There were two development camps for the YS men’s group over the Festive period. The first camp lasted for 3 days and had the Transition game as its theme. The second camp focused on Side Out play and lasted for two days. The quality of the engagement and work from the players was excellent. The level of support offered by the parents in transporting the players to and from Ravenscraig Regional Centre was essential to the success of the programme.
The work in the camps included technical sessions, sports psychology exercises, elements of strength and conditioning, specialist sessions for key positions, and tournament play. It was a tough, tough programme for the players, but they worked and learned and achieved with a smile on their faces.
Key outcomes from the camps included a better understanding of the central themes, progress in particular with the setters, the introduction of individual training diaries, and a better clarity on the characteristics that are required for an elite level programme.
Thanks are due to several people. To the Coaching Staff for their commitment and professionalism. To the Staff at Ravenscraig for their ongoing support. To Scott Mackenzie for his help with the tournament, and a special mention should be made of the families who hosted the players who travelled down from Orkney. Taking it all together there was such a sense of ‘Team effort’. It was a pleasure to be part of it.
The next session for the YS Programme is on January 27th at Coltness High School. Why don’t you come along and share in the excellence?
A final note would be to say thank you and well done to the players for their considerable efforts.
Thomas Dowens
Head Coach
Men’s YS Programme
January 2013
