Since the competition’s inception in 2008, the Raiders have consistently been among the best performers in the NYC. With our Raiders Under 20s set to kick their season off on Saturday, Raiders Media sat down with NYC Strength and Conditioning Coach Jeremy Robinson to discuss pre-season training results.
Robinson is a West Belconnen Warriors junior who progressed through the Raiders junior grades to play first grade in 1996 as well as a season with Paris St Germaine in the English Super League in 1997.
After his playing career he was recruited onto the coaching staff by Neil Henry in 2007 before being employed as strength and conditioning coach with the Australian Federal Police in their elite tactical unit.
While he enjoyed his time with the AFP, Robinson is thrilled to be back at the Raiders and has transformed the talented young squad into peak physical condition.
“At the start of the year I sat down with Coach Mick Mantelli and Assistant Coaches Dean Souter and Kenny Nagas and discussed the physical attributes and strength and conditioning goals for this age group,” Robinson said.
“We were a pretty fit squad to start with. In relation to the testing we conducted at the start of the year I was quite happy but we did need that extra time in the gym to put on some necessary size.
“The goal was to increase our power-strength ratios and increase lean muscle mass. Basically we wanted to give them some body armour if they are to progress through to first grade at some stage this year.
“We also looked at the fact that we have a fairly small squad compared to the size of some of the other clubs. The big focus has been on the growth of our lean muscle mass and on improving our strength and power in the gym.”
With many of the squad not having trained in a professional set-up before, education is a big element of Robinson’s role.
“It’s a big transition for a lot of these guys coming into this sort of set-up,” explained Robinson. “My training ethos revolves around their work ethic, commitment, timings and not finishing short in any drill. Professionalism should be taught at a young age and making sure that the discipline is there early.
“Everyone was given individual targets as far as body compositions and skin folds and we’ve followed pretty much the same guidelines and standards of the NRL programs.
“I’ve been happy with how the boys have responded. It obviously took them a while to adapt to a new strength and conditioning coach but now that they know my training ethos and expectations whether it’s on the field, at the gym, nutrition wise or personal habits, it’s black and white for them now.
“I am happy with where the 20’s are at overall as a playing group with their preparation for the 2014 season. The pre-season has been hard mentally and physically but the players are now seeing the results with their testing.”
Robinson nominated Luke Bateman, Ricky Garard, Patrick Mago, Tevita Pangai and Trent Schubach as stand-outs this pre-season whilst also praising the professionalism of Scott Doyle in his rehabilitation.
All players were set individual targets to meet in the gym with strength/power and on the filed with conditioning specific to playing positions.
Here are the best ranking players in each category:
Forwards
Max Aerobic Speed testing
1. Mitchell Shaw
2. Luke Bateman
3. Jared Mcllwrick
Anaerobic Endurance
1. Mitchell Shaw
2. Luke Bateman
3. Jared Mcllwrick
Forwards 10m Speed
1. Hamad
2. Atchison
3. Bateman
Bench Press: Scott Doyle
3RM Back Squat: Luke Bateman
Hang Clean: Luke Bateman
Backs
Max Aerobic Speed Testing
1. Ricky Garad
2. Rouke Osullivan
3. Lachlan Hurst
Anaerobic Endurance
1. Ricky Garad
2. Rouke Osullivan
3. Lachlan Hurst
Speed 10m Backs
1. Leu Saipani
2. Ricky Garad
3. Issac Hamad
Deadlift: Ricky Garad
Underhand Chip Up 1RM: Ricky Garad
Hang Clean: Ricky Garad
