Tinaye N.

CGA Player Residency: 2024, 8-Week Summer Residency

‍Collegiate Affiliation: Harvard Rugby Football Club

Overview

Harvard University centre Tinaye Ngorima, studying Economics and Computer Science while competing in Division 1A rugby, joined the Crusaders Global Academy in Christchurch, New Zealand for an immersive eight-week development experience. The programme is designed to challenge dedicated athletes in both the technical and cultural aspects of the game, offering a professional-level environment far beyond what most collegiate players have access to domestically.

The Experience

Arriving with teammate Eamonn Lay, Tinaye became part of an international intake focused on growth beyond scores and drills. While the academy delivered advanced coaching on rugby fundamentals and positional play, Tinaye was equally struck by the holistic nature of the programme — where leadership, culture, and personal accountability are emphasised as much as on-field skills. He described the academy as an environment that allowed him to “surround myself with some of the better players in the world, best coaching and then the programme itself,” highlighting how it blends elite preparation with personal growth. The exposure to a new way of playing and thinking deepened his understanding of the game while expanding his appreciation for the work required to succeed at higher levels.

Results & Impact

For Tinaye, the most significant takeaway was more than technical improvement — it was the experience of complete development as both a rugby player and an individual. The programme broadened his rugby IQ, confidence, and resilience, equipping him with tools and insights he now brings back to Harvard Rugby and the broader collegiate game. By training in a professional culture and reflecting on elite standards of performance, Tinaye has strengthened his capacity to contribute as a leader and competitor, setting a foundation for continued growth in his rugby journey.

‍

“Being at the Crusaders Global Academy allowed me to surround myself with some of the better players in the world, best coaching and then the programme itself – it really combines a lot of the aspects that go into being great, on the field, off the field, and that complete development not only as a rugby player but as a person as well.” — Tinaye Ngorima, Harvard University Rugby