Last Monday night, more than 120 Hampton Rovers junior footballers attended the non-compulsory training session under the guidance of Nick Bowden at Sandringham Athletics track.

Nick has a wonderful way with the children and being a level 4 certified AIS coach, it wasn’t just the players that hung off his every word!  It was a great way for all Rovers players to mingle with their peers from older and younger age groups and share some round 1 glory stories!

Nick is angling our Monday training sessions at post game rehab, a large focus on the younger squad is body mechanics whilst having fun and challenging their education and general knowledge. The focus for the under 13 -16 age group will be stretch, post-game body maintenance, coordination & core strength and although it was session 1 the feedback via parents and participants was overwhelmingly positive.

After working with Nick, the focus for each group changed to working infield with the balls and looking to be more creative and confident with disposing of the ball with the non-preferred side of our bodies. It was pleasing to hear feedback from under 11 and 12 players that they used these skills last Sunday.

Next Monday night, due to very strong numbers this week, we will split the under 9-10s into a separate group and have a starting time of 4.30pm until 5.30pm. The under 11-12s from 5.00-6.00 with the under 13-17s from 5.30-6.30pm.

Could players that arrive a little early please stay off the track and the infield until your group is about to start. Parents, please stay close to the club house and not stand on the track and if you walk on the track please keep an eye out for athletes training.

This program is a new initiative in 2012 and is included in junior player subs for all Hampton Rovers players.

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