Super W Trials Help to Form Squad

Mon, Nov 11, 2019, 4:32 AM
Brumbies.rugby
by Brumbies.rugby
Photo: RugbyAU
Photo: RugbyAU

The Brumbies Super W team will enter the third year of the national women’s competition in 2020 hoping to kick on from their excellent 2019 season in which they reached the semi-final play-off for the first time.

Leading the group into the new season, his second in charge of the Brumbies Women’s Super W program, will be Head Coach Adam Butt, who got the chance to run his eye over a selection of trialists at the recent Open Session held at the University of Canberra. 

“The open trials are interesting and, to be honest, pretty crucial to our program at this point in time,” Butt admitted as the hopefuls went through a series of drills and practice matches at the University.

“We probably won’t have such a large open trial again as the program comes of age with all-year training and identification though.

"As a coach it helps me distinguish which players have progressed through the year in terms of their conditioning, strength and game management. 

“We put the players through a conditioning test and various position specific skills drills, which helps to identify skills that the athlete may not get a chance to show in the games.

"It really allows us as coaches to identify the qualities we are looking for.

“I believe it also allows  interstate players to show their intentions to committing to the Brumbies program, as well as showing the surrounding regional areas that there is a pathway available and that they are part of our vision.”

As with any open selection process there are always one or two bolters that sneak through, players which may not have been on the coach’s radar, or who have come across from another code and this season was no different.

“There were a few surprises at the trial and the standard of play has improved greatly from last year’s trials,” Butt said.

“I was hoping we could find athletes that are ready to take the next step and as well as catch talent that might not have been picked up through our extensive pathways programs.”

With the 2020 competition looming large, there’s still plenty of work for Butt and his coaching team to do, but hopes are high that they can at least emulate the 2019 side and make the end of season play-offs, with a potential maiden Grand Final not out of reach, although Butt will concentrate on the basics first.

 “My hopes for the team moving into 2020 is continual improvement in the contact zone, set piece and skills,” Butt commented.

 “I want us to build that winning mindset and resilience that the Brumbies are so famous for. As a team I believe we can reach greater heights in 2020 but it’s going to take a lot of hard work.

“I believe Super W like all rugby in Australia can benefit greatly from improving in base skills and I believe nobody is immune to this, the base skills are the foundation of playing the game the way you want to play it.

 “We like all teams will be looking to enhance our conditioning which will allow us to play a faster game which should return a better product.”

 
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