Team Learns to Row as part of Pre-Season

Pre-season is as much about training as it is building connections. Sure, the boys are in the gym and on the grass running drills, but a fair few sessions are outside the norm.

Take a walk along the Avon River at Kerr’s Reach this week and next, and chances are you’ll see the full Crusaders squad lined up on the water learning to row eights.

The team has partnered with the Avon Rowing Club, teaching the boys to work together to get the massive boats up and down the river. It’s all gearing up towards a racing regatta before the team breaks for the holidays.

“Rowing has great synergies with our game and it’s a great way to challenge the boys and get them working together in different units,” said Rob Penney, Crusaders head coach.

“It’s about teamwork and not necessarily about power. There’s a lot of intellect that goes with it.”

A lot of pre-work was done to get the boats balanced weight-wise, with a mix of forwards and backs in each boat.

Gareth Duder, Crusaders Head of Performance, said the idea was to “bring the guys together and cement them in as one team”.

“That’s the main part of it really, is getting them out and doing something that’s a little bit uncomfortable and trying to grow them that way.”