Strength and conditioning - jobs for the boys? : Fri Jan 31, 2020 9:42 am  

I was going to raise this in the off season but never got round to it. However after the George Burgess debacle last night I feel it's worth bringing up.

Our current head of strength and conditioning is Paul Johnson. His current (relevant) CV consists of a degree at UCLAN and a couple of years as head of Wigan U19s S & C.

That's it. Let's have a look at Mark Bitcon's CV (prior to joining Wigan so not including his current role at Man City).

Two masters degrees in sports science and directorship
Sports science intern at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sports science consultant at Bolton Wanderers
Senior S & C coach at Wasps Rugby
Head athletic performance co-ordinator at Glasgow Warriors
Head of elite fitness at Scotland Rugby Union
Head of sports science at Gloucester Rugby Union
Not to mention his private PT work with other top level athletes (Jenny Meadows, Martin Murray etc).

Is our current head of S & C really the best quality candidate we can attract to that position and is this representative of a wider jobs for the boys culture? Is it any way important that our employees at a backroom and boardroom level previously played for the club? What difference does it make?

IL has put his hand in his pocket to fund an expensive and talented playing squad but it irritates me to think we might not have the backroom staff to maximise that potential. Particularly because St Helens looked more superior physically to other clubs last year than in any other aspect of the game IMO.

Re: Strength and conditioning - jobs for the boys? : Fri Jan 31, 2020 9:48 am  

Leads you to think the Edwards story may well be true

Re: Strength and conditioning - jobs for the boys? : Fri Jan 31, 2020 9:52 am  

Totally agree!

[Fantastic Mr Catpiss]

Re: Strength and conditioning - jobs for the boys? : Fri Jan 31, 2020 10:37 am  

I would have been surprised if edwards and johnson would have been an effective team, working together, i seem to recall there being a lot of bad blood(sorry) between those 2 following the tragedy in 03 with their brothers.

Re: Strength and conditioning - jobs for the boys? : Fri Jan 31, 2020 10:42 am  

Our conditioning is like putting 2 stroke petrol into a Rolls Royce.

Re: Strength and conditioning - jobs for the boys? : Fri Jan 31, 2020 10:44 am  

Is say it’s an area we really can improve. To come back from pre season in the condition George Burgess has is a disgrace. I think Zak Hardaker, though am absolute quality player and I can’t fault him, would benefit from losing a few kg and improving his speed. If they can’t see that or make that happen they’re in the wrong job.

I think it’s an area where money is being saved but it’s an area which makes the difference between getting to a final and winning one.

Re: Strength and conditioning - jobs for the boys? : Fri Jan 31, 2020 10:44 am  

Fantastic Mr Catpiss wrote:

I would have been surprised if edwards and johnson would have been an effective team, working together, i seem to recall there being a lot of bad blood(sorry) between those 2 following the tragedy in 03 with their brothers.

Really? This is new to me...

Re: Strength and conditioning - jobs for the boys? : Fri Jan 31, 2020 10:57 am  

post wrote:

Is say it’s an area we really can improve. To come back from pre season in the condition George Burgess has is a disgrace. I think Zak Hardaker, though am absolute quality player and I can’t fault him, would benefit from losing a few kg and improving his speed. If they can’t see that or make that happen they’re in the wrong job.

I think it’s an area where money is being saved but it’s an area which makes the difference between getting to a final and winning one.

I think Zak looked in great condition yesterday, lost some weight from last year

Re: Strength and conditioning - jobs for the boys? : Fri Jan 31, 2020 2:53 pm  

Fantastic Mr Catpiss wrote:

I would have been surprised if edwards and johnson would have been an effective team, working together, i seem to recall there being a lot of bad blood(sorry) between those 2 following the tragedy in 03 with their brothers.

Not saying I disbelieve you but could you expand? First I’ve heard of it

[Fantastic Mr Catpiss]

Re: Strength and conditioning - jobs for the boys? : Fri Jan 31, 2020 4:14 pm  

100% Warrior wrote:

Not saying I disbelieve you but could you expand? First I’ve heard of it

I'll drop you pm later, i was in two minds whether to mention this and dont want the thread to get diverted bringing this back up.