Rugby Development Enters Exciting Phase In Thailand -- Phuket International Academy , Phuket

Nov. 10, 2009 - PRLog -- Phuket International Academy Sports, Arts & Wellness Centre (PIASAWC) and NZRugby Resources (NZRR), a NZ based rugby development company, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a Rugby Academy in Phuket, in order to develop and promote rugby in Phuket, Thailand and Asia, on Monday 2 November 2009. The MOU was signed by Sean Panton, PIASAWC General Manager and David Adamson, Global Operations Director for NZRR.

“We are very excited to sign our first of many strategic alliances with leading global sporting bodies. We are thrilled to establish the Rugby Academy at PIASAWC, as it fits our philosophy to develop individuals and teams in order to enhance their performance through a myriad of sports services,’’ was Sean Panton, GM of PIASAWC, comment on the partnership.

NZRugby Resources, a NZ based company who market coaching resources to coaches, players and administrators on a global scale, have an extensive, experienced range of coaches who will be instructors at the Rugby Academy.

“Fantastic for Phuket, PIA and NZRR and sport in general on the island, and I think Klaus Hebben has done a brilliant job in getting this all started, and has set a superb example on how education and sports should be tackled on the island, ‘’ commented ‘’Phuket Pat’’ Cotter, who was instrumental in bringing this partnership together.

PIASAWC, set amidst the foothills of a national park on the eastern part of Phuket island, will provide a world-class range of sports, arts, wellness and recreational facilities for the enjoyment of the local Phuket community and for visiting international professional and amateur athletes. It will set a benchmark as a regional hub for sports, arts and wellness in Thailand and Asia.

The PIASAWC / NZRugby Resources Rugby Academy will provide a perfect base for local and national players, as well as visiting international teams, to compete and train at this world class facility. Players and guests will enjoy state of the art facilities with a host of professional services from the IRB approved artificial grass pitch to an Olympic 50 metre competition pool and a boutique athlete’s hotel. Access to the latest technology in rugby equipment will be provided.

The Thai Rugby Union, under The Royal Patronage of HM The King, has also endorsed the MOU with Khun Adisak Hemyoo, Honorary Secretary saying “The Thai Rugby Union is pleased to support and sanction rugby at Phuket International Academy as well as any tournaments that may occur there.”

Development of the Rugby Academy will focus on coaching the coaches and players using innovative rugby coaching and playing courses, and is an initiative developed to lift the overall skill level of rugby coaches and players throughout Thailand and Asia. It is the vision that the participants will return to their teams better equipped and more knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the game, and be able to actively impart this knowledge to their respective teams and teammates.

“We are extremely pleased to be affiliated with PIASAWC, as we feel both our organisations visions for sport development in Asia compliment’s one another. The growth in Asian rugby has been exponential and we are well positioned to provide resources and facilities to meet the demands of this market,” commented David Adamson, Global Operations Director for NZRR.

The comprehensive rugby coaching and playing courses have been designed to deliver the optimum training regime for Asian rugby coaches and players, with the components specifically tailored to improve coaching and play levels within Asia.
The course modules will cover:

• Skills – Team Skills, Units Skills & Individual Skills
• Sport Science – Nutrition, Physiology, Biomechanics, Hydration, Rehabilitation
• Physical Conditioning – Speed, Agility, Power, Strength
• Game Sense- Tactics, Principles of Play, Game Planning
• Skill Analysis- Technology, Teaching of Skills
• Role of the Coach / Player – Planning, Selection, Game Strategy
• Community development programs
Phuket International Academy’s (PIA) three centres are the PIA Day School, the PIA Sports, Arts and Wellness Centre and the PIA Mind Centre. They offer their students, parents and those from the wider Phuket and international communities, a state of the art, sustainable facility which focuses on education, sports, arts and wellness. Their vision is to fulfill the intellectual, physical, creative and spiritual potential of all students, members and participants of the three centres.

NZRugby Resources have clients in the developing rugby world ranging from Malaysia, Japan, Thailand, Iran, Lebanon, Philippines, Portugal, Tahiti, Sri Lanka to Bhutan. NZRugby Resources have developed strategic alliances with New Zealand based suppliers that enables them to deliver a complete rugby package to developing rugby nations.

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About PIA : Phuket International Academy’s (PIA) three centres are the PIA Day School, the PIA Sports, Arts and Wellness Centre and the PIA Mind Centre. They offer their students, parents and those from the wider Phuket and international communities, a state of the art, sustainable facility which focuses on education, sports, arts and wellness. Their vision is to fulfill the intellectual, physical, creative and spiritual potential of all students, members and participants of the three centres.

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