Athlete Development Program
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Built to perform
Ryde Rugby and Ethos Performance have partnered to bring a structured, high-performance approach to athlete development within our junior program.
This partnership focuses on developing strength, speed, power, and resilience - built progressively and applied directly to the demands of Rugby Union.
The Partnership
Ryde Rugby is proud to partner with Ethos Performance to deliver a consistent, measurable approach to athlete development.
By integrating high-performance testing, structured speed training, and strength & conditioning principles, players are exposed to an environment typically reserved for elite pathways.
Athletes gain access to:
The objective is simple - develop more capable athletes and raise the standard across the program.
Neini Tuipulotu, Ryde Rugby President
Key Focus Areas
STRATEGY
Speed & Power
Dedicated speed sessions across the season, targeting acceleration, top speed, and reactive movement specific to rugby.
Performance Testing
Structured testing using timing gates and force decks to establish baselines and measure development.
BRANDING
Injury Reduction
Mobility and strength assessments used to identify limitations early and support long-term durability.
Progress Tracking
Individual reporting with team benchmarks allows athletes and coaches to track development across the season.
Program Overview
Each season, 24 junior athletes are selected to participate in Performance Testing and ongoing Speed Development Sessions.
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This program is fully funded by Ryde Rugby as part of its commitment to long-term athlete development.
Selection Criteria
This program is designed for athletes ready to engage with a structured training environment.
To be eligible, athletes must meet the following:
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Age: 10+ (9 considered in special cases)
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Athletic Base: A foundational level of fitness is required
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Availability: Monday sessions, 6:00pm (consistent attendance expected)
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Uniform: Full Ryde Rugby training gear required
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Attitude: Coachable, disciplined, and willing to be challenged
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Testing Protocol
Ethos Performance delivers a comprehensive testing battery across mobility, power, speed, and strength. All assessments are standardised and widely used in high-performance environments.
Mobility
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Knee to Wall - Ankle mobility and injury risk indicator
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Active Straight Leg Raise - Hamstring and hip mobility
Power
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Countermovement Jump - Lower body power (force decks)
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Hop Test - Single-leg reactivity and control
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Broad Jump - Horizontal force production
Speed & Agility
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30m Sprint with 10m Split - Acceleration and top speed
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505 Change of Direction - Deceleration and re-acceleration
Strength
Max Push-Up Test - Upper body strength and endurance.
Individual Performance Reports
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Following each testing session, athletes receive an individual report including:
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Results across all assessments
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Comparison to team averages
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Progress tracking across re-tests
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Key insights to guide development
This creates accountability and provides clear direction for improvement.
About Ethos Performance
Ethos Performance is a high-performance training environment specialising in strength and conditioning for athletes. The facility operates with a structured approach to athlete development, combining programming, objective testing, and consistent coaching to build physically prepared athletes.
Their methodology is centred on long-term development rather than short-term outcomes, with a focus on movement quality, strength, speed, and resilience that transfers directly to sport.
Ethos Performance has worked with athletes competing across the NRL, NRLW, and international-level rugby union, as well as combat sports and other field-based codes. Their work has consistently delivered measurable improvements in speed, power, and overall performance, supported by systems drawn from high-performance environments.
The focus remains on accountability, progression, and producing results that translate directly to competition.
Through this partnership, Ryde Rugby athletes are exposed to a standard of preparation that supports both immediate performance and long-term progression.