The Newcastle Knights NYC squad has returned from their challenging pre-season camp inspired and motivated for the 2015 season.
Knights NYC coach, Troy Pezet said the aim of the camp was to push the players out of their comfort zone to unearth teamwork and leadership skills in the squad.
“It was wonderful, but probably really uncomfortable for the boys, but as far as team building goes, getting uncomfortable was a god way to finish off our pre-season,” Pezet explained.
“We were lucky enough to have some outside help from people from the professional police services.
“They came in and the camp was mostly built around team building, goal setting and helping your mates out when times get tough.
"Going forward we'll be able to relate that to out footy games this season.”
The players were put through a number of realistic emergency scenarios and were required to use teamwork and problem solving skills to reach common goals under pressure.
"It was a good idea for us to work out who the leaders were, and who wasn't comfortable with that position as well and who was going to work really well when it got tough and who was going to need a bit more help and leadership,” he said.
Pezet praised senior members of the U20s squad like Luke Yates, Nathan Lo Monaco, Bradie Smith and Bryce Donovan and Danny Levi who showed outstanding leadership skills.
Nathan Lo Monaco attended last year's NYC camp at Holsworthy Army Barracks and said the experience helped him to cope with the challenges of this week's camp and to support his teammates.
"A lot of the boys really did step up in the last couple of days," Lo Monaco said.
“They showed great teamwork, and that was what the camp was designed for.”
After a solid pre-season and being tested at the training camp, the team now breaks for Christmas.
“We put down some really good foundations and finish this morning with some goal setting and things we want to take forward leading into the trials,” Pezet said.
“I think we are in a really good shape physically and the boys have done a fantastic job.
“Leading into the trials I'm quiet confident that we're going to be okay.”
