Source: Eastern Institute of Technology
33 seconds ago
Two Hawke’s Bay rugby brothers have used time sidelined by injury to gain new skills through study at EIT.
Noah and Rudy Ioasa, well-known rugby players from Central Hawke’s Bay, both completed the New Zealand Certificate in Exercise at EIT last year, after injuries disrupted their playing seasons.
Brothers Rudy (left) and Noah Ioasa both studied the NZ Certificate in Exercise after injury setbacks forced them to take a break from playing rugby at a high level.
For Noah, 19, the decision to study followed a significant knee injury that halted an overseas rugby opportunity earlier in the year. He underwent ACL and meniscus surgery and spent much of 2025 focused on rehabilitation.
“I wasn’t really keen on studying because I didn’t enjoy school that much. But my rugby opportunity didn’t go to plan and I got injured, so I had to do something for the year. This course came up, and it actually worked really well alongside my rehab.”
The programme gave Noah a stronger understanding of how the body functions, particularly in relation to recovery and performance.
“It helped me learn more about my body, especially around nutrition. That side of it definitely helped while I was rehabbing.”
Noah has since passed his return-to-play testing and is preparing to head to Australia early next year to join Sydney club side the Hunter Wildfires, where he plays first five-eighth. His long-term goal remains professional rugby.
“That’s the big goal. This year, I’ll be focused on working, playing, and seeing where it takes me.”
Rudy, 20, also arrived at EIT following an injury setback after spending time playing rugby and working overseas. After returning home, he enrolled in the programme as a way to reset and refocus.
“It was really enjoyable. I’d been on an OE straight out of school, so it was good to get back into the classroom.”
He said the teaching and practical focus of the course stood out.
“We covered anatomy, human movement, nutrition and professionalism. It made sense studying something I’m genuinely interested in, because I’ve always enjoyed training and the gym.”
Studying together added another layer to the experience for the brothers, who have grown up playing rugby alongside one another.
“It was good having someone there, especially while we were both injured.”
Rudy is now planning to continue his studies at a higher level this year, while taking time to fully rebuild physically before returning to competitive rugby.
“I might take a year off playing to get back to full strength and speed,” he said. “Then I’ll look at going again.”
Both brothers said the programme provided knowledge that will be useful regardless of where rugby takes them.
“You don’t have to want to be a personal trainer to do it,” Noah said. “You learn a lot about the body and how to look after yourself, which is useful for sport and life in general.”
Todd Rogers, Head of School Trades and Technology, said: “It is great to see these young men engage in study whilst recovering from injuries”.
“Professional players can be only one injury away from unemployment, so training the brain is just as important.”