Rugby Club test ADC

Completed ready for pre-season training, which commenced on 4 August, the Centre has seen a significant overhaul. All equipment has been refurbished with the addition of drop-rated flooring (also used by the EIS and RFU) alongside new weights equipment including Olympic lifting bumper plates, Plyo boxes, an additional Myo Thrusta, a Belt Squat, and two new Watt Bikes making the facility one of the most advanced University performance training spaces in the country.

The facility will be used to train the University’s High Performance squads and athletes who will take to the pitch in September at the start of the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) season.

Rugby Club Captain Ben King was with the squad as they tested the new facility for the first time. He said: “We’re incredibly lucky to have the Centre on our doorstep. I’ve been here for the last three years and have seen everything developing. It was impressive then, but now with the Russell Seal Fitness Centre, new astro pitch and the ADC our facilities are as strong as anything I have heard of.

“Exeter’s become a super-power of University sport and this is reflected in our BUCS rankings.”

It’s been a successful off-season for the Men’s Rugby Club who have seen a number of players earn international honours. Rugby Sevens star Luke Treharne donned the Welsh Jersey at Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games and a further five players have been selected to play for the Chiefs 7s.

Having reached the semi-finals of the BUCS national championships for the last two years, Ben is confident that the new facility will give the club that little bit extra to take the title.

He added: “The last two years have been incredibly successful for all the men’s rugby teams, and this year is the strongest group that I’ve seen. It’s realistic for us to win BUCS this year and the ADC will contribute not only physically but also in creating the right mind-set on the pitch. Gone are the days of excuses when you have the best facilities at your disposal.”

2014 was another strong year for the University of Exeter who finished 6^th overall in the BUCS rankings. In recent years the institution has seen a strong correlation between the expansion of its strength and conditioning programmes and improvements in club performances.

S&C coach Andy Adams commented: “Strength and Conditioning’s importance in sports performance is becoming more widely appreciated, especially in an environment like BUCS where the smallest advantage can have a big impact. With this new ADC Exeter has become a performance leader nationally, which is huge for our athletes.

“The hard work begins now and we’ll do everything we can to ensure that our squads are in a position to deliver their best performances on the pitch.”