Vision

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The vision is to establish a prestigious and successful Rugby Academy unique in its environment that will provide young rugby players from divergent backgrounds the opportunity to excel in the game of rugby and ensure an academic future for its students.

Mission

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To provide students with a solid foundation for successful career associated with the game of rugby.

UNIZUL

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Course Number	UZ HMS 01 (University of Zululand, Human Movement Science 01)
Title	Level 1 : University Certificate in Sport and Exercise Training
NQF Level	5
Credits	96
Category	Sport and Exercise
Brief Description	This certificate equips delegates with the necessary knowledge to enter the sport and exercise industry. It provides a comprehensive theoretical knowledge and practical preparation for the development of the specific demands for a career as a player or coach.
Learning Outcomes	On completion of this short course, the learner should be able to: 1. List the functions of the skeleton and name the main bones of the body. 2. Identify the main types of joints and know the importance of types of cartilage. 3. Demonstrate an understanding of how the muscles work together. 4. Demonstrate an understanding of the effects of exercise on the body. 5. Explain what fitness is and recall the major definitions of fitness. 6. Name the four guiding principles related to fitness improvement. 7. Demonstrate an understanding of how to establish maximum heart rate and work out a training threshold. 8. Plan, design and present the different parts of a practice session and know the value of rest periods. 9. Demonstrate an understanding of the difference between basic and complex skills. 10. Plan and conduct a fitness testing session for sport. 11. Know the relationship between diet and exercise. 12. Know how lifestyle might affect performance. 13. Demonstrate how to prevent injuries.
Outline of Course Content	1. Major body systems 2. Fitness testing for sport and exercise 3. Training methods and programmes 4. Sport and exercise physiology 5. Measurement in sport performance 6. Sport-related injuries 7. Factors affecting performance 8. Sports nutrition
Who should attend	This certificate is specifically developed for the sportsperson who wishes to pursue sport as a career but wants to obtain an academic qualification as a backup in case of a career-terminating injury or for when they retire from the game.
Entry requirements	Matric (NSC)
Other entry requirements	None
Delivery mode	The mode of delivery will be byway of daily lectures over a period of 9 months.
Assessment Type	Continuous Assessments and one formal end of course exam
Medium of Instruction	English (Daar sal hulp wees vir Afrikaans studente)
Progression Opportunities	Accumulated credits from this course may be presented for admission into the Level 2 course or for admission into a cognate National Diploma programme.

History

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The Zululand Rugby Academy (ZRA) was established in 2005 with the first intake of students arriving in January 2006. The ZRA is based at Mick Kelly Park, the home of the Empangeni Rugby Football Club (ERFC) and Zululand Rhinos. Students at the academy are eligible to play for the ERFC u/20's.

In 2005 the ERFC u/20 side won promotion from the B division to play in the Premier League in the Frank Norris competition. 2006 was going to be a tough year in the higher division, but with the academy boys strengthening the team, they had a good year competing for the Frank Norris Cup. The team finished 5th out of 14 teams, a great achievement for their first year playing against the big guns.

Six of the 2006 academy students were selected to represent the Sharks u/19 and u/21 teams.

The u/20's carried their momentum into 2007 with a brilliant year that saw them playing in the final of the Frank Norris competition. Unfortunately the team had to settle for second place, going down 24-21 in a nail biter.

Twelve of the 2007 students were selected to represent the Sharks u/19 and u/21 teams. Anton Bressler was also selected to represent the SA u/20 team.

2008 was a less successful year on the field mostly due to the fact that a lot of the 2007 academy students were lured to Durban to go and play their rugby there. The team finished in a disappointing 6th position out of 8 teams.

Five of the 2008 academy students were selected to represent the Sharks u/19 and u/21 teams.

The ZRA has consequently produced 35 Sharks u/19 and u/21 players and 1 SA u/20 player since the launch of the academy in 2005.