Educational

SUPPORT

Make your gameplan a career in the trades.

The Hurricanes Alumni Foundation Trust is committed to helping players and alumni build skills, confidence, and qualifications that support life after rugby. A playing career is only one chapter of the journey, and developing practical capabilities for the future is just as important as the work put in on the field.

We provide a range of education and training opportunities designed to fit around the unique demands of professional sport. This includes access to apprenticeships, industry training, and practical short courses that help players gain real-world experience while still competing at the highest level.

By supporting both current players and alumni, we’re helping to create smoother transitions, stronger career pathways, and greater confidence for life after rugby.

ABOUT COURSES

Industry training courses offer players and alumni the chance to gain hands-on practical skills that translate directly into future job opportunities. These short, focused programmes are designed to fit around sporting commitments and give participants valuable real-world experience in a supportive learning environment.

One of the most popular options available to Hurricanes Alumni is the Wheels, Tracks and Rollers course, which provides both theory and practical training on industry-standard machinery.

Wheels, Tracks and Rollers Course WITH ASSESS IT

This one-day course introduces players and alumni to the safe operation of a digger, loader and roller, combining classroom learning with real time experience behind the controls.

The day begins with theory, giving you a solid understanding of machine safety, correct operating techniques and pre-start checks. You will then move onto the machines for practical training, where experienced instructors guide you through every step of the process from starting the machinery to completing key manoeuvres.

Machines used during training include:

- Wheels: Yanmar V3.2 Loader

- Tracks: Komatsu PC4.5 and PC1.8

- Roller: Wacker RD11

This course is delivered in partnership with professional trainers John Wilson and Steph Williams. It has a retail value of $750 but is provided to Hurricanes Alumni at no cost.

Hurricane #247 Asafo Aumua

“I had a great time getting my Wheels, Tracks and Rollers license. Our instructor, John, taught us a lot and made the whole process easy. Plus the whole crew had a lot of fun with some good banter along the way”

About Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships offer a practical pathway for players and alumni to build skills and qualifications that last well beyond their playing days. They combine hands-on training with recognised qualifications, creating strong career foundations while still allowing flexibility to balance sporting commitments.

Education and career development are crucial parts of the transition from rugby into life beyond the game. Programmes like BCITO Sports ensure alumni have the skills, qualifications, and confidence to build a future outside the sport, while still playing at the top level.

Apprenticeships with BCITO Sports:

Balancing top-flight sporting commitments with study or trade work has always been a challenge. As New Zealand’s largest provider of construction trade apprenticeships, BCITO supports over 16,000 apprentices and is changing the game for professional athletes. The BCITO Sports initiative makes it possible to start a trade apprenticeship while still playing — in New Zealand or overseas — giving players and alumni the skills, qualifications, and confidence to build a future beyond rugby.

BCITO’s Sports Enterprise Package offers flexible, accessible learning to suit the unique lifestyle of professional athletes:

- Opportunity to gain trade qualifications while playing sport

- Flexible programmes designed to fit around training and playing schedules

- Endorsed by current and former players, who share real-life success stories to inspire others

- Practical support to ensure study and sport can work together