16 August 2016
 
In August a number of our coaching staff took training sessions to improve the players’ fitness ahead of the season.
 
First up was first team manager Jay McNaught who held his session on the grass at Albert Park in Salford. Jay had structured a well-thought out and detailed programme that would push the attendees and gauge the state of their fitness. The sessions started with a run around the park – doesn't sound much but it's much bigger than just the AstroTurf pitch that many players think it may be!
 
This was followed by a sustained and intense period of activities including press-ups, sit-ups, planks and running that tested the players’ stamina. There were also races and a rugby style game that examined the agility of participants.
 
The next session was held by James Wilson at Castlefield Bowl. Another well planned programme saw the attendees utilise the big steps in the event space to get their blood pumping and build up a sweat. The area just in front of the canal was also pounded as players got the chance to stretch their legs.
 
The final session saw the club travel to Chill Factore in Trafford Park where they took part in a session managed by Alex West. After getting suited and booted for the cool temperatures that they were about to experience the players made their way out onto the snow. The players were divided up into teams to take part in a number of games to get the warmth circulating and forget about the coldness. Next up was sledging down a hill which was not just an excellent work out but was great for seeing people fall off the sledge! Finally, the last exercise of the day was to run up the biggest slope in the building. With a part of the hill roped off for us, players trekked up the incline which got tougher and tougher as you went up due to the mammoth effort of running through the snow and the air getting thinner in the cold air the higher you went up.
 
All of these sessions were put on in addition to the usual training sessions on Thursday and the club would like to put on record our appreciation to Jay, James and Alex for putting on enjoyable (yes really!) and beneficial fitness sessions.
 
We would also like to thank Chill Factore for letting us use their brilliant facilities.
 

Words: Rob McPherson

Pictures: Steve Joyce, Jay McNaught