Videos help put players in a strong fitness frame of mind

NRL NT pathways manager Duncan MacGillivray has been working with the NTIS in developing videos during the COVID-19 pandemic to promote fitness in this time of uncertainty.

These videos – called Fastracker – focus on a range of exercises from stretching to speed work, to encourage Territory athletes to stay active, even though they cannot currently train as a group.

The videos posted through April can be found on the NRL NT Facebook page.

“With everything in hiatus we got together with the NTIS to post these Fastracker videos, which focus on a full range of exercises,” MacGillivray told the Sunday Territorian.

“We go through a full range of stretches and then look at speed work and running technique.

“I’ve been working both at my own home gym and with the NTIS and I hope we can get some videos back from our athletes.”

MacGillivray is also planning a group of community camps in Katherine, an initiative he had already booked prior to the coronavirus lockdown.

“We’re also planning for a community camp to take place in Katherine, with our rugby league stakeholders there keen to help out,” he said.

“We’re hoping to get some guest presenters there for the camp as well.

“And hopefully do the same in Gove and Groote Island when we get the chance.”

The coronavirus crisis also means that any planned NT representative fixture or interstate scholarship is unlikely to go ahead this year.

Nightcliff Dragons success story Bon McGregor is one junior player who has benefited immensely from his scholarship with Kirwan State High School, where he was part of the successful 2019 NRL Schoolboys Cup- winning side.

“I can’t see any rep teams going ahead this year considering everything else that would be on the NRL priorities,” MacGillivray said.

“But I can’t tell you how happy I am for Bon.

“He’s a fantastic kid and a true success story of a kid who came out and broke the mould. He’s miles different from the kid who went down there and to see where he is now is phenomenal.

“The support from his family was particularly amazing.”