University helps Robins get off to flying start

9 November 2011

Hull Kingston Rovers players were put through their paces with a programme of fitness testing at the University of Hull this week.

The rugby league team, known as ‘The Robins’, have a close partnership with the University, with sports science experts helping to analyse and support training, provide rehabilitation and enhance the team’s psychological approach to the game.

The players took part in a punishing regime of assessments to test their speed, agility and body fat composition.

Whilst this kind of testing is more often seen in football, rugby league teams have also begun to see the benefit of incorporating it in their pre-season preparations. The data is measured throughout the season and forms part of a comprehensive sports science programme covering everything from psychological assessments through to measuring and monitoring training workloads.

University of Hull psychologist Dr Keith Earle is coordinating the partnership with The Robins. He said: “The continuing partnership between Rovers and the Department of Sport, Health and Exercise Science is providing the club with cutting edge sport science support that will greatly benefit both the physical and psychological preparation of the entire squad.

“The partnership also offers many of our students the opportunity to work with elite level athletes.”

Students go on placements with the club on match days and during training, assisting with sports rehabilitation and video analysis. They use cutting-edge technology to track players around the pitch and feed information back to the coaching staff while games are actually being played.

Undergraduates also enjoy long-term placements with the club as part of their sports rehabilitation teaching, helping first-team players return from injury, or giving massage support during games and training sessions to keep players fit and ready.

Hull Kingston Rovers player Ben Galea was among those to undergo testing at the University, he said: “It was a really good way to start the pre-season. It is going to be a tough one for us but that’s what we need and everyone is ready for it."

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