National camp prepares players for pressure

NATIONAL CAMP PREPARES PLAYERS FOR PRESSURE

After two previous tastes of the National Performance Camp, new NZRL talent development manager Dave McMeeken is looking forward to his bigger role in the 2016 edition, starting Sunday.

The former Canterbury and Upper Central Zone development officer has been on the camp staff over the past two years, and is relishing his chance to lead the programme.

“The camp has always been very professional, and it’s really the first step along the pathway towards an NRL and NZ Kiwis career,” says English-born McMeeken.

“It’s exciting to identify the best 80 players in the country and bring them together to compete against each other. But the welfare messages are also a large part of the campaign, to prepare these boys to go on to bigger and better things.”

The athletes will be tested in the gym, on the playing field and in the classroom, leaving Rotorua with a much better appreciation of the challenges that lie between them and their rugby league dreams.

Most NRL clubs will send scouts to the national 18s and 16s trials on Wednesday, all desperate to sign the next wave of stars to emerge from the NZ age-group ranks.

While no fixtures have yet been scheduled for the respective national teams, selectors will be watching and taking notes.

“This is another opportunity for them to knock on the door, but it’s up to the boys whether they go through it or not,” says McMeeken.

“Talent alone won’t get them there. Only 5% will go on to NRL careers, so they need to understand what it takes to be one of those few.

“It’s a daunting time, but also an exciting time for the boys. There’s a lot of pressure, but it’s our job to teach them how to handle that pressure.”

Players will hear from NZ Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney on what he expects from international players, NZRL wellbeing and education manager Joe Harawira will present on “state of mind” and drug testing, while careers advisors will encourage them to think about their options outside of rugby league.

“Having worked with a good proportion of the boys through academies and been on the selection panel for this camp, it will be interesting to see how they have progressed since we last saw them,” says McMeeken.

ENDS

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