Hilma Nalupe

The Namibia Rugby Union (NRU), in partnership with Donald Neilon and UXi Sport, announced on Tuesday afternoon the Namibia Rugby Institute, a first-of-its-kind in Namibia. The institute, slated to launch in February next year, aims to advance high-performance rugby, education, and sustainable athlete development in Namibia.

The institute will be designed to support the overall development of male and female athletes, strengthen long-term talent identification and retention, and create clear pathways from youth to elite rugby. 

The institute will accept athletes from U/13 and above.  The rugby institute will be focused on elite player development and high-performance delivery, integrating accredited academic and vocational education programmes, long-term talent identification and pathway management, and data-driven athlete monitoring and institutional sustainability.  According to Rudi Visagie, business developer at UXi, the institute will support the development of rugby for its players and ensure they can pursue accredited qualifications and transition into professional structures.

He further stated that the main aim of introducing the educational component to the rugby institute is to ensure that these athletes can still access their education while pursuing full-time rugby careers.

Chief executive officer of the NRU, John Heynes, welcomed the opportunity, saying he looks forward to the next couple of years, as this venture will propel Namibia’s rugby onto a new level.  “We are honored to announce this historical achievement, which is kicking off in 2026. This opportunity provides a platform for our young talent to be groomed and prepared not only on the rugby field but also in the educational component. It is a good opportunity to foster talent within Namibia and to groom talent for the future national team,” Heynes said. 

-hnalupe@nepc.com.na