2021 Rugby Program Insight
Although the Sydney Rugby Premiership only finished October 31 in 2020 – a mountain of work has been completed to strategically evolve the SDR Program for the Players and drive performance in 2021. The improved Rugby Program is based on an extensive 2020 review completed by players, coaches and members as well as best practice from around the world.
The expansion of the Rugby Program in 2021 has not been through simply throwing money at resources, but rather through the hard work of our members, coaches, supporters and volunteers.
Some of the 2021 Rugby Program elements are second to none in the competition. In this sense SDR is ‘The little Club that could’ - compared to some of our more fancied and resourced rivals.
Rather than detail all of the Rugby Program - here are just a few of the new and improved elements for 2021.
1. The SDR Coaching team is the largest ever assembled at the Club, aimed at addressing identified on-field deficiencies from our 2020 review.
- We have specifically appointed a Lineout and Scrum specialist to free up our Forward Coaches to coach forward and team play. This is also the case for Tackling and Support Play.
- We appointed a Leadership and Game Management coach and have designed a specialised program for our players to partake in, founded and resourced with the latest leadership skills, management techniques and resources.
- We have appointed a Skills Program Coach to design and implement the lofty ambition of creating the best Rugby Skills Program in Australia within time.
- We have a number of great team managers and have supplemented our many volunteers with Game Day Performance Managers that assist in making the team’s run logistically and tactically within our program.
2. Our Player Welfare Program - has been enhanced substantially. As Head Coach and a qualified Teacher, I am particularly proud of this program and the level of care we have for our players as a Club and will always look to improve this part of our program. A great example of the community we have caring, contributing, mentoring and resourcing our programs is Joel Curtis of Endeavour Wellness.
3. The Medical program has been improved by Mark Edgar with the appointment of a Sports Doctor – extra clinics, extra physio coverage and new roles on game day and an association with the Sports Medicine Institute in Miranda.
4. Our sports science program has been enhanced ensuring that our training is rugby specific and performance driven. This program is driven by Jarryd Knapp one of the best up and coming and practical Strength and Conditioning coaches in the business.
On and off the field our Rugby Program - is driven by dedication, acumen and a lot of hard work.
The players will head into one of the most intense and physically demanding 9- week pre-seasons they will ever experience. It is not all blood sweat and tears though, with a lot of cultural club events planned and some special coaching guests outside of Rugby making special contributions.
You are more than welcome to come down and have a look at training or better yet get involved in some capacity with a Club that is building something special and a good season to look forward to in 2021.
Todd Louden
Head of Rugby