Manawatū Rugby is welcoming applications for our 2026 Strength and Conditioning Coach Internship, a development opportunity for students and emerging practitioners who want to build experience inside a professional performance environment.

This internship runs from January to June 2026 and supports our performance, academy, and community rugby programmes here in Palmerston North.

About Manawatū Rugby

Our vision is simple: bringing our community together through rugby. Everything we do reflects our values of integrity, connection, belief, and determination. We are committed to growing the game, developing people, and elevating performance across our region.

This internship sits within the Performance Unit and contributes to several pillars of the MRU Strategic Plan including community development, performance excellence, and advocacy for rugby in our region.

About the Internship

The internship supports the  Strength and Conditioning Coaches, helping deliver the physical and nutritional programmes for athletes in our Turbos, Cyclones, Academy, and wider performance pathways.

You will gain hands-on experience working with high-performance systems, while also supporting amateur representative teams when required.

Key Responsibilities

You will contribute to:

• Strength and conditioning support for the Manawatū Performance and Academy programmes

• Assisting with periodised planning and integrated S&C programme design

• Supporting S&C gym sessions and field sessions

• Athlete testing, monitoring, and evaluation

• Implementing performance technologies including Vald, Statsports, and other monitoring tools

What You Will Learn

Interns receive exposure to a wide range of applied sport performance areas, including:

• Periodised training planning across a full performance calendar

• Nutrition fundamentals and implementation

• Coaching across men’s and women’s performance environments

• Use of S&C-specific tools such as GymAware, GPS units, and monitoring software

• Speed, strength, and conditioning coaching principles

• Load management and athlete monitoring

• Applied sports science within a team sport setting

This role is designed as a genuine development opportunity inside a supportive, connected, and professionally led environment.

Who We’re Looking For

Ideal applicants will bring:

• Current or completed degree in sport science, exercise science, physical education, or a similar field

• Strong passion for athletic development and long-term performance pathways

• Good understanding of the physical demands of rugby

• Strong interpersonal skills and willingness to learn

• Preferably First Aid and CPR certification

• Solid computer literacy

This internship is volunteer-based and ideal for students or graduates wanting applied experience to support future study or S&C accreditation.

Reporting Lines and Key Relationships

• Reports to: Head Strength and Conditioning Coach

• Internal relationships: MRU staff, players, board members

• External relationships: New Zealand Rugby, Super Rugby franchises, clubs, sponsors, community partners

How to Apply

Interested applicants can submit:

• A short cover letter

• A CV outlining relevant study and experience

Applications can be emailed to geoffp@manawaturugby.co.nz

Submissions by 15 December

Article added: Tuesday 02 December 2025