GREATER Northern Academy squad members got down to the “nitty gritty” by learning a few new terms such as the “spider grip” at the iconic Scully Park on the weekend.
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The 40-strong GNA squad, after a previous induction and testing session, started its developmental and training programs on Saturday morning, minus one young talent, Academy manager Scott Bone said.
“Jayden Ehsman isn’t here,” Bone said.
“He rang me to say the Roosters (Sydney) had taken him down there to do his Year 11 and 12 in Sydney.
“It’s unfortunate for us but great for Jayden.
“He’s a five-eighth with a lot of talent and played Country Under 16s last year.”
Apart from him, and Armidale’s John Boy Quinlan, who is in France playing with the Australian Indigenous Under 16 side, the rest of the original 42-strong squad was out in force on Scully for the morning session under head coach Peter Stevens and CRL regional development manager Chris Brennan.
Brennan was filling in for unwell Matt Kenny, who is the head coach of the older GNA Tigers.
The Maroon-shirted Tigers are the 16-17 squad while Stevens is head coach of the younger 15-16 year-old gold-shirted cubs.
“We get down to the nitty gritty today,” Stevens said as the young rugby league players began with some catching, passing and running drills.
“It’s all about attack today, mostly with a few ground skills like controlling the tackled player thrown in as well,” he said.
“This year we’re also introducing good recovery sessions. We just don’t push the kids into their cars and send them home for a two or three- hour drive.
“We give them all the opportunities that the NRL players have, such as ice baths.”
Saturday morning was all about “catch and pass”.
“If you can’t catch and can’t pass in the NRL, then you are stuffed,” Brennan told his eager young listeners.
That’s where the spider grip comes in.
It’s just one of the core skills being taught.
“You’ve got be like a boxer too, keep your hands up at all times,” Brennan yelled to the squad.
It’s not all for the players either, Bone said.
“We’ve also got 10 coaches from across the region come down to see how the program works,” he said.
“Hopefully they will take it all back to their clubs and groups.
“Blokes like Doug Madden (Scone), Jason Morgan (Muswellbrook), Michel Gleeson (Narrabri) and Brad House (Inverell).
“But any coach who wants to come along and see how it all works can do so.”
The GNA is also looking for another assistant coach or two to help out, Bone said.
At the present, Carl Press (Uralla) and Darrin Stewart (Singleton) assist Matt Kenny with the Tiger squad while Richard Ingram and Luke Taylor assist Stevens with the cubs.
Then there are sports trainers Dave Parsons, Chris Bryant and Dave Pfeiffer, who map out the fitness drills.