New Zealand is leading the world of luxe sports team facilities. Due to a partnership with a national hotel group and the contributions of local trade suppliers, the Counties Energy HEAT is now home to the most luxurious women’s rugby changing rooms in New Zealand.
Through the partnership, leading hospitality operator Sudima Hotels has donated time, resources, and money to refurbish the women’s changing rooms at Counties Manukau. The collaboration between Sudima Hotels and Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union (CMRFU) started over three years ago. Ignite Architects donated their time and expertise to design and manage the build, alongside the hotel’s own in-house tradesmen, who have previously built hotels for Sudima, leading the construction and fit-out.
The original changing rooms were bleak, missing some basic features such as mirrors, and the showers afforded no privacy. Many team members were mothers and were going home to shower. The new changing rooms have been repainted and re-floored with shelving, a three-door fridge, shower cubicles, double vanity, bath towels, toiletries, and period products.
The main room, with provision for a laptop and a 55-inch TV positioned for game analysis, multiple power outlets for mobile phone charging, and a high-end multi-use sound system. In their discussions with the Sudima Hotels team, the players mentioned how they love to listen to music before games; they define this enjoyment as a key part of getting energised and ready for success.
The Wi-Fi infrastructure capability has been upgraded to cater to the music system, which has had the unexpected benefit of improving the signal for emergency services (such as Hato Hone St John) under the stand.
Sudima Hotels Chief Operating Officer, Les Morgan said that the company has been fortunate to for the rewarding partnership, adding that the achievement goes beyond a changing room. Since meeting with players 14 months ago, the chain consulted with them about what the main priorities were for the changing rooms. Morgan said that overall, they needed a safe space to connect before they go on the field.
“In a broader reflection of inequality, women’s rugby has long suffered from underinvestment, despite our world-beating players and the increasing popularity of the women’s game. The lesser state of the women’s changing rooms was symptomatic of that and having put up the women’s team in hotels over the years and become invested ourselves in their comfort and the quality of their travel facilities,” said Morgan.
Morgan also said that this is part of the wider vision of contributing to the South Auckland area.
Sudima Hotels has also donated $10,000 in education grants. After the formal opening of the facilities, the players will stay at Sudima Lake Rotorua during their training camp in the city.
Associate director and sector lead at Ignite, Audrey de Filippis, said that unpacking what the team desired for the space and interpreting this into a design that helped drive success on and off the field was thoroughly enjoyable.
“Continuing our relationship with Sudima and cultivating new connections with the CMRFU team for this positive initiative has been incredibly rewarding,” said Filippis.
Head of commercial at CMRFU, Andrew Philips, said that the company was proud to extend its partnership with Sudima Hotels, and be able to finally bring this project to fruition.
“An upgrade to the change room was well overdue but I think it has all worked out for the best and through due process and being able to spend the time consulting with the team we have been able to deliver a top-quality result that will not only meet the team’s needs but gives them the space we know they deserve,” said Phillips.
