The NSWRL has taken steps to ensure long-term success for the state after holding a conference for major and pathways competitions, including coaches being exposed to the strategies and philosophies of Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler and his assistant Danny Buderus.
The conference was held over two days at Sydney Olympic Park and saw more than 300 coaches, team managers, trainers and administrators presented with a 100-page booklet titled the ‘Blues Way’ to help spark a holistic approach to coaching at all levels across NSW.
Buderus presented to coaches at the conference on Saturday and said it was important to help players’ development from an early age.
“Our pathways for five years has been going well and we’ve had some good success there but it’s about the development of these players from the start by these guys who see them every day,” Buderus told NSWRL.com.au.
“We can put our different ideas and spin on them from an Origin point of view, and Origin mantra, and then they can go back to their clubs and talk to their clubs about that and that’s how it grows, and that’s how they grow as players.
“We want to know how to help the coaches grow as well, and the coaches can help NSW grow, and vice versa. You need to keep a monitor on the kids and we’re all in it together to make sure the kids get the best outcome and the best development.”
NSWRL Player Development Manager Colin Sanctuary also attended the conference which saw the participants engage in upskilling and training sessions.
He said the NSWRL had spent the past six months developing the ‘Blues Way’ booklet and he was confident it would have a positive impact.
“The Blues way in this booklet form has never ever been done before,” Sanctuary said.
“It captures many assets, technical, tactical, physical, well-being and mental performance. It’s bringing all those together in one booklet which is quite innovative and you work with Freddy (Fittler) and Bedsy (Buderus) to make that happen and it comes to life.
“That’s what this has been about. It’s about introducing the concept, the ideas and saying this is a start point, this is not the definitive answer by any stretch, it’s literally the start point for a discussion and that’s what we want to be – we want to be an engaging, enterprising organisation.”
