The High Performance unit of Rugby Southland is the arm which is charged with talent identification of emerging talent within Southland, over viewing rugby in Secondary Schools throughout the province, Elite Player Development, and Elite Age Group Coach support. In addition to this, the High Performance unit also nurtures young elite rugby players through their years as age group representatives and New Zealand age group representatives. This support structure then culminates into the Rugby Southland Academy, one which is revered around New Zealand.

Of the Southland Stags Squad in 2007, 22 of them had gone through the Rugby Southland Academy.

Once inducted into the Rugby Southland Academy, players are members for three years, covering such topics as:

Year One	Year Two	Year Three
Principles of Training	Principles of Training	Principles of Training
Weight Training & periodisation	Leadership development	Weight training & periodisation
Nutrition	Weight training & periodisation	Nutrition
Sport Psychology	Nutrition	Sport Psychology
Fitness Assessment	Sport Psychology	Media studies
Organisation and management	Sports massage & recovery management	Investment/financial management
Drug education	Sports medicine	Professionalism/contracts/ Agents
Technical/Tactical/Positional Skills	Communication	Technical/tactical/positional skills (video analysis)
Sports Medicine	Technical/tactical/positional skills (video analysis)	Career/personal development
Career/personal Development	Career/personal development	Mentoring
	Mentoring	Captaincy & on-field leadership

ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL & TACTICAL DEVELOPMENT CONDUCTED:

Fitness & Strength
Weight Training Workshops
Skill based programmes
Generic & position specific
Video Analysis
Playing Assessment
Goal Kicking Development
Half Back skill development
Front Row development
Tactical appreciation
Air New Zealand Cup Squad integration
Line Out workshops
Personal Evaluations