Last weeks grade seven development squad day was a great success with over forty boys attending the day long session. With skills coaching, program information, and a chance for prospective students to become familiar with the Keebra staff and environment it was always going to be a popular day and organiser Kurt Richards was pleased with the turnout. “Its great to see so many interested people here and getting involved with the day” he said. “Its also a good thing for the parents to see what we do as a school and who will be teaching and coaching their children. We draw students from a diverse range of primary schools and these development squad days are one way we can introduce next years players to each other so that they will find the transition into high school a little bit smoother” he added.

The day began with fitness testing and moved through skills coaching and ended with an “Oz Tag” competition after a barbecue lunch. This diversity of tasks allowed each boys to show both their capabilities and areas where there was room for improvement in their game. “We give each student a folder with his test results in so that we can monitor and update his progress through from grade eight to grade twelve and with this as a diagnostic tool we can modify any training programs” said strength and conditioning coach Brad Hughes. “It lets the boys see improvements in a written form and as such, often motivates them to keep making gains in their individual games” he added.

The development squad will meet again throughout the year so that the boys can continue to get to know both their peers and the environment and if public perception is an indicator of success then it is sure to be another great day. As one parent commented,