QRL launches performance series

Queensland Rugby League is excited to launch a series of presentations from leading professionals to better equip performance staff across the state.

Aligned to the QRL strategy of developing the capability of coaches and support staff in the game, the presentations will cover a range of topics to better improve the physical and mental performance of rugby league athletes aiming to compete at the elite level.

The sessions are primarily designed for staff mentoring teams within statewide competitions, but will be conducted as an open session allowing interested rugby league volunteers, officials and players from across Queensland to tune in.

Senior pathways and performance manager Brett Jones said it was exciting to provide an opportunity for performance staff to learn and improve.

“We are very pleased to launch a regular opportunity for growth-minded rugby league staff to engage in learning and development," Jones said.

"We all compete on the field, but these sessions are a chance for networks to be formed and collectively chase continuous improvement.

“QRL is committed to providing a range of development opportunities and over the past 12 months the ability to use online platforms has become normal to everyone.

"An added bonus is these sessions will be recorded and available to participants through QRL.com.au and the QRL Facebook page to access on demand.”

The first week of sessions kick off today from 12.30pm on QRL.com.au and the QRL Facebook page.

QRL performance series

Monday, February 15 at 12.30pm - Strength and conditioning

John Mitchell (B Ed, MSpSc, PCASM) is a physical performance consultant with Queensland Rugby League. He has been working in elite sport for more than 25 years across a variety of sports up to the highest levels of competition in world championships and Olympic Games including:

• ACT Brumbies - Head of athletic performance
• AIS Rowing and Gymnastics - Senior strength and conditioning coach
• Australian Rugby Sevens - Head of athletic performance
• Australian Rugby Union - National strength and conditioning coordinator
• Canberra Capitals WNBL - Head of strength and conditioning
• ACT Academy of Sport - Strength and conditioning manager
• Canberra Raiders - Strength and conditioning coach

Tuesday, February 16 at 12.30pm - Nutrition

Liam Oliver is an SENr-registered sport and exercise nutritionist (graduate), having completed his undergraduate degree in BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science at Sheffield Hallam University and MSc Sport and Exercise Nutrition at Leeds Beckett University. He is now a PhD in the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) investigating the effects of mental fatigue and nutrition on cognition and exercise performance.

Wednesday, February 17 at 12.30pm - Skill acquisition

Derek Panchuk is a skill acquisition specialist who helps coaches build bridges between the science of learning and the art of coaching so they can discover new ways to develop talent and teams. Derek uses his 17-plus years of experience in academia, as the national lead for skill acquisition at the Australian Institute of Sport, and as an independent consultant to support coaches as they create a reflective, mindful approach to athlete development and learning that’s underpinned by the latest research in skill acquisition. 

Thursday, February 18 at 12.30pm - Injury surveillance

Adam Russell is a titled APA sports and exercise physiotherapist with nearly two decades of experience in elite sport. He has been head physio at both the Gold Coast Titans and Gold Coast Suns as well as working with the Brisbane Lions, Brisbane Roar and Queensland Reds. Adam is now consulting with the QRL to establish the injury surveillance project looking at injury data from both the Intrust Super Cup and BHP Premiership.