IRANZ - International Rugby Academy of New Zealand

What IRANZ - International Rugby Academy of New Zealand does

IRANZ (International Rugby Academy of New Zealand) is a privately held rugby education and player-development business founded in 2001 and headquartered at the NZCIS (New Zealand Campus of Innovation & Sport) in Trentham, Upper Hutt, Wellington. The company designs and delivers tiered residential rugby development programmes — Intermediate (ages 13-15), Advanced (ages 16-18), and High Performance (18+) — alongside parallel coach education courses (Advanced and High Performance Coaches) and competitive tournaments for U15 and U18/1st XV teams. Programmes run on a fixed annual calendar with precise 2026 dates already published (e.g., Advanced Players/Coaches 4-10 July 2026; U18 Tournament 7-13 April 2026).

The operating stack is service-led rather than technology-led: IRANZ leverages the NZCIS venue (indoor training fields, hybrid playing surfaces, recovery pools, accommodation) and integrates third-party tooling — notably Hudl for video analysis and GPS tracking systems for performance data — rather than operating a proprietary software platform. Pricing is per-participant, one-time/transactional, in New Zealand Dollars inclusive of GST: NZD $3,636 for Intermediate Players, $4,995 for Advanced Players, $5,900 for Advanced Coaches, and $3,920 per team member for tournament packages; High Performance pricing is variable and quoted on enquiry.

The go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via the IRANZ website (iranz.co.nz) and JotForm registrations, supported by Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube content marketing and annual event-driven campaigns. Customer mix spans individual players, paying teams (typically 26 players plus 4 management staff), and coach participants from more than 35 countries. In February 2026 IRANZ launched IRANZ Southwest USA, a franchise/licensed operator model extending the programme into Arizona with a first US camp scheduled for June 2026. The company operates with 15 employees, has no disclosed institutional funding, and remains founder/management-controlled, with Wayne Taylor as CEO and Colin Cooper as Director of Rugby anchoring a coaching bench that includes multiple ex-All Blacks and current Super Rugby international coaches.

Name

IRANZ - International Rugby Academy of New Zealand

Legal name

International Rugby Academy of New Zealand

Website

https://iranz.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IRANZ is a privately held, New Zealand-based rugby development academy founded in 2001, delivering tiered residential player and coach programmes plus tournaments at NZCIS Trentham for individual athletes, teams, and coaches from more than 35 countries, with a new US Southwest franchise launching in 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rugby Sports Education and Training

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAIAIAC

Subject-Specific Short Courses & Academies (e.g., STEM, Business, Arts)

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/International Summer/Winter Schools & Short-Term Academic Programs

SECONDARYEDAIAHAC

Overseas Summer School Programs (Secondary)

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/Overseas Secondary School Programs (Boarding, Exchange, Summer)

SECONDARYEDAIAIAH

Professional & Executive Short Courses (Non-Degree, International)

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/International Summer/Winter Schools & Short-Term Academic Programs

SECONDARYEDAIAAAF

Short-Term & Summer/Winter Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/Study Abroad Program Providers (Multi-Country & Multi-Discipline)

Keywords

• Rugby player development
• Rugby coaching education
• Sports training camps
• Rugby academy programs
• Athlete skill development

Headquarters

HQ city

Upper Hutt, Wellington

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Player Development Courses: Residential courses for players across three tiers (Intermediate ages 13-15, Advanced ages 16-18, High Performance 18+) with accommodation, meals, coaching, and assessments included in fees.
2. Coach Education Courses: Advanced and High Performance coaching courses running parallel to player courses, providing coach participants live working experience with players under expert guidance.
3. Tournament Participation: Team-based tournament entries (U15, U18/1st XV) held at NZCIS Trentham, Wellington, with comprehensive packages including accommodation, meals, facilities, coaching, video analysis, and cultural experiences.
4. Assessment and Profiling Services: Individual appraisals providing insight into technical, tactical, physical and mental attributes, plus positional assessments identifying player strengths and development areas.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IRANZ runs residential rugby development courses for players aged 13-18+ and parallel coach education courses at the NZCIS facility in Wellington, New Zealand. Programmes are led by ex-All Blacks and international coaches and include skill development, strength and conditioning, video analysis, mental skills, and positional coaching. The academy also operates annual international rugby tournaments for U15 and U18/1st XV teams at the same Wellington campus.

Product overview

IRANZ (International Rugby Academy of New Zealand) operates as a unified academy platform offering residential rugby development programs and tournaments. The product portfolio consists of three-tiered player courses (High Performance, Advanced, and Intermediate) targeting different age groups from 13 years to 18+, parallel coach development courses, and competitive tournament events. All programs run at the NZCIS facility in Wellington, New Zealand, and include integrated technology services for performance tracking and analysis.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IRANZ Rugby Tournament: Annual international rugby tournament for U15 and U18/1st XV teams held at NZCIS, Trentham, Wellington
• IRANZ Southwest USA
• High Performance Players Course
• Advanced Players Course
• Intermediate Players Course
• High Performance Coaches Course
• Advanced Coaches Course

Products and services

• High Performance Players Course An intensive 16-day residential course for players aged 18+ that simulates the professional rugby environment, demanding participants perform and manage themselves at professional game levels. Includes comprehensive appraisals, strength and conditioning, video analysis, and career development.
• Advanced Players Course A 7-day residential course for players aged 16-18 that provides insight into professional rugby environment expectations with the objective of embedding positive training and self-management habits. Includes accommodation, all meals, training, assessments, and IRANZ training shirt.
• Intermediate Players Course A residential course for players aged 13-15 designed to nurture raw talent and lay the foundation for optimal development through their teen years. Includes accommodation, meals, training, and two appraisals (course assessment and position-specific assessment).
• High Performance Coaches Course A highly intensive 16-day course for full-time coaches and aspiring professionals, providing advanced knowledge, strategies and skills required to break into or succeed in the professional coaching environment. Covers game plan design, contact and breakdown, set piece, attack, defence, talent identification and performance analysis.
• Advanced Coaches Course A 7-day residential course focused on the 1st XV environment and coaching age-grade representative players aged 16-18, designed for coaches with prior experience aiming to create high-performance environments. Includes accommodation, meals, course materials, training shirt, and individual assessment.
• IRANZ U18 / 1st XV Men's Tournament A 7-day rugby tournament held at NZCIS, Trentham, Wellington, for U18 and 1st XV men's teams, offering comprehensive tournament packages with accommodation, meals, facilities, coaching, video analysis, and cultural experiences.
• IRANZ U15 Boy's Tournament A rugby tournament held at NZCIS, Trentham, Wellington, for U15 boys' teams, providing a complete tournament experience with training and competitive fixtures.
• IRANZ Tournament Package A full tournament experience at NZCIS including airport transfers, accommodation, meals, cultural experiences, tournament facilities, player profiling, match footage, professional coding, game analysis, ex-international coaches, IRANZ resource coaches, team rooms, recovery pools, indoor training, and GPS tracking.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• NZCIS (New Zealand Campus of Innovation & Sport)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for IRANZ courses and tournaments. NZCIS provides world-class facilities including indoor training fields, hybrid playing surfaces, recovery pools, team rooms, accommodation, and performance-focused dining. Strategic partnership enables IRANZ to deliver professional-grade training environment.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• NSW Waratahs: Australian Super Rugby franchise with academy development programmes. Comparable as a rugby academy pathway in a different geographic market (Australia vs. NZ).

Broad incumbents

• IMG Academy: US-based multi-sport residential training academy offering elite coaching, facilities, and athlete development pathways. Comparable as a large-scale residential sports training model, though IMG serves multiple sports rather than specializing in rugby.
• World Rugby: Global governing body for rugby that runs player development pathways and high-performance programmes. Comparable as a rugby development provider, though World Rugby operates as a federation rather than a commercial training provider.

Direct peers

• Stade Français: French Top 14 professional rugby club with a youth academy. Comparable as a professional rugby player development programme across a different national market.
• Rugbytots: Global franchise offering rugby coaching programmes for young children. Comparable franchise-based business model and rugby-specific training focus, though Rugbytots targets a younger age segment (3-7) and is non-residential.
• Highlanders Academy: New Zealand Super Rugby franchise academy developing young players in the Otago/Southland region. Comparable as a regional NZ rugby academy competing for the same domestic player development market.
• Leicester Tigers Academy: English Premiership rugby club with a youth academy. Comparable as a professional tier rugby player development programme, though directly tied to a single club's professional pathway.
• Saracens Academy: English professional rugby club academy developing youth and pathway players. Comparable as a professional-tier rugby player development programme, though typically linked to a single professional club rather than offering paid residential courses.
• Hurricanes Academy: New Zealand Super Rugby franchise developing young rugby players in the Wellington region. Comparable as a regional rugby academy pathway, sharing the same domestic rugby market as IRANZ.
• Blues Academy: New Zealand Super Rugby franchise academy in Auckland developing youth and pathway players. Comparable as a regional rugby academy in the same domestic market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@iranzrugby
• Facebookfacebook.com/16hixF1uKB
• Instagraminstagram.com/iranzrugby
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iranzrugby

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IRANZ - International Rugby Academy of New Zealand