BLK BOX is at its heart a high-performance training brand. From the outset the sole intent has been about improving athletes through better training. After a long and rigorous tender process, it is a great honour for BLK BOX to have won the contract to supply the new IRFU’s High-Performance Training Facility within the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena in Abbotstown. Working as part of a wider project, €6 million has been invested in the new facility, which was last week opened as part of phase two of the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena.
THE PROJECT
The IRFU team worked with BLK BOX to ultimately create an elite training space like no other in the country and to provide a solution that would involve multiple work stations and free up floor space. The Samson Combo Rack was designed in collaboration with the Irish Rugby team, in which 6 were installed. The Samson Series is designed for elite athletes in mind, who demand more. This versatile rack offers the best of our Samson Full and Half Racks, whilst saving valuable floor space by sharing the weight plate storage.
OUTCOME
This was an extremely intricate facility that took almost 2 years of collaboration to create one of the best High-Performance facilities in Europe. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the finished project become more than you had thought possible.
We were really pleased with how the project turned out, and it's great to hear that Nick Winkelman, Head of Athletic Performance and Science at IRFU was also thoroughly impressed:
"Ultimately BLK BOX has impressed every step of the way. I don't know how many iterations of this gym we went through but these individuals were as relentless as we were at getting it right. When we look at the quality of the install and the follow up to make sure every single seam, crease and piece of equipment was where it should be fit for purpose, they executed every step of the way.
When I look at BLK BOX as an organisation from the people, the process and the places that they physically build, to their follow up in support, I cannot recommend BLK BOX highly enough." Watch the full interview with Nick here.
The new facility will play an important part in the continued development for all of the Irish Rugby Squads. We wish the men's, women's and under 20's teams the very best of luck in their 6 Nations Championships over the coming weeks and months.