Cardiff Rugby officially unveiled its new Matrix High Performance Gym at Cardiff Arms Park last Wednesday night. 

The likes of Matt Sherratt, Sam Warburton and Josh Navidi were joined by the club’s commercial partners and industry experts to showcase the stunning new facilities. 

The completion of the project marks a full return of all rugby facilities to the iconic Arms Park, in the heart of Wales’ capital city, following a period at Pentwyn Leisure Centre during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cardiff Rugby’s new facility ensures the first team squad, Rags and academy now have access to a world-class training environment at their traditional home.

Players have been using the facilities in a phased approach since the beginning of the season, but with the project now completed, the doors to the High Performance Gym were opened to sponsors, suppliers and members of the media. 

To mark the official launch, Matrix Fitness hosted a Cardiff Rugby Business Club event, bringing together key figures to discuss the importance of a high-performance training environment.

Expert Panel

The event featured a guest panel of experts, including:

Julian Taylor (Matrix Fitness)

Sam Warburton (former Cardiff, Wales & British & Irish Lions captain)

Ryan Campbell (Cardiff Rugby, Head of Strength & Conditioning)

Guests were treated to a performance-focused menu created by Cardiff Rugby’s Head Chef, Jamie Lewis, as well as the opportunity to enjoy a DJ set from former Cardiff, Wales & British & Irish Lions player Josh Navidi.

Plans were also unveiled to launch a initiative with Matrix Fitness, to support a local school’s programme by donating pre-owned kit—aligning with the club’s commitment to develop our pathway while reinforcing our sustainability goals

Speaking on the successful completion of the project, Jamie Muir, Cardiff Rugby chief operating officer, expressed his gratitude to Matrix and all those involved:

“Matrix’s support has been outstanding throughout this project. From planning to execution, their expertise has helped us create a truly world-class facility that will benefit our players for years to come. 

“Their advice on design, equipment selection, and installation has been invaluable, and we’re thrilled to extend our partnership with them for the long term. We would also like to thank the WRU for their collaboration in helping us secure the perfect location for the gym, ensuring it meets the highest standards for our team’s needs.”

Back to CAP

The journey towards this new facility began in February 2022, when Matrix Fitness first partnered with Cardiff Rugby to build a high-performance gym at Pentwyn Leisure Centre, supporting the team’s training needs during a challenging time. 

Now, with all rugby operations back at Cardiff Arms Park, Matrix Fitness has once again delivered a state-of-the-art gym designed to enhance player performance and preparation.

Head coach Matt Sherratt and head of strength and conditioning, Ryan Campbell, played an instrumental role throughout the project, ensuring that gym supported player development and provided a natural flow to the daily schedule. 

Campbell added: “The new gym at Cardiff Arms Park has completely transformed our training environment. Matrix’s expertise in equipment selection and layout design has allowed us to create a space that meets the demands of professional rugby, from strength development to injury prevention and recovery. 

“It has been a huge step forward for Cardiff Rugby, and we’re excited to see the impact it will have on performance in the seasons ahead.

“Special thanks go to Julian, Matt, and Alex, as well as Matrix’s suppliers and installers, who worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life.”