David Nucifora on the changing coaching environment
Coach of the Super 12-winning ACT Brumbies, David Nucifora, is visiting New Zealand this Wednesday and Thursday (9 – 10
June) for player and coach development training and to share his observations on the challenges of coaching within a
changing environment.
Founder and Managing Director of the International Rugby Academy of New Zealand (IRANZ), Murray Mexted, said David
Nucifora was one of the world’s finest coaches with more experience than most of the changing international coaching
environment.
"David’s success as a coach is evident in the Super 12 winning performance of the ACT Brumbies and his composure and
grace under the most testing circumstances is an example to coaches across the world.
“Coaching professional rugby sides is becoming both increasingly demanding and ruthless, and the coaches and players in
our June performance development intake will benefit from his observations and his hands-on training,” said Murray.
David will be working with coaches and players on the high performance course at the Rugby Institute at Palmerston
North throughout the day on Thursday, including a practical session in the afternoon.
Media are welcome to attend the practical training session on Thursday afternoon.
“David Nucifora is an example of the quality of international coaches IRANZ is using from across the world to improve
the standard of rugby coaching. Other staff coaches include Laurie Mains, John Boe, Dave Rennie, Peter Thorburn and Dave
Ellis.
“At a time when the performance of coaches and their relationships with players is under intense scrutiny, David’s
visit will give our intake of players and coaches a very clear idea of the challenges that come with that scrutiny and
the increasing demands of professionalism,” he said.
"What the Academy is doing is professional performance development of a quality and intensity not seen anywhere else in
the world. We have players and coaches coming from across the world to take our courses because of the quality of our
people and programmes.
“We are currently working with exciting young players from one end of the country to the other which is fantastic news
not only for the depth of New Zealand rugby, but for the health of rugby in the regions," he said.
“David Nucifora’s visit is an example of how IRANZ is bringing the finest position specific specialists and staff
coaches together with the next generation of players and coaches to advance the game.”
For media inquiries or interviews please contact Murray Mexted: 021 502 298 www.internationalrugbyacademy.com Fact
sheet on the International Rugby Academy
The International Rugby Academy of New Zealand provides world-class rugby tuition to coaches and young players
throughout the rugby world who are aspiring to make a living through professional rugby or who want to make a difference
at the level they coach or play.
The Academy uses some of the best players in the world to provide unique and intensive one-on-one coaching and player
development, and uses world-class coaches to develop up and coming coaches.
The Academy's alliance with the New Zealand Rugby Union allows it to use the best and most current coaches available in
New Zealand in conjunction with invited coaches from overseas.
Courses are based at the adidas Institute of Rugby (Palmerston North) and the Royal New Zealand Police College
(Wellington).
The International Rugby Academy team includes former All Blacks Murray Mexted and Sean Fitzpatrick, former IRB and New
Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU) Chairman Eddie Tonks and Kevin Roberts, former NZRFU board member and current
Worldwide CEO of Saatchi and Saatchi.
The International Rugby Academy offers the following: Coaches and Specialist Experts Major emphasis is placed on each
player's position and the role of that position. Specialist experts and position specific coaches at our June and July
courses are Laurie Mains, John Boe, David Nucifora, Dave Rennie, Sean Fitzpatrick, Hika Reid, Richard Loe, Ian Jones,
Josh Kronfeld, Graham Mourie, Murray Mexted, Jamie Joseph, Dave Loveridge, Nick Farr-Jones, Grant Fox, Tim Horan, Allan
Hewson, Kieran Crowley, David Campese and Jeff Wilson.
Players' Courses Advanced and Elite High Performance courses are available for players aiming for the top in their
sport. These are intensive courses that cover crucial physical, mental, position specific and core business skills
required to become a successful professional rugby player.
The seven-day Students' Course covers the same content but targets the younger player (15 to 18 years) with aspirations
to be professional players. The aim of the Academy is to build a solid foundation for these players that will better
prepare them for the rigours of professional rugby.
Coaches' Courses At the high performance level, Laurie Mains, Peter Thorburn, John Boe and Dave Rennie, manage intensive
two-week courses for professional coaches, and those aspiring to reach that level.
The High Performance Coaches' Course covers all aspects of professional coaching from tactics and preparation to team
structures and motivation, and problem solving.
The Practical Coaching Course for Coaches is a three-day course designed specifically for club, school and under-age
representative team coaches. Course tutors will include the likes of John Boe, Richard Loe, Ian Jones, Jeff Wilson,
Murray Mexted and Dave Rennie.