SAINTS have set up a new training base underneath the South Stand at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
In a major relocation move, all the gym equipment has been transferred from their normal headquarters at Cowley International College to provide a safe environment for the club's players to return to training in preparation for the resumption of Super League on August 2 when Saints face Catalans Dragons.
Demonstrating the new set-up on Saints TV, the club's head of strength and conditioning Matty Daniels said: "We've moved lock, stock and two shooting barrels down from our normal training base at Cowley.
Matty Daniels
"The thought process is that the stadium lends itself to the systems and protocols that we need to put in place given the Covid-19 restrictions."
Zones have been created for players' individual preparations, two separate gym areas with their own entrances and exits have been established and a large matted space is in place to cater for the players' contact work, which will be vital to prepare the players' bodies for the vigours of rugby league collisions after going four months without contact.
⚠️ In-line with the government guidelines surrounding Covid-19, the Club has re-located its Cowley training base to the @twstadium to ensure we have a larger, spacious and ultimately safer environment for the players to train ahead of the @SuperLeague restart! 😁 pic.twitter.com/XmwcKcIUhF
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) July 13, 2020
"The space allows us to spread the players over a large distance and make sure that everybody is sticking to the social distancing rules," said Daniels.
"It really lends itself to making the training environment a professional one."
Walkways have been designed too so that players can head to handwash areas and toilet facilities.
A maximum of 10 players will be using the various spaces at any one time in line with Government guidelines.
"Also the equipment will be wiped down between each individual player using the equipment," he said.
The players, whose last match was a loss to Castleford Tigers on March 15, were back in training today putting the new arrangements into good use.
Things you love to see 😍
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) July 13, 2020
We are BACK! 👋@superleague pic.twitter.com/TvJVKIo279
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