The Gordon Rugby Program

Purpose

The Gordon Rugby Program (GRP) is a high level, focused program designed to develop elite Rugby players from U15 to Opens. The program is in line with similar programs developed and operated by NSWRU and follows extensive research and discussions with key NSWRU Coaching personnel including Ewen McKenzie, Joe Barakat, Shannon Fraser, Charlie Higgins (Strength and Conditioning) and Kate Anderson (Physiotherapist).

The GRP is designed to:

· Develop the strength, conditioning and skills of Gordon’s elite playing pool.

· Provide a smooth transition for those players to the “next level”.

· Assist in retention and recruitment of elite players by providing a “Waratah Academy” style program, above and beyond the usual club trainings.

· Provide players with qualitative and quantitative feedback in the core skill area of the game.

· Provide expertise from professional coaching and exposure to guest NSW and ARU coaches

· Assist in development of the successful Gordon’s Colts program.

· Provide a valuable link between Gordon Junior rugby players and the Gordon club, its coaches and senior players.

· Accelerate development of Gordon’s elite Juniors and build club loyalty from this group of players.

· Assist in the development of players welfare both on and off-field with the inclusion of personal development sessions.

The GRP focuses on the following player groups:

Squad Numbers

• Juniors (U 15 and U 16) 18
• Seniors ( U 17 and U 18) 20
• Opens (+/-20) 30
• Elite-Colts (18-20) 6
• Elite-Grade 28

The GRP covers the following core areas:

• Strength and Conditioning including testing, development of specific programs, comparison to Super 14 and Wallaby Standards, Supplements and re-testing to monitor progress.
• Skills Development of the four core themes which encapsulate the fundamental areas of the game. Including:
1. Offensive contact - offsetting, offloading, ball carrying in contact, ball presentation, etc
2. Defence - low/impact/buddy tackles, ruck defence patterns, blitz & shadow situations, etc
3. Attack - catch & pass, running lines, support lines, phase attack formations with multiple options, etc
4. Breakdown - from offensive and defensive perspective, ruck clearout technique and decision making, mauling, etc
• Personal Development including Financial Advice, Grooming, Professional Mentorship, Goal Setting, Nutrition, Team Building, and Career Guidance.

The GRP runs from late November to mid April.

The GRP also extend into broader development of Rugby in the area including:

• Assistance to key private schools (Shore, Riverview, Knox, Barker are the key targets)
• Development and operation of Juniors Camps open to all players in the April and July school holidays.

The GRP is the only program of its type in Club Rugby in Australia and will set the standard for Club Development Programs.