They returned from their break and were put straight to work at Farrer High School on Sunday with speed, endurance and strength testing to show how much they have improved since the start of the summer program.

The good news is most players showed improvement and some were particularly outstanding.

Warialda half Ryan Stevens scored 20.1 on the yo-yo test.

“That’s the best that we’ve ever had,” head coach Jamie McCormack said.

“It’s a record.

“That just shows how keen he is.

“It’s good to get them back after Christmas to see what a difference it’s made.”

And there were plenty of other good performers too, like Jack Pawsey who was second in the yo-yo test but was also last standing in one of the strength tests.

They also did 40m sprints and push-ups and rated their scores against those recorded back in November.

Young local referees also joined the squad for testing and training.

The squad has one more training run before playing against two junior NRL sides next month.

The two GNA sides will face teams from the Newcastle Knights and the Bulldogs at Kurri Kurri on February 5.

“They all get to play each other in short games,” McCormack said.

“So everyone will get a good run.

“That’s what we’ll be working hard on the next two sessions, getting ready for that.

“So we’ll be getting into some team work.”

The last session is on January 30 at Scully Park.

• The Oxley region is also on the lookout for coaches and trainers for 2010.

Applications for the under 18s positions will close on February 5 and should be forwarded to Ross Hamilton.

The Oxley Pioneers under 18s play at Muswellbrook on the weekend on April 17 and 18 with the semis to follow the next weekend and the final to be played ahead of the City/Country Origin game at Port Macquarie on May 7.