Heat preparing for the big games
The boys of the Northern Heat Development Program sweat it out while completing the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test.
Members of the Northern Heat Development Program braved humid conditions during their first session of 2025.
The talented boys and girls from both the AFL North Coast and AFL North West in the Under 17 age group repeated a 1km time trial and a Yo-Yo intermittent test.
The juniors performed the tests a first time back in November when the program started. In December the group were handed a fitness program to complete during the school holidays by the program’s Strength & Conditioning coach Matt Pine.
Today saw the group toe the line again and pleasingly, many of the youngsters recorded improved results compared to what they achieved back in November.
Once the tests were finished, the hard work continued as the groups moved into match simulation drills now that an end of program match is within view.
The off field work will soon end as it’s now only five weeks until the Heat boys and girls get to test their fitness and skills on the field when they play matches against the Southport Sharks.
The Sharks are once again looming as fantastic hosts with the matches about to be played on Southport’s immaculate main oval which the club uses when its VFL team plays at home.
After the matches, the boys and girls along with family members will then head down the road to People First Stadium where they will take advantage of the opportunity to watch an AFL match as the Gold Coast Suns play their Opening Round match against Essendon.
Northern Heat head coach Luke Matthews outlines some match strategies to the girls in the Development Program.
Mitch White attracts the attention of a pair of ‘opponents’ during a match simulation drill in a Northern Heat Development Program session.
