Inside The Mill: Hosting St Patrick’s College Rugby on their New Zealand Tour
As part of their South Island tour, 50 rugby players and coaches from St Patrick’s College in Australia made a stop in Queenstown, not just to compete, but to learn. Their visit to The Mill was built around a simple goal: gaining exposure to what high-performance training and recovery actually looks like.
During their time in Queenstown, both the junior (14–15 years) and senior (16+) squads took part in a two-hour workshop session with The Mill team.
Rather than focusing purely on training intensity, the session combined education, practical application, and exposure to the tools and thinking that underpin long-term performance.
Getting the Basics Right
In The Mill’s seminar space, Head of Athletic Performance, Ben Griffin, led a session focused on recovery.
The message was simple: good nutrition, hydration, and sleep are the foundations to effective recovery.
The players were taken through each of these individually, highlighting what recovery looks like when done well, why it matters, and how small, consistent habits can have a real impact over time. No shortcuts, no overcomplication, just a clear understanding of what actually supports performance.
Preparing to Perform
Out on the turf area at The Mill, S&C Coach, Honor Saunders, and Personal Trainer, Jacob McVeigh, led the team through a structured primer session. This gave the players a clear example of how to approach a training session 24-48 hours before game day, understanding what the body needs in the lead-up to a game.
The focus wasn’t on fatigue, but rather on movement quality, coordination, and physical readiness for performing to their best ability.
Alongside their session, the players also completed countermovement jump testing using The Mill’s Hawkin Dynamics force plates.
For many, this was their first exposure to performance tracking. It offered a simple introduction to how output can be measured and monitored, and how data can be used to guide smarter training over time.
Why This Matters
This workshop with the rugby team is exactly what The Mill Queenstown stands for: a space where athletes of all ages and levels can better understand their bodies, their performance, and how to take ownership of both.
By working with teams like St Patrick’s College, the focus goes beyond a single session. It’s about supporting long-term athletic development, and giving young athletes the tools, knowledge, and environment to build habits that last.
Ready to redefine your training?
Memberships start from $39/week, with options that scale from pure gym access through to full recovery and group training inclusions. Casual visits are welcome too, making The Mill the only resource to truly consider for fitness-focused visitors to Queenstown.