Summer starts for Northern Heat squads

The first session of the 2023/24 Northern Heat Development Program was held on Saturday.

THE summer programs for the two Northern Heat Development Squads have begun with a hard working first session.

On Saturday the Boys and Girls squads pushed their endurance levels as they begun the program with a 1km time trial followed by a Yo-Yo test.

The predicted inclement weather at McLean Street Oval in Coffs Harbour managed to stay away which allowed squad members to push themselves to the limit.

The Northern Heat started in 2018 but this off-season is an historic one as for the first time the Heat program features a Girls squad.

The program for players born in 2007 and 2008 from both the AFL North West and AFL North Coast regions has seen the squad members commit to a series of training sessions until March where the focus is on individual development of skills, fitness and footy IQ.

In addition to the squad training sessions, players will also be given individual running and strength and conditioning programs to complete over the Christmas and New Year period.

Brad Greenshields, Community Football and Competition Manager, said that the Northern Heat program continues to build its reputation.

“Once again the Heat program has had a great response from players who have looked forward to being a part of it for a large part of the 2023 season,” Greenshields said.

“Our focus is on preparing players to take the next step within footy, whether that be stepping up an age group, moving into open age footy, or progressing to higher level honours, and we’re already seeing our past Heat squad members making a significant mark on local footy and further afield.”