PLAYER CENTRED COACHING STAFF
Dave Parkinson reflects on the job being done by the coaching team out in Fiji.
During my time involved with Rugby League, it would be fair to say that I've been around a fair number of coaches but this experience is the closest that I've been to any squad. As a result, I've got to see the approaches of Gary Hewer, Leigh Paul-Reintoul and Matthew Johnson.
Each man is different but compliments each other perfectly. Gary oversees everything and has overall control, Leigh is a great guy and so focused while Matthew is the ultimate professional.
The guys are particularly organised with what they want from each training session with Matthew in charge of warm up and warm down and everything has been thought of.
Leigh looks after certain aspects of training and as an assistant coach is also in that regular loop with Gary. With him joining the Army Reserves on our return to England, he is also throwing himself into the training sessions. The good thing about this set-up is the experience of tours held within it and the professional backgrounds of Gary and Matthew.
Take Friday for example, after a tough game against West Fiji, breakfast was put back an hour to allow for extra sleep time, followed by a half hour stint of Pilates, conducted by physio Bianca Nixon. This was pretty amusing to watch, a squad bonder in its own right and taken in good stead by everyone, along with the serious side. Pilates improves flexibility, endurance, builds strength and develops control.
(Pictured here - the team in session. Aidy Gleeson with company (Tour mascot "BP" the Lion also involved.)
The key to everything is refueling, muscle relaxation, and preparation. `
It was surprising to me how much of a challenge Bianca's class was for the squad and I've got to be honest, I'm glad that I wasn't taking part. It was exhausting and sweaty!
Gary is a players coach - everything puts the player in the centre. While there is constant communication with Matthew about the types of food that the squad should be eating. This, in particular, was a challenge at first with our group experiencing "Fiji time" in regard to not getting food in good time after ordering, but chatting to the locals, in restaurant culture here a two-hour wait for food is the norm. Thankfully we've now managed to address this.
The management and coaching staff were concerned at the effects seen in the squad from the first game and quickly took up dialogue with the FNRL where it was decided to drop the second game from tour, scheduled for Saturday in favour of a rest day. An official story was put out regarding this.
You can hear more from Gary through an interview I did with him on our Facebook page.
Everyone is set to visit the beach later.
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