The Real Problem

Why Good Athletes
Stay Stuck

They have no idea what “good” actually looks like

Most athletes train without a real reference point. They work hard, show up, and do what their club asks. But nobody has ever shown them how an elite athlete trains with intent, prepares with purpose, and owns their development.

They’re training hard but lack direction

Most coaches give generic feedback that could apply to anyone. What actually moves the needle is a coach who looks at you specifically and says “here is exactly what you need to focus on, and here is what we are going to do about it right now.”

There’s a ceiling to what club coaching alone can give you

Club coaching develops teams. But there’s a ceiling to what a coach managing a full squad can give one individual. What changes everything is having someone whose only focus is you.

The hard truth is this:
Talent is just the entry fee.

Every player at the level you’re trying to reach is talented. The ones who make it aren’t the most gifted. They’re the most intentional. That isn’t natural. That’s trained.

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Rugby Specific

Athlete Transformations

Before And After
The Environment Changes.

This section is built for the transformation pitches: the clearest before-and-after stories from athletes and parents who have trained inside SMPerformance.

Before

Guessing What To Fix

Athletes show up and work hard, but they are not sure what actually matters most for their game.

After: clear focus, sharper feedback, and a better understanding of what to attack each week.

Before

Hesitant In Contact

They know they need to be more physical, but confidence disappears when the game gets fast, messy, or confrontational.

After: more composure, more aggression, and more trust in their body under pressure.

Before

Gym Work That Stays In The Gym

They lift and run, but the work does not always show up in tackles, carries, acceleration, or repeated efforts.

After: strength, movement, and conditioning that transfer back to rugby.

Before

Waiting To Be Coached

They rely on someone else to tell them what went wrong, what to change, and how to prepare.

After: athletes start thinking, preparing, and carrying themselves like serious rugby players.

The Program

Three Pillars.
One Standard.

See all programs →

01 / Skills

Rugby
Skills

Most players practice the skills they're already comfortable with. The best ones ruthlessly work on the ones that unlock the next level. At SMPerformance you'll develop the technical abilities that actually show up on the pitch, coached the way the game is played at the top.

Technical Development

02 / S&C

Strength &
Conditioning

The gym should make you a better rugby player. For most athletes it doesn't, because they're following programs not built for rugby. At SMPerformance you'll learn to train like a professional, building the physical base that transfers directly to the field.

Physical Preparation

03 / Mindset

High Performance
Mindset

This is the pillar most athletes ignore and the one that separates good players from great ones. It's not a separate classroom talk. It's woven through every session, teaching you how to approach training with intent, process pressure, and perform when it matters.

Mental Performance

Inside The Session

What Happens Inside
Every Session.

Not a template. Not a generic warm-up and some cones. Here’s what your first session actually feels like.

Session Footage Inside The Session

Check-In

How’s the body feeling? Any games this week? What are we building today? Every session starts with a conversation. Sam knows where you’re at before the work begins.

Body Control Prep

Gymnastics, wrestling, bodyweight strength, crawling, bracing, and movement puzzles. This is where athletes build the coordination, control, and physical confidence most players never get coached on.

Skill Work

One skill. The detail behind it. Demonstrated, then drilled live. The kind of technical coaching that makes something click in a way it never has before.

Rugby-Specific S&C

Rugby-built strength and conditioning. Athletes push each other, the weight goes up, and the work is hard enough that you leave knowing you earned it.

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$80 trial • Max 6 athletes • Coached by Sam

Testimonials

The Standard
Speaks For Itself.

From The Athletes

“My strength, mobility, athleticism, mental game and skills have all sky-rocketed.”

The difference is the mentality piece. Everyone putting in max effort, forcing each other to break boundaries. The moment that sticks: tackle tracking drills, keeping my shoulder in line with the ball carrier’s sternum. I’ve thought about that in every tackle since. I carry myself completely differently on the pitch now, calm and aggressive in contact, trusting my body.

James

Athlete · Age 18

“My skill set and confidence have levelled up. I see it on the field and my teammates notice it too.”

Way more confident on the field now, especially in contact and directing play. My acceleration has improved and seeing my lifts hit weights I never thought I could has changed how I carry myself into games. Sam adapts to how you learn.

Sierra

Athlete · Age 22

“100% commit and get to work. I’ve loved every second of it.”

SMPerformance showed me how much intensity my training was lacking. The moment that stands out: I dislocated my elbow in a game right after starting. I messaged Sam and instead of telling me to rest up, he pushed me to keep improving through my recovery. I train with way more intensity now and carry myself with more confidence.

Athlete · Age 16

“I thought I only had 8 in me. I pushed to 17.”

Training here is different from anywhere else. When you walk in you just switch on. The session that stands out: it was just Eli and me, squatting 245 for max reps after three sets of ten. I thought I had 8 left. I got 17. My legs were burning but my thoughts shut off and the environment pushed me to a level I didn’t know I had. Show up, put the work in, push past those barriers. You’ll reach levels you never thought you could.

Mathew

Athlete · Age 17

From The Parents

“This has been the best investment we have made for Eli, hands down.”

Eli met Sam at an Ontario Blues Development Academy practice in late 2024. After one session Sam took the time to talk with Eli about what he could improve on. I checked his Instagram and signed Eli up. Best decision we made. Sixteen months of twice-weekly training later, Eli has changed physically and his mentality has improved dramatically. He never wants to miss a session.

Erin

Parent

“I would say without hesitation that SMPerformance has been one of the best athletic decisions we’ve made.”

We wanted our child to develop confidence as a rugby player and improve their overall athletic ability. From the beginning Sam stood out as professional, motivating, and genuinely invested in each athlete’s success. Physically stronger, faster, and far more confident. What impressed us most is the growth in mindset and attitude.

Mark

Parent

“Sam achieves what every great coach does. His athletes respect him and push each other to constantly level up.”

My daughter has been training with Sam twice a week for 8 months. The impact goes beyond strength and conditioning. It’s the mindset she brings to rugby now. Sam makes training fun but purposeful. There’s a real camaraderie in that room when someone hits a new PR or reaches a goal.

Leigh

Parent of Stella, Age 15

“Tyler has grown as a player, but more importantly he has grown as a young man.”

Accountability, commitment, and trust are not just words in this program. They are reinforced every single day. Sam gives athletes everything they need to compete at an elite level while pushing them to be their best on and off the field. For our family, SM Performance has been one of the best investments we could have made.

Parent of Tyler

Athlete · Age 17

About Sam Mace

Built By A
Former Professional.

I was never the most talented player in the room. But I was obsessed with finding out how good I could actually get.

That obsession took me from university rugby to the Toronto Arrows, Leeds Tykes in England, Canada Selects, and the Vancouver Highlanders. I didn’t get there on talent. I got there by building my game deliberately through better skills, better physical preparation, and a better mindset.

I studied Human Kinetics and Psychology. I played at a professional level. And coaching has shown me what actually moves athletes forward versus what just keeps them busy.

SMPerformance exists because I wish I had this when I was coming up. Direct coaching, honest feedback, rugby-specific physical development, and a training environment where the standard actually means something.

The goal isn’t just to have athletes train hard while they’re with me. It’s to change how they train everywhere else too, in the gym, at club, on game day.

Skills Strength & Conditioning Mindset

The 3 Pillars

Because those are not separate pieces. They’re how serious athletes learn to keep getting better.

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Programs

Choose Your Level
Of Commitment.

Every path starts with a trial session. From there, choose the training rhythm that matches the athlete’s goals, schedule, and current level of commitment.

Start Here

Trial
Session

For athletes and parents who want to experience the coaching standard before committing to a monthly program or pack.

$80one time

Book My Trial

Start here. No monthly commitment.

FoundationsMost Popular

Foundations
Program

For athletes who need consistent weekly coaching, stronger habits, and clear technical direction.

$300/ month

Start With Trial

Best for consistency and weekly development.

Performance

Performance
Program

For serious athletes who want more feedback, more accountability, and faster development.

$600/ month

Start With Trial

Best for faster progress and more coaching touchpoints.

Flexible

5-Session
Pack

For busy or in-season athletes who need high-quality coaching without a fixed monthly schedule.

$400flat

Start With Trial

Best for busy schedules or in-season support.

After the trial, Sam recommends the right group and training rhythm based on age, gender, level, schedule, and fit.

“This has been the best investment we’ve made for Eli, hands down.”

Erin, Parent

Book Your Trial

Pick Your
Trial Session.

Choose a trial session, show up, and experience the standard live. If you’re unsure, DM Sam first.

01 Pick A Trial Spot

Choose the session that best fits your age group and schedule.

02 Show Up And Train

Experience the coaching, the pace, the feedback, and the environment.

03 Get Honest Direction

After the trial, Sam recommends the right group and training rhythm.

Session Schedule

Junior Boys Monday · Tuesday · Wednesday · Thursday · Friday

Junior Girls Monday · Tuesday · Friday · Saturday

Senior Contact Sam for current schedule

Book My Trial Session DM Sam First

Trial Session Guarantee

Complete your trial session. If you do the session and don’t see the value in the coaching, it gets refunded in full.

📍

Apex Training Centre

300 Bridgeland Avenue, Toronto, ON M6A 1Z4

FAQ

Common
Questions.

Who is this for?

For competitive rugby athletes aged 14–24 who want a higher standard of training, coaching, and preparation.

Do I need to be elite already?

No. You need to be serious. The program is built for athletes who want to improve and are willing to be coached.

How are groups chosen?

Groups are organized by gender and age first, then level, schedule, and fit. The trial helps Sam place athletes in the right environment.

What happens in a session?

Every session covers all three pillars: rugby skill work, rugby-specific strength and conditioning, and high-performance mindset. It starts with a check-in, moves through body control prep, then into skill work and S&C. Nothing is generic.

What if I’m not sure which program is right?

Start with a trial session. After that, Sam can help place you in the right group and training rhythm.

SMPerformance

You’re Booked

You Made The
Right Call.

Your trial session is confirmed. Here’s exactly what you need to know before you walk through the door at Apex.

Where to go

Apex Training Centre — 300 Bridgeland Avenue, Toronto, ON M6A 1Z4. Arrive 5 minutes early so you’re not rushing into the warm-up.

What to bring

Training gear, rugby boots if you have them, water, and the right attitude. Leave the ego at the door. Bring the willingness to be coached.

What to expect

Every session covers all three pillars: skills, rugby-specific S&C, and mindset. You’ll be coached directly by Sam. Nothing is generic. You’ll be seen as an individual from minute one.

What happens after

After the session Sam will give you honest feedback on where you’re at and which program fits. There’s no pressure. The trial stands on its own. If you don’t see the value, you get a full refund, no questions asked.

One More Thing

Follow Along Before You Arrive

Get a feel for the standard before your first session. The Instagram has training clips, coaching moments, and the culture of SMPerformance in real time. It’s worth a look.

Follow @smperformance_

Questions before your session? DM Sam directly on Instagram.

High-Performance Rugby Coaching. For Athletes Who Want To Play At The Next Level. High-Performance Rugby Coaching. For Athletes Who Want To Play At The Next Level.

Why Good Athletes
Stay Stuck