A message from the BDAFL Umpires Coach in regards to Pre-Season Summer Training.
We trust you are all enjoying a bit of “down time” from football at the moment. Having had a number of enquiries over the last week, it is properly time for us to now start to look at what activity we can do over the off season to allow us to be in good shape for the start of pre-season training in 2009.
As Kerry said at Grand Final Appointments night, “many of you have work really hard to improve your fitness during the season”. “It would be a real shame if you just let that drop over the off season. Keeping active will make it a lot easier when we start training again next year”.
As you all know, attendance and performance at training was an area that was a strong focus during 2008. Training attendance/performance and fitness will be of even greater importance in 2009. Far too many of you came to pre-season training this year saying “I hope this is not going to be too hard. I’ve done nothing since last year”. People, this is no “badge of honour”. If you come to pre-season training having done nothing over the last 3 to 4 months, of course it is going to be hard. So it’s no good complaining then that “the training is too hard!!”
Like it or otherwise, umpiring is a running persons game. It’s no good having the best skills if you do not have the fitness, endurance etc to be able to perform these skills throughout the entire game. You can be the best decision maker in the world, but this will not help you if you are unable to achieve the correct position to be able to make the decision.
Therefore, here are some options that we have been able to arrange for those who wish to “keep up to speed” over the off season. I can assure you that participation in these will give you a good “head start” for the 2009 season.
Saturday mornings.
A group of us will be training on a Saturday morning commencing from the 25th of October at 7-00am. This will be a Jesmond Park, Jesmond. Please meet at the “bridge over the canal” near the car park next to Jesmond Oval. Please be on time. Our warm up is usually done through the bushland in the park, so if you are not on time you will miss the start. The rest of the session is done on Jesmond oval or surrounds. We usually conclude around 8-15am.
Thursday afternoons.
Training is available on a Thursday afternoon and has already commenced. This is with a group from the Newcastle Veterans Athletic Club. Please do not be intimidated by this. The club has athletes of many and varied ability. The sessions are set for each group based on people’s ability, fitness and goals. It’s simply a matter of “slotting in” with the group that best suits you. The NVAC is a very friendly group and the atmosphere is both fun and very supportive.
The group trains at the Hunter Sports Centre at Glendale (next to the shopping centre). The warm up starts at 5-30pm and you need to be ready to start the session at 5-50pm. The group is generally finished by 6-50pm. There is a cost of $5-00 per session payable at the centre. However, for NCCUA members this will be reimbursed by the Association (up to a total of $50 for ALL Umpires attending Pre-season training).
Some of you have asked about getting involved in racing. For those of you who would like to give this ago, the NVAC holds racing every Tuesday night at Newcastle Athletic Field and caters for people of all ages and abilities. Racing is over varied distances each week and it’s a great fun atmosphere. Racing starts at 6-30pm, however I would recommend you get there in enough time to register and warm up (around 5-45 to 6-00pm). The cost is $4-00 for the night or $3-00 if you join the club. If you would like any further information it would be best to call me.
So I guess the challenge and choice is up to you. Do some work over the off season leading into preseason and reap the rewards or........................? If anyone has any questions, queries, comments or concerns, please call Roger Crowhurst (Umpires Coach) on 4967 4123 or 0402 038 759.
“Never quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as World Champion” Muhammad Ali
Last Modified on 26/10/2008 20:23