The Dyldam Parramatta Eels have hosted four rugby league coaches from the Northern Territory Rugby League this week, as part of our exciting partnership to grow the game in the Top End.
The coaches- three from Darwin and one from Alice Springs - spent some time watching the Blue and Gold boys train and learning from our development staff across the board.
“We’re very appreciative of what Parramatta’s done for us, bringing us down from the Northern Territory to see what it’s like for a general day at the Eels,” coach Aaron Blacker said.
“With everything the whole team’s provided for us, and what the Eels have done for us this week, it’s fantastic, and I can’t wait to see the Eels in Alice in two weeks and in Darwin in a few months.”
The Parramatta Eels play their first trial game of the season in Alice Springs on February 8 against the Wests Tigers - and Blacker says watching Brad with the boys has been a special experience.
“It’s fantastic - they obviously have a great load of respect for Brad, he makes a call and they listen to him no matter what it is, without any questions, and they execute it very, very well,” he said.
“The biggest eye opener is that it’s all about the basics, and they’re executed so well and so fast.”
“What we’re doing back in the Northern Territory is a long way off the pace, but essentially it’s the same types of drills in what were doing in Under 16s to Under 18s all the way through to lower grades.”
Undoubtedly these coaches are looking forward to benefiting from the Eels’ presence in the Territory over the next four years, with a big focus on turning the talented athletes in the region into NRL-calibre players.
“In Northern Territory there’s a big focus on rugby league at the grassroots level, but we haven’t been providing the families and kids with the opportunities to take the next step,” Blacker said.
“So we’ve had NRL teams and clubs come before but the four year deal we have with the Eels and the couple of presences there every year, Parramatta’s going to have a great influence on rugby league in the Territory.”
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