Pre-Season Training Camp... : Mon Jan 04, 2016 4:41 pm  

SQUAD EMBARK ON UNIQUE PRE-SEASON “CAMP”
Last updated January 04 2016
The Hull Kingston Rovers first team squad embarked on a pre-season “camp” with a difference this morning after beginning a three-day team bonding exercise with the coaching staff.

Rather than opt for a warm weather training camp ahead of the 2016 campaign as in previous years, head coach Chris Chester has instead decided to keep his squad in the UK, with players heading to all parts of the country to take part in activities designed to test their physical and mental capabilities.

With groups of players sent as far afield as London and Birmingham, it will see everybody involved also take part in a variety of community projects across England such as assisting at a hospice in Worcester, volunteering at a food bank in the North East and offering support to flood victims in Cumbria.

Organised by the club’s new Head of Athletic Performance Tom Clough, the unique approach also aims to encourage unity and leadership within the squad and saw the players arrive at the KC Lightstream Stadium this morning unaware of what the coaching staff had in store for them.

Removed of their mobile phones, car keys and wallets, the players were divided into five groups before being sent on their way with a member of the coaching team for company.

The groups of players will now be expected to find food and accommodation for themselves over the coming days as well as take part in the community activities and challenges organised for them.

The club’s Head of Rugby Jamie Peacock said: “We want our players to be well-rounded people as well as elite athletes and the plans the coaching staff have put in place this week will take the players out of their comfort zone and give them a unique challenge in pre-season.

“There are a few surprises in store for them over the coming days and whilst we want to keep some of those activities and challenges in-house, the community side of this mini ‘camp’ is very important and we would like to thank the many organisations up and down the country who have helped us bring this project together.

“We are very grateful for their support and the initial feedback throughout the day from everybody involved has been very positive.”

Re: Pre-Season Training Camp... : Mon Jan 04, 2016 5:04 pm  

Doesn't sound like it's a fitness boot camp,

Re: Pre-Season Training Camp... : Mon Jan 04, 2016 5:31 pm  

It's different, even unique, but don't get it.

Re: Pre-Season Training Camp... : Mon Jan 04, 2016 5:52 pm  

More of a team bonding excercise than fitness or skills camp

Re: Pre-Season Training Camp... : Mon Jan 04, 2016 6:19 pm  

I wonder if this is more of a PR exercise really. Think I'd rather the squad be away somewhere with their heads down training tbh

Re: Pre-Season Training Camp... : Mon Jan 04, 2016 7:03 pm  

Bizarre pre-season 'camp'. Team bonding like this is fine, but not to the detriment of fitness building. I'm open minded to it as we've had a poor start to the last few seasons. It might do good, especially things like phones being taken away. Guess we'll have to wait and see if this new approach works.

[Mild Rover]

Re: Pre-Season Training Camp... : Mon Jan 04, 2016 7:16 pm  

I and others have moaned, in previous years, about doziness and a lack of mental toughness.

Getting them thinking, giving them different challenges and just something out of the ordinary to freshen their heads might be good.

Re: Pre-Season Training Camp... : Mon Jan 04, 2016 7:43 pm  

Personally think it's a brilliant idea. Encourage the team bonding, togetherness as well as mental aptitude can only be a good thing. As previously said, we quickly bemoan the lack of intelligence and thought process that sometimes we see from the team. Hopefully this can kick start some forward thinking and get the team focusing more on any mental challenges they may face. The ability is within this team, maybe not the mental toughness that makes winners. Can only do good this.

should also get the club some media exposure, which will please sponsors as well. This is only a 3 day exercise and i think the pro's outweigh the cons. In terms of fitness, i do not think it can impact that much missing 3 days, especially with another month left of pre season. With the majority of the squad taking part in all of pre season as opposed to last year i reckon we are ahead of our position last year.

Well played rovers, well played.

Re: Pre-Season Training Camp... : Mon Jan 04, 2016 8:36 pm  

I really like the idea actually, but I would question the timing of it.

It seems like the kind of thing to do early on in pre season as a team building exercise. They have just had a Christmas break and now this. With the season starting proper in a month it is a long time to spend without any getting any proper fitness/ball work done. If you guys start the season poorly then I'm sure questions will be asked.

Re: Pre-Season Training Camp... : Mon Jan 04, 2016 9:21 pm  

Thanks for your concerns, however I think I will take CC & JP's evaluation of this idea over that of your own.

Still, it's given the neighbours plenty to talk about whilst speculating about who exactly back tracked on overseas plans. Was it Peacock, Chester or Hudgell? Or maybe it was paper talk by the Westmoreland Muppet?