Buildcorp Rugby Player Induction Camp: Day 1
The first day of the Rugby Player Induction Camp, proudly sponsored by Buildcorp, set a strong foundation for incoming players as they embarked on their journey into high-performance rugby.
With 18 players attending from across all clubs, today was all about equipping players with the tools to navigate the challenges of transitioning into the elite sporting environment, whilst fostering personal and professional growth. The day kicked off with lunch at The Holiday Inn Potts Point where players got a chance to meet each other and develop connections. Thank you to Michael Ingrey for acknowledging the Gadigal land in which we gather on for the Induction Camp.
Following Lunch, the players heard from RUPA President and Wallaby #898, Tom Robertson, who provided a player testimonial highlighting the role of RUPA in supporting members along their journey of professional sport as well as his career and education experience. Tom encouraged the players to engage at the camp, and utilise RUPA’s suite of support services.
RUPA's Player Development Managers then sat down with players and initiated an open and honest session where participants discussed the realities of stepping into the high-performance arena. Key challenges were identified, sparking insightful conversations about strategies for managing pressure, balancing commitments, and maintaining mental health.
This led into the MTQ Plus Assessment, a psychometric assessment that measures mental skills for life, delivered by RUPA’s Partner, Paul Lyons from Everything Mental Toughness. Players learnt about the foundations of mental toughness, what it is and what it isn’t, and gaining a deeper understanding into how they can harness resilience to thrive under pressure.
The session paved the way for inspiring Resilience Stories, where experienced players shared personal insights into overcoming setbacks and adapting to challenges, creating a space for connection and learning.
In the afternoon, players delved into strength virtues and developing personal coping strategies and learning from previous experiences to grow & plan for future events.
Following this, the players headed over to dinner hosted by RUPA's proud partner Buildcorp. The players had the opportunity to connect with many past players and Buildcorp staff in a relaxed setting. Thank you to all those past players who attended the event and provided players with advice and personal insight. Buildcorp's Marketing and Partnership Lead and Wallaby #865, James Hanson, also shared his insights into his playing journey and transitioning out of the game into other fields of work.
The dinner also included an engaging workshop on Media and Interview Skills from Stan Sport Executive producer, James Harrison, and Commentator and Producer, Andrew Swain. They provided practical advice and hands-on experiences in managing the media spotlight. Players honed their communication skills, preparing them to represent themselves and their teams with professionalism and authenticity.
Special thanks to Tony, Jordan and Josephine Sukkar from Buildcorp for their hospitality and continued support for RUPA and The Advantage Line Program.
Day 1 has set a positive tone for the induction camp, combining self-reflection, skill-building, and camaraderie. Players left with valuable insights, stronger connections, and a clear sense of purpose as they look forward to the days ahead.
