Gippsland Power Football Club is well regarded as a leader in its practices within the TAC Cup competition, setting the standards for training methods, facilities and organisation that others strive towards. In 2012 Power will again raise the standards bar by implementing the first ever high altitude training camp for TAC Cup players.
In recent years AFL clubs have been reaping the fitness benefits of pre season training camps at high altitude locations. Whilst it’s not quite the lofty heights of Arizona or Utah, at 1861 meters above sea level Mt Hotham provides Power with the ability to gain similar benefits without leaving Victoria.
20 returning players from the 2011 Power squad will be pushed to their limits physically and mentally over 5 days. New Gippsland Power coach, former Carlton and Port Adelaide player Nick Stevens will get a close up look at just what his senior players are made of with a combination of football skills sessions, fitness sessions and arduous mountain hikes.
The camp kicks off this Thursday 19th Jan with players and support staff travelling from all across Gippsland to Omeo for an on ground football session. The group will then travel to Mt Hotham where they will base themselves for the next 4 days. In amongst 33km hikes to Mt Feathertop will be class room based sessions on leadership, developing evaluation skills and accountability and the all important team tactics and game plans that coach Nick Stevens will implement for 2012. The emphasis will be on developing both physical and mental tolerance for the players, and building strong relationships with the new coach and other support staff.
For a team that is geographically challenged, being able to spend 5 days training together is a luxury that other clubs take for granted. The tyrannies of distance mean that throughout the season Gippsland Power has just one entire squad training session per week, where their metro counterparts are constantly together as a group training two to three times per week. The high altitude camp will go a long way towards bridging this gap and building a culture of team work between the playing group. The bonds and trust developed through the challenging nature of the camp will benefit the playing group on and off the field throughout the season.
With some very talented under 16 players starting to knock on the door and challenging the senior group for a position, final squad selection will take place through February with another camp for the full selected list scheduled for Phillip Island in March. The leadership skills and team ethos learnt by the senior players at the Mt Hotham high altitude camp will come into play as they take the junior squad members under their wing and set the example. With round one kicking off on the 31st March, the Gippsland Power TAC Cup squad will certainly be well prepared and rearing to go.
Last Modified on 01/06/2012 14:23