DMP Sharks Training Camp – Leeds Met University, 29th / 30th August 2009
Saturday AM – Setting the scene
Following a 9.30am meet a fair distance down the A1, the Sharks had gathered in a small teaching room located within the extensive and impressively facilitated Leeds Metropolitan University.
Well, everyone except Ruth Nash that is, who despite having the shortest distance to travel, was in fact the only player to arrive late. Named and shamed.
So 9.35am and as everyone sits around, a faint air of nervousness circulates.....perhaps at the prospect of what is to come.
Head coach, Jo Hull soon terminates the silence with a typically competent introduction. We learn what the plan is for the duration of the camp and perhaps more importantly we understand what is expected of ourselves and each other. The mood is energetic yet calm, and as the beginning of a fresh start in the Premiership looms, Jo's favourite line is echoed in everyone's ears....It Starts Here.
Session 1 – Defence
We hit the pitch for our first training session of the weekend, a 26-strong squad of players eager to learn and play rugby.
Tackling the defensive organisation and patterns of play required in this sport is paramount to success and requires a massive level of commitment and communication from every team member. In light of this, the first part of the camp was dedicated to exploring the different defensive options and how they can best be utilised on the pitch. We also learned how to tackle an opponent up a steep hill.
Session 2 – Forwards/Backs Split
After lunch, it was time for the two units to part company for a while.
The forwards were the first to frequent Leeds Met's well equipped gym where there was a Neville awaiting their arrival, eager to put them through their paces.
All players who did not already have a Strength and Conditioning programme either through the EIS (English Institute of Sport) as international players, or those identified on TASS (talented athlete scholarship scheme) were screened and led through a rigorous movement analysis. Tracey Neville, our S&C guru, appointed through the partnership formed between DMP Sharks and Leeds Met Uni headed up this section of the day.
Whilst the forwards showed some grit in the gym, the backs worked hard on some attacking play, progressing on from the defensive tactics the squad had employed earlier in the day. Amidst the handling and decision making, a new level of understanding was born...things were starting to click into place.
Following an hour or so, the backs swapped the pitch for the gym and underwent a similar process to the forwards, whilst the forwards made for the sportshall in order to practice lineouts. You can get a lot of lifting done over the space of an hour!
Session 3 - Saturday Evening
If you're not already aware, the Sharks are a tight knit group. Bodies on the line, one in all in....this is what it means to be part of this squad. On saturday night however, the team bonding was taken to a new level. One word. Blindfolds.
Headed up by Nikki O'Donnell, the squad was paired up, half of whom were temporarily blinded and guided through the hotel corridors, stairs and rooms by the other half. This was just for starters!
The games, tasks and challenges continually advanced in difficulty and even saw the head coach coached through and perform a gymnastics crab...blindfolded of course!
The exercise was poignant and a success, trust and effective communication were vital and this is what we took away, plus a great deal of hilarity of course.
Session 4 – Sunday morning endurance and time for something completely different
On this morning, some would say you could be forgiven for renaming Tracey Neville, Tracey Devil. A vicious rumour, originating from breakfast, began to spread. The word on the street was that for every minute we were late to morning training this would equate to an “extra rep”. There were a few precious minutes of ignorant bliss as we sauntered across the athletics track to the astro pitch. Then the sharp shrill shriek of the devil, i mean Neville, caught the ears of the squad.
“15 seconds hurry up!”
Lightning! There's nothing like the prospect of extra running to get a prop moving first thing.
Three laps of the pitch later, we were ready to begin the warm up, a session in itself.
After a gruelling running workout, a bunch of rugby girls attempted to perfect netball. The result, not even close to a tangled ball of catastrophe. In fact, there's definitely going to be a team entered in the local league next season!
Session 5 – Mauling and breakdown skills
For this, the final session of the weekend, England A Head Coach, Mike Barnett was kind enough to travel down and lead the training.
Diving straight into some rough touch, we discovered early on that this wasn't going to be a gentle end to what had already been a physically and psychologically demanding camp. We needed to dig deep and support each other, a difficult task when simultaneously combined with knocking seven bells out of your team mates.
Despite the onset of fatigue, the intensity remained high to the end. We'd been briefed in the technicalities of the current preferred mauling and breakdown tactics, then practiced them on each other, and everyone was still smiling. Well would it have been such a travesty if a few had sadly passed away? I mean, we are “Sharks 'til we die!”
The Sharks would like to thank Jo Hull, Sam Jaimeson, Tracey Neville, Alex, John, Mike Barnett and Leeds Met Uni for making the weekend possible. Much appreciation in your general direction. A truly successful, informative and enjoyable experience was had by all.