News

Mid Central Hearts Camp Sets Standard

The third in the seven Zone series of NZRL Hearts camps was held in Manawatu on Sunday 1 August. Hosted by the NZ Army at Linton Army Camp, it was attended by coaches, managers, trainers and selectors for the Zones 15's and 17's teams who will be a part of the upcoming National Zone competition.

In the morning the NZRL Football Department staff ran workshops with the new management teams to bring them up to speed with the requirements of the new Zone competition.

In the afternoon a number of trials were held, during which in excess of 100 selected players from the Hawkes Bay, Manawatu and Taranaki were able to trial for selection to the Zones 2010 teams.

Keri Gardiner, Mid Central Zone GM said "It was a fantastic day. Linton was a great venue and we had lots of support from the NZRL & the Army which was amazing, so helpful. I have had very positive feedback from the three districts who all found the day hugely beneficial."

Gardiner continues "It would be fair to say that Taranaki set the standard, and Hawkes Bay and Manawatu players definitely benefited from having the chance to play these boys. It gives them an idea of where they sit and what they have to do to compete, and I heard many of them planning to be better prepared in 2011. This is a really positive outcome. I watched Hawkes Bay v Taranaki 17's and it was an awesome game, especially since Taranaki were runners up in 2009 and Hawkes Bay had only had one weeks training, both coaches came away with something to think about."

The camp followed a Coaches, Managers and Referees course held in Hawkes Bay on the Saturday and was part of the NZRL's commitment to up-skilling everyone involved with Rugby League in New Zealand.

Dan Floyd, NZRL Football Manager concludes "It was great to get to the Hawkes Bay and work directly with the coaches, managers and referees from that area, this follows on from the community camp held in New Plymouth earlier this year; and we have been able to complete our work in the Mid Central Zone with this Hearts Camp in Manawatu. We really want to try and get out to every district where possible, so that everyone hears from us directly."

The next Hearts Camp is in the Northern Zone at Kaikohe on 8 August, 2010.