Sacrifices necessary to achieve top goals

NOW that the season has started, the weekly plan for the CQUniversity Taipans revolves around recovering from the weekend game, to preparing for the next game.

The volume of training is lower, so that the players are fresh and ready as they can be for the upcoming game.

We have a planned weekly training load, which includes game time, that we expect players to reach. If players do not get enough game time, they will make that time up the following day.

Then we have our development players. These players are at every weight session, every training and shooting session with the full time players. They then have to fit work in so they can pay the bills.

When the team travels away or they have a game in Cairns, these players will be in the gym at 630am, followed by a conditioning session, which will incorporate skills and team training.

Most of the development players hope to come into the weight room and spend 40 minutes working on their arms in preparation of wearing an orange singlet on game night in front of the Cairns crowd. Unfortunately for them this does not happen.

The majority of their sessions incorporate strength and power work, as well as footwork, speed and torturous conditioning sessions.

After completing these sessions they are welcome to grab the weights and work on their guns. While the team is away they will find themselves in training session on a Saturday morning, when most people their age are sleeping after a night out at Gilligans. This is the sacrifice they make in the hope that their dream of a professional contract comes true.

MOST OF THE DEVELOPMENT PLAYERS HOPE TO COME INTO THE WEIGHT ROOM AND SPEND 40 MINUTES WORKING ON ARMS IN PREPARATION OF WEARING ORANGE SINGLET