuals who are selected for the NRA need to have the potential to play for RANRU, and possibly Australian Services Rugby Union (ASRU). This does not exclude players who are new to the sport, but these individuals must show a good level of athleticism to be considered.

Training Content

The NRA will train a minimum of 5 sessions a week in the off season. This will be made up of 3 weight sessions and 2 speed sessions. In addition they will do one skill session every two weeks in the off season and one a week in the preseason. NRA members will be given a diary, including training content, which will need to be signed off after each session. The sessions will need to be coordinated, in particular, the speed sessions so that it is done as a squad.

Clothing

The RANRU NRA will be dressed as such. This has been made possible through the support of the RANCCF. NRA members will be issued with training T-shirts and singlets. Additional clothing and training items will be provided as the program progresses.

Individual Commitment

Individuals who are selected for the NRA will sign a Code of Conduct and undertake to meet certain requirements and obligations. This includes training in uniform and committing to the training sessions as two of the primary requirements. It also includes a strict code for off-field behaviour. Being a member of the NRA is a privilege and those selected must behave, at all times, in a manner that reinforces this.

Contact

For more information contact the NRA Director by email: mensteam@navyrugby.asn.au