Day 2 of the Buildcorp Rugby Player Induction Camp was held at Rugby Australia Headquarters in Moore Park, beginning with a welcome from Rugby Australia CEO and Wallaby 766, Phil Waugh. Special thanks to Phil for taking the time to welcome our newest group of players and reinforcing the values and standards that underpin our game.
The group then moved into an important Integrity Education block led by Rugby AU’s Head of Integrity, Danielle Hodgson. Danielle’s first session, Thinking Through Your Personal Integrity Obligations, focused on players’ responsibilities in the public eye, particularly around social media behaviour and online safety. She emphasised the importance of awareness and accountability in personal conduct as a professional athlete.
After a short break, Danielle delivered the second part of the Integrity pillar, an interactive role-play session where players worked through real-life scenarios they may encounter both online and in social settings. This session enabled players to practise making responsible decisions under pressure, reinforcing the importance of sound judgement and professional behaviour.
Players then walked to Allianz Stadium for an immersive session on dealing with the media, presented by Senior Producer of Channel Nine, Elly Chapman. Elly provided practical guidance and tools for navigating media interactions, especially during player interviews. Each player learnt core communication techniques designed to help them present themselves and their teams with professionalism and authenticity. The session offered a realistic preview of media expectations and how to carry themselves confidently on camera.
After lunch, players rotated through three 30-minute breakout sessions:
1️⃣ Make a Difference to Others - Steve Dresler (What Ability)
Presented by What Ability founder Steve Dresler, this session showcased the organisation’s work supporting people living with autism, Down syndrome, and other disabilities to participate in fun community activities. Support workers take participants bushwalking, swimming, and out to parks and restaurants to build confidence and life skills. The session highlighted the importance of social contribution and inclusion, showing players how they can use their platform to make a meaningful impact.
2️⃣ Social Media Blueprint for Athletes - Vickie Saunders (The Athlete Brand Builders)
Presented by Vickie Saunders, founder of The Athlete Brand Builders and long-time supporter of RUPA members, this session provided players with strategies to better understand and shape their personal brand. Vickie equipped athletes with practical tools to define their identity both on and off the field. The session offered a clear, structured approach to building an authentic and professional digital presence aligned with their values and long-term career goals.
3️⃣ The Building Blocks of Buying a Property - Reuben Way (AZURA)
AZURA Senior Finance Broker and former professional footballer, Reuben Way, introduced players to the fundamentals of property ownership, including loans, deposits, and the role of mortgage brokers. He provided a strong foundational understanding of property as an asset, along with insights tailored to the circumstances of professional athletes.
The professional development sessions continued into the afternoon with two major finance workshops facilitated by BDO, RUPA’s long-standing major partner. Mitchell Tieck led the first session, which focused on taxation and gave players a clearer understanding of how to maximise their income, what to expect in their first professional year, and how to avoid common financial pitfalls. A key takeaway for players was the wide range of unique tax offsets available to professional athletes and the value of seeking support to improve financial literacy.
The second session, led by Sulo Kulendran, centred on personal spending habits, effective budgeting, investment principles, and building healthy financial habits that will support players throughout and beyond their rugby careers.
The day concluded with a gym session at Rugby Australia and dinner back at Potts Point, giving players the chance to switch off, relax, and connect socially after a productive day. Congratulations to all players for their engagement throughout what has been a great 2025 Induction Camp. Special thanks to Rugby Australia for hosting the inductees and providing us with a great space for learning and connection.
