Bombala’s Chance Westaway was thrilled to meet NRL players, Joel Thompson and Blake Ferguson at the Academy camp in Jindabyne last weekend.
JINDABYNE was inundated by Rugby League players past and present when the Station Resort played host to the final Academy camps for 2012.
Players from Bate-man’s Bay to Eden, Cooma to Bombala and all towns in between converged on the glamorous setting to undertake skill development.
NSW Blues coaching staff members, Wayne Portlock and Trent Barrett, plus Canberra Raiders players Joel Thompson, Blake Ferguson and Jake Wighton took the 50 players through their paces, emphasising the importance of the basics and continually fine tuning these skills.
The guests also took time out to visit local sponsors in both Jindabyne and Cooma and mix with the people of the towns and game supporters.
Rugby League remained the focus after the guests left, but not before leaving a lasting impression of the skill level, ability and potential of the players in the programs.
With the weather not offering the kindest of days, the players kept applying themselves and absorbing the knowledge being imparted with great enthusiasm, commitment and benefits were forthcoming in a short time of work.
Sunday saw players up early and walking at 6am were they strolled and stretched along a 6km circuit around the roads of Jindabyne before sitting down to a much deserved breakfast.
After breakfast, the Snowy Mountain academy wound up their final sessions with some tackle technique and contact games while the older Far South Coast prepared for their final hit-out of the weekend.
Players were exposed to elite NRL players, the importance of nutrient, correct hydration, weight and its effect on the body, ice baths and the immediate benefits, rest and recovery as well as injury management.
This has given every player attending the camp the tools to take better control of their preparation and therefor obtain the greatest performance out of their bodies.
The League would also like to thank the Station Resort, Banjo Patterson Hotel, Mick Hamilton and everyone from the community of Jindabyne for their hospitality and support in making this a highlight of the 2012 Rugby League calendar.
We look forward to making this an annual date and continuing to grow our relationships with bigger and better events coming to the area.
Next camp for both academies will be in Narooma with the Far South Coast Academy preparing for their games in Albion Park while the Snowy Mountains Academy will take the opportunity to have fun in the surf.
Anyone still wishing to be involved can
contact the NRL Far South Coast Game Development office
on 6494 7341 or 0407 445 290.
