March 2007
Well folks its been a couple of months since the last news letter and we have decided to produce a newsletter that covers something from one of us about what’s going in their training, Sports, exercise and lives so you all get to know the trainers a little better as individuals. So from now only one or two people will be writing articles. It also gives most of you an incentive to read it.
This month I’m up first so here we go. As some of you may or may not be aware I play Rugby for Barnes rugby club. Our home grounds are situated in the Barnes Elms sports grounds and we have 6 teams currently representing the club (1st, 2nd, 3rd, two social teams and a women’s team). The club is small but have the potential to grow and have a competitive first team. I have played a mix of 1st and 2nd team with the latter of the two being second equal on the table.
I have played Rugby at a senior level for the last 10 years in New Zealand, Australia, Canada and London and have enjoyed the comradery and friendships that I think that only a game like Rugby can give you. Now in the professional era it is very easy to travel the world playing rugby (especially if you’re from New Zealand). Most clubs are willing to at least organise jobs and accommodation and some will go as far as paying a playing fee.
The training starts normally 2 to 3 months out from the start of the season and a typical season lasts about 3 months all though that does depend on the side of the world your on as the English season is twice as long as the New Zealand season. If you are really serious about your rugby though the off season training is just as important as this is where you make gains in muscle mass, rehab injuries, get faster, stronger, more powerful.
In the next 2 years I will be looking to get into coaching. The first step is to complete my level 1 rugby Coaching cert through the RFU. I am very grateful for what rugby has given me over the years and I will endeavour to give something back through coaching.
Currently my weekly training schedule comprises 2 x Rugby training a week and one times weights a week and then on a week where I am working nights at the studio I endeavour to make at least one practice and do one weights session and another cardio session. So there is a lot of training involved and it takes up a lot of time but it’s a great way to keep fit and the social aspect is fantastic.
As mentioned earlier I have played senior Rugby for the last ten years and have trained the way mentioned above for most of them. Training normally comprises high intensity interval type training on a Tuesday night and set piece and game situation training on a Thursday night with training lasting approximately two hours (depending on how evil the coach is feeling). I can assure all of you that complaining only makes things much worse and an extra two shuttles for complaining when its freezing and wet is like torture so we keep that to a minimum (hint hint).
The season is drawing to a close and I have to say that I am quite looking forward to having my weekends back but I know it will not be to long before it all starts again.Kennedy