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9/10/2013
By RugbyWA Media Unit
The Emirates Western Force has completed a seven-week off-season training block that focussed on player development to build on standards set in in 2013 to ensure the squad is prepared for the 2014 pre-season in October.
The training block saw the team focus on three areas of development:
a) Athletic and physical development
b) Educations and career development
c) Local club rugby.
Athletic and physical development
During the seven weeks, players underwent testing and completed tailored programs to ensure they are at a heightened physical condition when entering pre-season next month.
The team had daily weights sessions - and often twice a day - to build on their strength and power adaption and interchanged strong-man sessions with game play to maintain fitness.
Head of Athletic Performance, David Joyce, said the squad worked hard during the development block and will enter the pre-season in better shape than in previous years.
“We utilised this period for the enhancement of athletic robustness and power to assist players in being strong in the contact zone and general play next season,” he said.
“This window in the Super Rugby calendar has never been used for athletic development in the past and we identified this as a critical period for helping to realise development in athletic power and robustness.
“We didn’t want to be playing catch-up through the pre-season; we want our focus to be on enhancing strength and a rugby focus rather than spending time on basic levels of strength.
“We’ve seen improvements across the board in strength, power and flexibility and we’re looking forward to transferring that on the field when pre-season begins next month.”
Education and career development
Off-field, Player Development Manager Ryan Webster has worked with each player to develop a tailored plan that acknowledges their interests and aspirations outside of rugby through university and TAFE courses or work placements.
“We have implemented a world-class program that works hand in hand with RUPA to ensure our players continue to broaden their perspective on life challenges and to develop skills and create opportunities off the rugby field as well as on it,” he said.
“We want to ensure the existence of quality development opportunities and pathways that not only grow the player but the person too.
“Every player has signed off their individual plan that will see them continue, re enrol or begin courses and career pathways that are tailored to what they wish to pursue outside of rugby.”
Local club rugby
Twenty players took the field for their respective club during the 2013 Pindan Premier Grade season, including Patrick Dellit (player) and Heath Tessmann (coach) who were part of the Nedlands premiership winning side.
Each Force player is now in the process of completing their Level 2 Coaching Accreditation with those who were unable to play for their local club during the Pindan Premier Grade season assisting the team in a coaching capacity.
The Emirates Western Force pre-season will begin on Monday, 14 October.
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Originally Posted by GIGS20
And give them a mental mindset that they CAN WIN!!! AND THEY MUST GIVE IT ALL 110% FOR THE FULL 80MINS 