GREATER Northern Academy Tigers and Cubs began their new development program in a heatwave at Jack Woolaston Oval on the weekend.
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With temperatures hovering about 40 degrees GNA coaches were judicious in their training activities, ensuring the teenaged GNA members had numerous breaks and hydration.
The young academy members weren’t the only ones learning from the various skill drills run by head coaches Matt Kenny and Peter Stevens.
Group 21 coaches and officials such as Garry Jones, Steve Haylen and Scott Pennell also spent two days watching and learning.
Haylen, a Muswellbrook stalwart player who played NSW Country has coached the club’s Under 18 side the past five years.
In 2015 he’s branching out to coach the Group 21 Under 16s.
“The 18s have been in five grand finals and won three,” he said.
“I’m branching out to do a bit of the rep stuff this season – the Group 16s.
“I’m just looking for something a bit different and to move up the coaching tree.
“I’ve been invited to come up here and it’s great to see what they do. Great to see so many good kids running around.
“And I’ll see what I can pick up. The game is changing so quickly.
“I’ve already picked up a few little things.”
“Gary Jones coached the GNA Under 18s last year as well as the Group 21 Under 15s.
“That’s one reason I’m up here,” Jones said.
“It’s perfect for me to see some of these kids we’ve been developing coming through.”
He too is always ready and willing to watch the various skill drills and they ways they are delivered to the teenagers to help him improve his own coaching methods.
Matt Kenny is the coach of the GNA Tigers, the older group of players and was only too happy to invite fellow coaches along to watch, learn and help out.
“It’s physically impossible for us to stand up for 12 hours each day and talk,” he said.
“So they help us out too.”
He said almost all of the 40 GNA squad members turned out despite the heat.
“There are a few away with illness but other than that they’re all here and keen,
“All here in this heat, shows how committed they are.
“But we also make sure they are well hydrated. Every half hour we have a five minute drinks break.
“We weighed them all this morning before we started and we expect them to return to that weight after hydrating this evening.”
