2025 Buildcorp Rugby Player Induction Camp – Day 1
The Rugby Player Induction Camp, sponsored by RUPA’s long-standing partners Buildcorp, is a three-day program designed to prepare first-year contracted players for life in professional rugby. Through various sessions on wellbeing, integrity, financial literacy, personal development and high-performance expectations, the camp gives players the tools and support they need to confidently step into the professional environment.
The 2025 Buildcorp Rugby Player Induction Camp officially kicked off at the Holiday Inn Potts Point with 23 players spread across the Brumbies, Waratahs, Reds and Western Force. The session opened with a formal address from RUPA CEO and Wallaby #770, Justin Harrison. His message reminded players of the responsibility and opportunity that comes with being a professional athlete, reinforcing RUPA’s ongoing commitment to supporting players on and off the field to be better people, better players and live better lives.
After a short ice breaker activity designed to help the group quickly build connections, players moved into their first major workshop: What is The Advantage Line, delivered by General Manager of Player Development and Wallaby #737 James Holbeck. This session introduced RUPA’s Player Development framework and how players can engage with the program throughout the duration of their professional playing career.
This was followed by The Player’s Voice, a session where players openly identified the challenges they expect to face as they transition into high-performance rugby. Key themes were around homesickness for those living away from their families, learning to budget, bouncing back from injuries and creating balance. These discussions help RUPA’s Player Development Managers to understand the group’s needs and reinforce the importance of communication and support.
Performance specialist and psychologist, Shane Winterton, led two back-to-back interactive workshops focused on managing stress and performance. In the first session, Shane unpacked the relationship between stress and performance, showing players how pressure influences decision-making, energy levels and their ability to perform under fatigue. This was explored through an interactive exercise integrating different concepts of physical and mental fatigue and performance. His second session explored the idea of a “stress signature,” guiding players through the mental health continuum and helping them recognise early indicators that they may be drifting away from optimal performance. Shane provided practical tools and strategies players can implement immediately as they navigate preseason and their first professional campaign.
A Kahoot Team Challenge helped reinforce earlier learning in a competitive and team-based format before players moved into an workshop with guest speaker Gary Fahey. Gary is a mental strength and performance specialist, mental health and addiction counsellor. Gary delivered a session focused on meaning, values and decision-making helping players understand how personal values shape their actions, influence their performance, and guide them through their rugby journey. With the PDMs assisting, Gary’s session encouraged players to look inward and build strong personal foundations early in their career.
The afternoon concluded with Career Enhancement led by Kris Viner and David Culliton from RUPA’s Recruitment Partner, Robert Walters, giving players greater clarity around transferable skills and the importance of networking beyond rugby. Professional rugby players have a unique environment where they have access to a wide network of industry leaders who are interested in assisting them along their journey of professional sport. Robert Walters provide players with skills to better utilise their network and create career opportunities for life off the field. Additionally, Kris and David presented players with resources for creating a CV and developing their LinkedIn profile.
The day wrapped up with dinner at Buildcorp Head Quarters. Over 15 past players attended the dinner to network and connect with the inductees and provide them with guidance in navigating through professional sport. Attendees also heard from Buildcorp’s Group Managing Director and Co-founder, Tony Sukkar AM, who presented to the players on Buildcorp’s partnership with RUPA and their involvement in Australian Rugby for many years. Special thanks to Tony, Josephine and Jordan Sukkar for hosting what is always a special night for players and past players.
Players also heard from a Past Player Panel, MC’d by Western Force PDM, Caitlin Bassett, who interviewed former players Sam Wykes and Laurie Weeks on their experience in navigating through professional rugby, offering genuine insights, reflections, mistakes, and lessons from those who have lived the journey before them.
Day 1 has set a positive tone for the induction camp, combining self-reflection and skill-building. Players left with valuable insights, stronger connections, and a clear sense of purpose as they look forward to the days ahead.
