Wallabies star David Pocock has welcomed the Brumbies’ impending $15 million move to a state-of-the-art training base at the University of Canberra that will include an “updated sleeping room”.
The relocation plan was announced on Tuesday and will take place after the construction of a world-class gymnasium, swimming pool, recovery centre, kitchen and, of course, a new rugby field.
Under wily South African coach Jake White, one of the Brumbies’ daily requirements is a two-hour siesta in blacked-out rooms at their current training base in Manuka.
As part of the move, White’s squad have been promised whiz-bang new sleeping facilities as well as more showers.
“It’s great for the club,” Pocock said.
“At the moment, we’ve got about three or four showers for 30-odd players.”
The Brumbies’ compulsory lie down takes place between 1pm and 3pm, after the squad assembles for breakfast at 7.30am, then trains and lunches and before an afternoon meeting and team run.
With the project still awaiting full approval, exact details of the new sleeping facilities remain a mystery but the Brumbies believe they will be the best-equipped team in the Super Rugby competition.
The cost of the sports-hub will be shared by the Brumbies, the University of Canberra and the ACT Labor Government, who have committed $5 million towards the new facility.
Brumbies chief Andrew Fagan said the relocation would provide a “long-term solution for the ACT and Southern NSW Rugby Union, and potentially other ACT-based sporting bodies, for at least the next 30 years”.
The exact commencement date of the relocation is not yet known but the Brumbies could move to the University of Canberra in temporary accommodation as early as next season.
frisky
Guest
Red Block: Has Quade ever said a single sensible thing in his life? Let me know when Mr Me does so.
AndyS
Guest
No necessary Pollock, it's a uni. They'll have hot and cold running undergrads for that sort of thing... ;)
Bakkies
Guest
You would have to admit their current training facilities are a disgrace. Only 4 showers for well over 30 players and staff. The Brumbies are simply following the Irish model of moving provincial teams training facilities to university campuses. It has improved the infrastructure and preparation significantly.
Bakkies
Guest
With players like Ashley Cooper, Giteau, Elsom, Valentine, Hoiles, etc gone the player wage bill would be low. We have cleaned out the coaching staff (not just Rea and Friend). The academy is gone to thanks to Nucifora.
Billy Bob
Guest
Pollock, I don't know if they are soft, or not. But your attitude to the role of rest in a regime of fitness development, belongs in another century. Keep the cuddly toys. You obviously need a hug.
Pollock
Guest
I have a number of fluffy toys that my kids don't use any more that I will send down to the new $15 m centre fior the players to cuddle. Am I the only person who cringes and feels embarrassed for the players when you hear how they are pandered too. With any luck I will be proved wrong and the Brumbies will rip a new one for the NZ and SA sides next year however looking back over the last 5 or 6 years is it any surprise that Australian rugby seems a bit soft.
Wilson
Guest
This isn't really innovative news. Other super teams already have sleep quarters available to players. The Force have beds for 15-20 players and have rest times after lunch in much the same fashion. They've done this for years. It's just news to the media obviously. I think it is great that rugby teams are getting better facilities and that the government is helping to make this happen. It can only be good for Australian rugby.
Wilson
Guest
The Wallabies are a traveling program. They get to use the best facilities in each state or city that they visit. And whne injured they usually go back to their super club to recoup; just like Pocock is in this article. Cooper hasn't a leg to stand on regarding facilities as Tweeted by Steven Moore days after Coopers intial tweets.
Crockycrocky
Guest
So the CEO commits to spending money before he has it .... Somehow in last 12mths he has found the money for a top coach, has found the money for a chef and team meals at coach request when unable to afford it previously, has found the money for top player like Pocock ... And this in a season when the major financial sponsor pulled out ..... The development application is officially still in the 'proposal not confirmed' stage unless Andrew Fagan and the Brumbies Accountants know something that the rest of us don't..... How else will they be able to find their contribution of $5million?
Ack
Guest
As much as I love the Brumbies (a member for the past 10 years) - I squirmed at the thought of $15M for a bedroom. Hopefully there are some other facilities (like a rehab centre after last year) that will prove more valuable in the deal with UCan. BTW Sportym - enjoy the the lessor standard of insight elsewhere, my bet is that you will be back.
Zac Zavos
Editor
Well said Marlins tragic and thanks for the support. I'd like to address Sportym's comment and explain to all Roarers what's behind the ads. The Roar is an advertising funded business like almost all media businesses the world over. The point of ads is that they need to be seen in order to have impact. But we work hard on ensuring that the most important element on every page is the content. To this end, our ad placements are clean (we run 3-4 ads per page, not up to a dozen as other sites do) and we work with quality brands to reach our audience. Advertising has allowed us to continue to grow the writing and coverage on the site. We live blog almost every sport, have an amazing stable of expert and fan writers, and we've invested in things such as the mobile site which is the subject of this comment. We always listen to our audience and value your feedback. But in this case, if Sportym doesn't want to see our ads then we understand this and say you are welcome to stop visiting the site and try your luck with other sites. Zac The Roar
Marlins tragic
Guest
Really, that little ad has put you off so much that your not going to read news from this site again? Who do you think pays to have this site up & running? The advertisers keep it running. Do you pay a subscription fee? No. Have you stopped reading every newspaper & magazine on the planet? I highly doubt it. The odd ad should not prevent you from reading this great site. You need a reality check. BTW - I don't work for the Roar.
Stop Kicking
Guest
For the past couple of seasons when things werent going so well there was a number of people blaming the board and in particular Andrew Fagan. In some areas the critisism was correct but following a review In the past 12 - 18 months Fagan has proven himfelf to be a quality CEO with a number of moves that have secured the Brumbies future within the ACT. The on-field revival is one thing but in a city like Canberra where the corporate dollar is not as easy to secure as some other areas Fagan and the board have worked for over 3 years to deliver a property development plan to provide the much needed dollars, secured a partnership with the Uni of Canberra, secured a world class coach and are now going to provide the facilities to develop a rugby program that will put our beloved Brumbies back on top where they belong.
post
Guest
Really hope to see a strong act side come out next season, just to show what a quality training regimen and coach can provide to a team.
Red Block
Guest
Wow! The Brumbies have one and the Wallabies don't. Maybe there is some truth in what Quade was saying.
Sportym
Guest
Looks like the Brumbies are taking the revival very seriously. On a sader note, just looked at the new look Roar on my iPad, the MPU ad placement just below the first couple lines of the post, is awful. It's been fun guys, but this is awful design, time for me to find another sports site that advertising is not so in your face. Good luck!