Strength & Conditioning FAQs
Do you offer work experience placements?
The S&C department only offers placements to 3rd year university students. Places are limited throughout the year. Prospective applicants will have to demonstrate relevant knowledge via their university course structure and be interviewed by S&C staff.
How does someone become a S&C coach at the Emirates Western Force?
All our S&C coaches have postgraduate university qualifications in Sport Science or Human Movement. Further, they have all gained experience at various levels of elite sport (not just in rugby) before joining the Emirates Western Force.
What is the S&C training philosophy?
All players undergo extensive medical, physiotherapy and S&C screening to identify underlying physical limitations. Specific programs are tailored for each player, designed by the physiotherapist and S&C coaches, to overcome any screening limitations. Common issues include tightness of muscles such as the hamstring or weakness of abdominal muscles. The emphasis of early training includes core strength (abdominals, lower back and hip musculature) and muscle balance in terms of strength and flexibility. Progressions are made technical through to performance in all areas of speed, endurance, strength and power. Players must learn to run or lift with the correct technique before they are loaded to the level required by a Super 14 player.
What is a typical game day?
Players will have their final run through preparation before a final meal, roughly 3 hours before the match. The contents of the final meal have been prescribed by the nutritionist and comprise salad rolls, pasta, rice, bread and pancakes. This is followed by stretching, strapping and physiotherapy. The players arrive at the ground one hour prior to the match and warm-up starts approximately 40 minutes before kick-off.
After the game, physiotherapy treatment is made available to injured players and all undergo supervised recovery which includes contrast hydrotherapy and stretching. Bodyweights are checked before and after the match to assist with hydration status.
A typical training day?
Whilst there is a typical structure, the content of each day can vary from the next. Training content will also change depending on the phase of the year: pre-season, in-season or post-season. Generally there will be a skill session each day. The coaches decide if it is attacking or defence orientated. There is usually a running session which is either speed or endurance directed. Running usually coincides with the training session (before or after the skill component), and there is always weights in the afternoon. Wednesday is a career and education day for the players and there is no training, but there is physiotherapy treatment.
