Central North Zone Academy Coach Jeff Cook outlined his recipe for success to the zone’s under 14, under 16 and under 18 sides ahead of their upcoming campaigns in Tamworth on Sunday.
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It’s the first time the zone has brought the all rep sides together on one day, and saw the players presented with their baggy reds from long-time zone mentor John Kilborn. Among them were Armidale’s Jackson Gwynne (under 18s), Nick Page and Henry Sindel (under 16s) and Sam Johnson and Ryan Simpson (under 14s).
Cook then addressed the players, and parents, and laid out what is expected of them, before they split into their respective teams for a couple of hours of training.
The former first-class cricketer and recently-announced NSW Country coach is in his first summer in the role after taking over from Rod Bryant.
Also the current National Indigenous XI coach, Cook’s coaching philosophy is strong on the players driving their performance and preparation, and he told the players they will be trained like they are the age above.
From what he has seen so far he is happy with how the sides are shaping up.
One thing he did emphasise was starting their carnivals well. Last season the colts and under 16s both lost their opening games, while the under 14s tied theirs.
Cook attributed that to preparation and put the onus on the players to do their own training over the Christmas period.
“You lose day one you’re pretty much out of the carnival. We want to hit the ground running from day one,” he said.