Of those eager to finally experience the newly built NSW Rugby Centre of Excellence, Waratahs forwards Harry Johnson-Holmes and Lachie Swinton were as excited as anyone.
After grinding away in the Waratahs academy for years, the Sydney University pair signed their first professional rugby deals in late 2017 and were beyond excited to use the old Moore Park facilities that had been synonymous with the Super Rugby title-winning team of 2014.
Instead, they got five years in demountables at Daceyville. Welcome to life as a professional athlete.
“Our second week they made us come in at 7am before training to clear out all the lockers. We were throwing out blokes’ old boots,” said Johnson-Holmes at Wednesday’s official launch of the state-of-art training facility that got off the ground thanks to $20 million of government funding.
“We did academy there [at Moore Park]. It was snatched away from us. There was a good aura about the last place. We never went in the change rooms, never used the ice bath. We always had to use the side door instead of the main door. It was a cool vibe that had built up around the place.
“Really excited to use the normal door for once. This has been our life for the last five years and it’s pretty nice to be back in here.”
It was a who’s who at Daceyville on Wednesday to welcome in a new era for NSW Rugby, outside flash new facilities that are a far cry from the “old-school” digs a few hundred metres away.
Waratahs player Nemani Nadolo at the new NSW Rugby Centre fo Excellence.Credit:Kate Geraghty
Executives, board members, players and staff, plus a sprinkling of Waratahs legends, including Matt Burke, Al Baxter and Simon Poidevin, celebrated a new era that has been a long time coming since the move from Moore Park at the end of 2017.
There’s a huge gym, sauna, theatrette, analysis room and administration spaces that back onto a training field.
“Me and Harry pretty much grew up from amateurs to professional rugby players in those sheds over there,” Swinton said. “It was a pretty ghetto type setup. We just got it done.
“The new gym can fit a whole team in it, which is a bit different.”
NSW Rugby chief executive Paul Doorn speaks at the opening of the new Centre of Excellence on Wednesday. Credit:Waratahs Media – Julius Dimataga
Johnson-Holmes added: “It’s cool that second-rowers can now do their shoulder press without worrying about hitting the ceiling.”
The sauna is already proving a hit with players in pre-season, after tortuous days on the training paddock.
Swinton reckons a starting side of eight Waratahs can pack in.
“The big lads are compulsory in the sauna. It can fit a fair few of the boys in there,” Swinton said. “It’s good to just chill out in there and talk shit. We’ve got a full eight and [Nemani] Nadolo who adds a bit of weight.”
Waratahs coach Darren Coleman (left) with his coaching team Pauli Taumoepeau (second from left), Chris Whitaker (second from right) and Jason Gilmore (right).Credit:Kate Geraghty
Chief executive Paul Doorn wants the Centre of Excellence to be a central hub where male, female, and junior players can congregate at once in the pursuit of excellence.
Doorn also echoed coach Darren Coleman’s declaration to the Herald that a top-four finish was possible in next year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition.
“For us, it’s a substantial difference to where we were a few years ago,” Doorn said. “We’ve had long conversations with Darren about the team. We’ve gone on the record and said top four. No pressure, Darren.”
After a chuckle, Coleman said things were looking good ahead of 2023.
“The boys are bouncing to work. I’m having to kick them out rather than drag them in like normal,” Coleman said. “We’ve got an amazing training facility. We couldn’t be happier.”
