"Our leadership development program positions the individual in the best possible way to not only excel in his rugby career but also to compete in the global economy after completion of his rugby career".

 Marinus Van Der Watt
Director of Coaching

THE INTERNATIONAL RUGBY INSTITUTE

RUGBY DEVELOPMENT & UNIVERSITY GAP-YEAR

The International Rugby Institute (IRI) is at the forefront of player and coach development in South Africa and specialises in providing rugby players, who did not receive the necessary exposure to obtain a professional rugby contract, with an opportunity to develop their rugby skills in a professional rugby environment. The International Rugby Institute (IRI), based in Pretoria, South Africa, also provides young rugby players, who want to pursue rugby as a career, with a unique pathway that combines player and coaching development at a professional level with access to the EDUVISA Graduate Management Programme based on the UK-Ofqual and UK-BAC University Curriculum. The IRI Rugby Development GAP-Year was designed and developed as a GAP-Year for young rugby players between the ages of 16 and 22.  The holistic development of each aspiring professional rugby player, who may succeed in becoming part of an elite group who has to face the challenges faced by rugby professionals, or the individual who may not succeed in the world of rugby, is what makes the International Rugby Institute (IRI) unique in its approach. 

Most young rugby-playing men dream of becoming professional rugby players. 

But what are the alternatives if they fail or experience a severe injury? 

The International Rugby Institute (IRI), as an EDUVISA Accredited Student Campus (ASC) uniquely provides the young rugby player with the solution to the "life-after-rugby" question.  After completion of the IRI Development GAP-Year, the young rugby player will have moved to or be knocking at the level of professional rugby. In addition, he also will have obtained clarity about his purpose in life and what career opportunities he wishes to pursue in the foreseeable future outside the sphere of rugby. 

The IRI Rugby Development GAP-Year makes provision for both male and female rugby players:

Key components of the IRI Rugby Development GAP-Year Curriculum include the following modules/programmes:

IRI RUGBY DEVELOPMENT:

• More than 120 hours of rugby-orientated training a month

• All training sessions done by professional, provincial coaches.

• Daily  Session – Positional Specific Session

• Daily  Session – General Skill Session

• Daily  Session – Individual Skill Session

• Daily session – Gym strength & Conditioning Session

• Daily session – Rehabilitation Program Session

• Weekly sessions – Gym  Rehabilitation Sessions

• Weekly sessions – Unit Play Sessions

• Strength and Skill Evaluation

IRI PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT:

• Boot/leadership camp

• Life Skills training

• Leadership development classes

IRI PRACTICAL RUGBY THEORY:

• SARU "Boksmart" qualification

• First Aid Level 1

• IRI Practical Coaching Certificate -  7’s Rugby

• IRI Practical Coaching Certificate -  15’s rugby

IRI RUGBY EXPOSURE

• Access to various Provincial trials

• Rugby tours in South Africa & abroad

• Weekly rugby games at a premier club (Naka Bulle Rugby Club)

• Access to the Coaching Academy
• Access to the Front Row Academy
• Access to Provincial Rugby

• Cloud-based reporting to parents

• Marketing and profiling of players to international semi-professional and professional clubs 

COMBINED RUGBY & GRADUATE PROGRAMME

The International Rugby Institute (IRI) is registered as an EDUVISA Accredited Student Centre (ASC) and incorporates the Diploma in Higher Education Access (Dip.HEA) (L3⁺) (IQF) in its Rugby Development Curriculum. This opens the door for aspiring professional rugby players/scholars to study online towards a UK-accredited Diploma, Bachelor in Business (BBA) or even Master’s in Business (MBA) Degree during or after their stay at the International Rugby Institute (IRI).  The Diploma in Higher Education Access (Dip.HEA) is an entree requirement to access the UK-Curriculum orientated EDUVISA Graduate School of Management.

The EDUVISA Integrated BBA/MBA-Degree Programme consists of the following curriculum:

• Diploma in Higher Education Access (Dip.HEA) (L3⁺) (IQF) (Entrée to Graduate Degree Pathway)  (Included in the IRI Rugby Development Programme)
• Diploma on Management (Dip.Man) (L4) (IQF) (Equals Bachelor 1^st Academic Year)
• Higher Diploma in Management (HDip.Man) (L5) (IQF) (Equals Bachelor 2^nd Academic Year)
• Graduate Diploma in Management (GDip.Man) (L5⁺) (IQF) (Equals Bachelor 3^rd Academic Year)
• Post-Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDip.Man) (L7)(IQF/RQF) (Equals Master’s Academic Year)
• MBA Top-Up (Capita Selecta & Dissertation) (L7⁺) (RQF) (Full MBA Degree at UK/International University of choice)

  BENEFITS OF AN ACADEMIC PROGRAMME 

• The EDUVISA Self-paced guided-study process allows for a flexible study period determined by the commitment of the student.
• Provides an accelerated study period without socio-political, holiday or Covid-related interruptions.
• The student/rugby player experience full academic support and tutorial assistance from the online or contact academic tutors.
• The affordable fee structure includes the full spectrum of online academic resources and study manuals
• Assessment (Module Tests & Assignments/Dissertations) is completed via a state-of-the-art Online Learner Management System (OLMS).
• Students can complete 90% of a BBA/MBA degree online via EDUVISA followed by 5% (Top-Up Phase) at a UK university of choice (Online or Campus) resulting in savings in study costs and a shortened period of study.
• Upon completion of the Diploma in Higher Education Access (Dip.HEA), as part of the IRI Rugby Development Programme, students may immediately commence with graduate studies by registering for the Diploma in Management (Dip.Man) (L4) (IQF) (Bachelor 1st Year).

PAYMENT OPTIONS

Programme Fees cover the full spectrum of the IRI Rugby Development GAP-Year as well as the Diploma in Higher Education (Dip.HEA) (L3⁺) (IQF) Curriculum:

PAYMENT OPTION 1 (FULL PAYMENT)

• R 39500.00 (ZAR) (EFT/Debit/Credit Card via PayFast Payment Portal)
• £ 1950.00 (GBP) (Credit/Debit Card via PayPal Payment Portal)

PAYMENT OPTION 2 (DEPOSIT & STUDENT LOAN)*

• R 20,000.00 (ZAR) (EFT/Debit/Credit Card via PayFast Payment Portal)
• R 20,000.00 (ZAR) PayFast Payment Gateway followed by 12 instalments via MobiCred (Rotating Student Loan) 

*Students/parents need to obtain pre-approval from MobiCred to make use of Payment Option 2.

HOW TO REGISTER

• Step 1 - Mouse-click on and open the IRI ONLINE APPLICATION FORM to initiate the application process.
• Step 2 - Complete the Online Application Form and submit it to initiate the registration process.
• Step 3 - Check your email address for further instructions and Payment Options (Deposit + Rotating Student Loan or Discounted Full Payment).
• Step 4 - Mouse-click on the   Pay Now Button    at the top of this page to proceed to the Secure Payment Gateways (Debit/Credit Card, EFT, MasterPass, Bank Deposit and SCode).
• Step 5 - Follow the email / online message registration instructions to seamlessly complete the registration process.

CENTRE / CAMPUS CERTIFICATION

• Centre Certification
• Referral Affiliate Certification