Leeds Rhinos’ Jason Davidson on how the players are ‘training from home’

“They’re getting them in with them; Richie Myler has started doing press-ups with his kids on him – you just have to find the time.”
Man with a plan: Leeds Rhinos' director of athletic performance Jason Davidson is keeping an eye on the players as they train from home.Man with a plan: Leeds Rhinos' director of athletic performance Jason Davidson is keeping an eye on the players as they train from home.
Man with a plan: Leeds Rhinos' director of athletic performance Jason Davidson is keeping an eye on the players as they train from home.

Leeds Rhinos head of athletic performance Jason Davidson is responding to a question about whether – with the club’s training ground shut down due to Covid – any players have used home schooling as an excuse for being unable to keep up to speed with their individual programmes.

Richard Agar’s squad has seen their pre-season preparations affected following the outbreak which saw their Kirkstall base closed initially for five days but currently stretched to at least 10. For Davidson, at Rhinos since 2005 and in charge of conditioning for all but one of their eight Grand Final wins, it must be slightly irritating.

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However, he told The Yorkshire Post: “I think every club in Super League and every sports club will have this issue.

“It’s better to have it now than nearer the start of the season (March 25). Everything we’ve put together over the last 10 days you can pretty much do on your own.

“It’s when you get closer to the game and the coaches get a bit twitchy and want to do some game planning, that’s when clubs might struggle a bit.

“The players have all got GPS, monitors and know what we should be doing on each day in training. They have to do it on their own – they can’t meet up this time – and tag in every day and make sure they’re well on their tick sheets. And the players have to do it. They know themselves if they don’t they’re going to be behind and if they’re behind when they come back in next week then they will lose days off. It’s simple enough.”

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Davidson, of course, is back at the helm of Rhinos’ performance department this season.

Closed: Leeds Rhinos head coach Richard Agar has seen training curtailed and training the training ground closed as they try to combat Covid. Picture: Phil Daly/Leeds Rhinos.Closed: Leeds Rhinos head coach Richard Agar has seen training curtailed and training the training ground closed as they try to combat Covid. Picture: Phil Daly/Leeds Rhinos.
Closed: Leeds Rhinos head coach Richard Agar has seen training curtailed and training the training ground closed as they try to combat Covid. Picture: Phil Daly/Leeds Rhinos.

He had been switched to team manager when Dave Furner took over for his short, ill-fated spell as head coach ahead of 2019.

The 47-year-old, who played for hometown Sheffield Eagles and started life as a conditioner under Tony Smith at Huddersfield Giants, conceded it was “very hard” at times taking a back seat from his usual duties.

He had excelled in his field, not only at club level but rising to be head conditioner of the England team for Smith in 2008.

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“It came probably at the right time,” explained Davidson, who was replaced by Chris Black who, in turn, has now left the club to set up his own business.

“I’d just had a hip replacement so when Dave (Furner) came in and wanted to bring his own people in, I think it was the right time for me to step back a little.

“I could see the other side of things, working closely with (director of rugby) Kevin (Sinfield) and (CEO) Gary (Hetherington).

“I’ve always had a hand in that anyway; I’ve always been team manager, sorting stuff out.

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“I enjoyed it for two years. I learned lots of things. In this role, I’ll still be doing some of those things, I’m sure, because money is tight so everyone is pitching in.

“But sometimes it was very hard. I won’t lie to you. It was hard just sitting there knowing I could help when they were struggling. But it was a new regime and they had to learn by their mistakes.

“When Rich (Agar) came in I wasn’t doing it (conditioing) as such but I had an input with Chris Black and the others.

“I think Rich was pretty keen on bringing me in with the experience I’ve got. I’ve been dipping my toe in for the last six months really. I’m ready to be back on the pitch – and I’m excited for it again.”

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