The NUI Maynooth Rugby Performance Centre is open to all Rugby Club Members who attend the University. The aim of the Centre being to enhance the students prospects within the game of rugby and to continue to achieve success with the university teams. Thanks to some innovative thinking and support From Barnhall RFC, rugby in Maynooth is sure to flourish.

The Following topics will be covered throughout the year

Rugby related activities    Psychological Development and application Physical Development

· Individual skills
· Positional skills
· Unit skills
· Team skills
· Team tactics
· Tactical development/awareness
· Game analysis/video
· Laws of the game
· Mentor scheme
· Mental preparation
· Leadership styles
· Planning and implementing coaching sessions
· coaching experience
· Physiological tests
· Medical screening
· Strength Taining Programme
· Speed and endurance
· Wrestling
· Nutrition

These topics are covered in 4 week cycles throughout the year and any member of the university rugby team is welcome to get involved at any stage.
The Rugby Performance Centre has taken 2 years to put the structures in place and will continually evolve throughout the student's time in the university.
Conall O'Callaghan. One of our first scholarship students in the university was part of the initial programme. Here is what he has to say about his experience on the programme,
“When asked to write about my personnel experience of the NUI Maynooth/Barnhall rugby scholarship after being part of it for six months I can safely say my experience so far has been nothing but a positive one. It's quite hard to picture my college and rugby life now without the scholarship. The Scholarship has improved my personal fitness, strength and skill, and has had a visible impact on my match performance in a short space of time. Just as importantly, I have improved mentally aspects of my rugby into a more focused, determined and intelligent rugby player. The physical and mental preparation afforded by the Scholarship is invaluable, and it is fantastic to be working towards your goals with people there to help, improve, and nurture you along the way. Not only is the Scholarship rewarding to your rugby, but it helps shape you into a better organised, aware and responsible student as well.” Conall O'Callaghan.
As part of the link up with Barnhall, players from the youth's system 16-20's are invited to take part in a summer programme. This is an intense 6 week programme aimed at introducing the players to the Performance Centre. Players are tutored in the gym and coached general conditioning and speed work on the field.