Rugby League School

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28542, 22 March 1958, Page 5

Rugby League School

Although it is too early yet to i make an assessment of the success of the national Rugby League training school, which will end at Rangiora today, the immediate progress shown by the players under the coaching of the former Wigan player, Mr Brian Nordgren, must be sufficiently ‘encouraging for the New Zealand Rugby League Council to give serious consideration to repeating the scheme in future seasons.

Short though the course wadplayers from each island were taken in separate groups for only a week—some showed remarkable improvement in that time.

Fundamentals .

Fundamentals-end the correct mental approach to .the game were emphasised throughout the coursfe, which gave the players little free' time. Variation in play was also emphasised. Lectures were-given in the evenings on a need to attain physical fitness to enjoy the game fully, aspects associated with tours, preparations for tours, and concentration during a game. Films of important matches were analysed. AS the school was the first of its type held in New Zealand, the organiser (Mr T. McKenzie) and Mr Nordgren were careful to note any ways in which this and future courses could be improved. As part of this, the North Island players were' issued with exercise books at the end of tneir section. of the course last week to note down their opinion of

the school and any suggestions for malting improvements. Some of the suggestions were Incorporated in the second section of the course for the South Island players. As a result of this, arrangements were made with the Canterbury Rugby League Council for those in the school to play against a team in Christchurch at the end of the South Island course. This will give the coach an opportunity to form an opinion of the players’ ability to absorb the training and put it into operation under match conditions.

Standards

Although, for the purpose of coaching, it may have been better to choose a full team with an additional back and forward, this may have meant including some players who were not up to standard. Every effort was made to include those who were most likely to benefit, with the result that in the North Island squad there were nine backs and six forwards, and in the South Island group there were 10 forwardsand five backs. The course showed that . for future schools the appointment of an assistant coach may need consideration for there were times when some players were idle while the others were receiving detailed instruction.