NORTH Ballarat Rebels coach Gerard FitzGerald wants to see young footballers from the club’s Warrnambool base grow and learn from their pre-season with the club.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Rebels hopefuls were put through their paces at the newly-opened Emmanuel Centre on Monday afternoon as they strive for a spot on the TAC Cup club’s list for 2017.
In a scenario mimicking elements of the AFL Draft combine, they were measured for height and weight and went through speed, agility and beep tests.
“The important thing from the testing is it provides them with solid feedback that they can then set their goals and learn,” FitzGerald said.
“It gives them a base from which they then can develop over the pre-season. They’ll walk out of tonight with some really solid knowledge.”
They'll walk out of tonight with some really solid knowledge.
- Gerard FitzGerald
Each of the five Rebels base squads go through identical testing, with Hamilton the final base to undergo it on Tuesday. The base coaches will continue to work with the groups, with FitzGerald set to make a return visit before Christmas to assess the players’ skills.
“All of the boys who go through the program, regardless of where they end up, we’re convinced they will (grow) in terms of their skills and their development,” he said.
Susie Giese
Susie Giese is a sports reporter at The Standard in Warrnambool
Susie Giese is a sports reporter at The Standard in Warrnambool
