About us
The Harlequins International Rugby Institute (HIRI) is operated by UXi Sport, and is one of the 6 national UXi International Rugby Institutes. The UXi International Rugby Institutes offer a High Performance Rugby Development Programme in conjunction with an academic qualification, and mental and life skills coaching. The programme allows for optimum development in the sport of rugby within a disciplined structure and provides the student with an opportunity to grow holistically as an individual, while completing a qualification through accredited providers, that will ensure employability during and also after rugby.
Did you know that the Harlequins Football Club was founded in 1866 having recorded its first game in 1867? The Pretoria Harlequins Rugby Club played its first game on the 10th of May 1902 against Wanderers Johannesburg.
The 1995 World Cup winning coach legend Kitch Christie was first a player and then became a coach at Pretoria Harlequins. This rich history stretches all the way from Hampstead with an affiliation to the London Quins to Harlequin Rugby clubs nowadays based all over the world in Hobart, established in 1928, New Zealand 1934, Kenya 1938, Dallas US 1952, and India in 2004.
It’s with pride we see the announcement by the Blue Bulls President, Willem Strauss of the return of prop Wilco Louw to Pretoria, joining the Blue Bulls after playing for Harlequins London for a few years. Club rugby remains one of the best rugby development platforms in the world, especially those renowned for producing professional players and Springboks such as Harlequins.
The newly launched Rugby Institute from Harlequins under the strong leadership from veteran coach Gert Mulder, also Chairperson of the Blue Bulls Coaching Federation, Springbok prop legend, Richard Bands, and over 100 capped Jannie Brooks as strength and conditioning coach, offers a rugby athlete the best rugby development program in the world to ensure that a player reaches their highest level of competition.
Players will play for the prestigious Pretoria Harlequins Rugby club participating in one of South Africa’s best club leagues and Carlton Club tournament. Few people know that the Carlton Cup got its name from a trophy that was founded in the “Carlton Bar” on Church Square.
Every match wherein every player participates will be analysed to track and record the performance of the player and this information utilised to improve technical abilities, skills, power, strength, and fitness. The program also place emphasis on mental skills, life skills and offer wellness support through dedicated life coaches.
Exit strategies for every player is important and therefor a personal player development plan is build for every player along with a professional resume. It’s now time for the next generation “QUINS” to rise and take the torch into the future, not only as players but as coaches, video and game analysts, match officials, fitness instructors, club administrators and team managers. These are all study paths offered by Harlequins Rugby Institute powered by UXi Sport.
With all the international affiliations the move for a player to international rugby exposure has never been easier through the Harlequins network!
Whether in South Africa or internationally, as the “old boys” of Harlequins say- ONCE A QUIN ALWAYS A QUIN!
