Youngsters in Mallorca who love rugby, sport in general, want to better themselves while learning about and immersing themselves in the rich Maori culture are in for a unique surprise and experience next month when Haka Rugby Global hosts its first ever camp in Mallorca for three days on April 10–12. HRG is an internationally renowned rugby development programme inspired by Maori values and the legacy of New Zealand rugby and is proud to announce its camp in the Balearics.
Boys and girls aged 8-16
This landmark event brings HRG’s high-energy, holistic rugby experience to the island, offering young athletes the chance to develop both on and off the field. The founder, former professional New Zealand rugby player Troy Nathan explained to the Bulletin from his base in Ireland, that the camp is open to boys and girls aged 8–16 of all skill levels and focuses on technical development, mental skills, and cultural connection through HRG’s core values: Whanau (family), Mana (respect), Kaha (strength), and Matauranga (learning).
And Troy will be in attendance with his team of coaches bringing his passion and experience to Mallorca: “I’m really excited to bring the HRG camp experience to Mallorca and connect with the local rugby community. Over the past few years, we’ve seen huge interest from clubs across Spain. These camps aren’t just about rugby - they’re about building future leaders who can succeed in sport, school, and life.”
He explained that the Mallorca event reflects the growing demand from Spanish clubs who recognise the value of the HRG model in developing talent, strengthening club culture, and creating clear educational and athletic pathways for youth. 2025 has marked a major milestone for Haka Rugby Global - their 10th anniversary. Over the past decade, HRG has delivered up to 100 camps across 25 countries, impacting thousands of young players through its unique combination of rugby excellence, Maori values, and cultural storytelling.
With a team of experienced coaches — many of them former international and professional players, as well as cultural leaders - HRG continues to grow a global movement that develops confident, connected, and capable young athletes. Founded in 2016, Haka Rugby Global is a New Zealand-based rugby development programme rooted in Maori culture and values. With a mission to grow the game of grassroots rugby through positive mentorship and leadership, HRG provides high-quality coaching camps around the world. Each camp blends elite rugby training with cultural education and character development - helping young people thrive both on and off the pitch.
All Blacks
“After a successful professional career in rugby which obviously began back in New Zealand where, before leaving for Europe, I was part of the All Blacks youth squad, I am now based in Ireland with my Irish wife. I had a very stubborn Irish grandfather who always used to tell me I would end up playing rugby in Ireland with an Irish wife; well he wasn’t wrong. But I played in Scotland and England and ended my career with Lazio Roma Rugby - that was a lifestyle choice and my two kids were born in Italy, so I guess that’s now our second home.
“But like some 97 percent of professional rugby players, we need to continue working after we retire from the game and I went into coaching. Off the back of the fame and fascination there is with the All Blacks and Maori culture, I started HRG, and we’ve grown into being one of the largest global training bodies for youngsters in the world. We should have been in Dubai next week but that’s obviously been cancelled, so we now go to Barcelona, Bilbao and Mallorca. We’ve been coming to Spain for the past ten years but never Mallorca so we’re super excited. I’ve heard great things about the island and the growing interest in rugby; the camp will be based at the Ponent Rugby Club.
“It’s our philosophy which sets us aside, it’s not just about rugby. We teach the kids about Maori rugby traditions which are deeply rooted in cultural pride, emphasising spiritual preparation, unity, and respect through rituals like the haka - a powerful, pre-game war dance or posture dance which the kids will learn how to perform and will have to do so on the final day for their parents, who in turn will have to sing a traditional Maori song. So we get everyone involved and it’s a wonderful three days.
“We obviously kick off with the traditional Maori greeting called the hongi. This involves the pressing of noses - and often foreheads - together to exchange the “ha”, the breath of life. It symbolises unity, where the visitor, manuhiri, becomes one with the local people (tangata whenua). It is commonly used in formal ceremonies like the pōwhiri and we’ll be doing that in Mallorca, like at all our camps.
Great leaders
“What that it does is make us all one family. The coaches consider the kids their nieces and nephews and that creates a much more conducive environment for coaching. It means we as coaches can operate at a deeper level and it makes the kids more open to the coaching on all levels. We are not only a breeding house for great players, but we also ground young people who will gain the confidence to go and become leaders, great leaders in their fields. If they don’t, we’ve failed as coaches,” Troy explained.
“It’s about connecting and being multicultural. It opens many doors. We like to think we provide a grounding for life through a unique experience,” Troy added. “Rugby is a lifestyle and anyone who has played the game knows that you become part of a family, the club nature. It’s much more than the game on the pitch. It’s about being united and the pre- and post-match gatherings are extremely important. The bonding is for life and wherever you go in the world, there is a rugby club and family which will welcome any player in. Rugby is about passion and tradition. Very few walk away from the game able to retire for the rest of their lives. Most of us move into coaching and training. Once you’ve picked up a rugby ball it’s very difficult to ever put it down,” he said.
“And the game continues to grow. When we look at the professional game, the second-tier sides are really coming through. Yes, the game has changed a great deal from when you and I played it. There are more controls and precautions, especially with regard to concussions - when we were playing pretty much anything went. Plus it’s much more physical and faster, but that’s sport; it all changes and develops with knowledge and experience.
England Six Nations
“For example, let’s look at the Six Nations. I was convinced at the start it would be England and France for the title. Well, England have fallen to pieces, Scotland have burst into life and the Italians are putting on a good show. Spain are in the world cup and made the final of the Vancouver sevens beating Fiji in the semis, so the mix is getting much more exciting, especially with the World Cup on the horizon. But on the topic of the World Cup, that’s the one every team wants to win. So, for example, England’s collapse in the Six Nations may not be that significant; it depends how they perform in the autumn internationals.
Blood new players
“There are so many tournaments and tours now I think the big teams are more focused on the World Cup and use the build-ups as training exercises to blood new players and get their final formal right for the big one. Obviously you can never write off the All Blacks, South Africa may need some young blood, Ireland could come goo,d and there’s always France. I’m sure England will sort themselves out plus Argentina get better and better so let’s see what the World Cup brings.”
To register for the Mallorca camp:
hakarugbyglobal.wildapricot.org/event-6354362 or www.hakarugbyglobal.nz