North West talent in Heat program
A GROUP of five AFL North West players have been working hard on their footy in the off season as part of the Northern Heat Development Program.
Local players who enjoyed the Heat’s second session on Saturday at the University of New England in Armidale wer:
- Macey Carlyon (Gunnedah);
- Jayda de Groot (Tamworth Swans);
- Zach Johnson (Inverell), and;
- Hayden Peters (Inverell).
A third Inverell player, Billy Thom is also part of the Heat program but he was absent on Saturday due to being overseas on a tour of Ireland playing International Rules with Wanderers Australia.
Another local connection to the program is New England Nomads Juniors president Matt Pine.
Pine was busy at Sport UNE as he laid out the strength and running programs the Heat members are expected to complete away from training during the school holiday period.
During the first session last month the Heat members completed a 1km time trial and a Yo-Yo test.
Their results were recorded. The group will perform the same tests on February 1 when they regather for the first time since Christmas in Coffs Harbour to see how much their fitness has improved over the summer.
