The inaugural Melbourne Rebels U18 Youth Girls Academy recently wrapped up for the 10 selected athletes involved in the program.
The 10 week program focused on the player's physical development with the aim of preparing them for the 2019 Lindroth Cup season and U18 Schoolgirls tournament. The end goal of the program is to set the players up to transition into the Melbourne Rebels Super W squad over the course of the next few years.
The program involved 2-3 sessions a week with each session targeting different aspects of physical performance, including running technique, mobility and resistance training which are key performance aspects required to build the future rugby player.
Melbourne Rebels Academy Head of Athletic Performance Brendan Whelan believes there has been significant improvement in the girls physical performance after the completion of the 10 week program.
“There has been a distinct difference in the girls movement ability and self-awareness since taking part in the inaugural Academy,” Whelan said.
“Having been exposed to performance training that they would not necessarily have been exposed to before, it puts the players in a better physical standing leading into pre-season for the 2020 Super W Competition.”
An integral part of the inaugural Academy was the partnership with ACE (Athletic Centre of Excellence) Performance.
ACE Performance are high performance specialists that operate out of world-class facilities.
ACE Performance specialist Karl Buchhorn said: “In 10 weeks we saw massive improvements in strength and power, speed and agility and their confidence in themselves as well.”
“Some of the group had limited experience in the gym before coming to us however we were able to develop skills that will really benefit them moving forward in the future.
“The opportunity to work with and mould the youth academy girls through a strength and conditioning program was I hope just the foundation for a long relationship with Rugby Victoria.”
Rugby Victoria look forward to continuing to work with ACE Performance to develop our stars of the future.
Rugby Victoria would like to extend a big thank you to the CFA whose partnership made this program possible.
Find out more about ACE Performance.
2019 Melbourne Rebels U18 Youth Girls Academy
Allyssa Lolesio-Pua (NA)
Hope Faoagali-Kareta (Moorabbin, Fountain Gate)
Kristina Sa'aga (Northern, St Monica's College)
Liutasi Samau (Northern, Epping Secondary College)
Sarah Epa (Western Districts/Brimbank, Victoria University Secondary College)
Sefrina Sa'aga (Northern, Thornbury Hugh School)
Sheniqua Taula (Casey, Victoria University Secondary College)
Jess Campbell (Northern, Monash University)
Rebecca Dominic (Western Districts/Brimbank, Victoria University Secondary College)
Rosalia Leumuava (Northern, Melton Secondary College)
