High-altitude camp part of search for best science
Jon Ralph | August 21, 2008
THE Western Bulldogs are set to demonstrate their growing stature in the football world with a high-altitude training camp in Arizona.
The 10-day tour to Tempe, Arizona, will take place on the grounds of Arizona State University's athletics grounds, a world-class training centre.
The Bulldogs will train, exchange information with the NFL's Arizona Cardinals and visit the Grand Canyon as part of their altitude program.
But the late October trip depends on the club selling out Saturday night's "Bulldogs Got Talent" show, a key plank of its fundraising efforts for the program.
The players have been holding fundraisers for such an experience for several seasons.
Every player will pay at least $1000 for the camp.
The Dogs hope a successful fundraiser at the Williamstown Hall event on Saturday will guarantee the camp's success.
The club still has several hundred tickets to sell for the all-inclusive dinner and talent show.
The Dogs would join Collingwood, St Kilda, and Carlton as clubs conducting overseas camps, although only the Pies have used Arizona as a base.
Collingwood has gone as far as installing an altitude room at Lexus Centre, so highly does it rate the effects and benefits of the technique.
Bulldogs football manager James Fantasia said yesterday the club was determined to do everything possible to set an elite training platform for its players.
"This year we went to Wilsons Promontory and it was a great camp and it reflected in the way the boys started the year," Fantasia said.
"This is an opportunity to duplicate part of that, but do it at the Grand Canyon.
"This is an elite AIS-type establishment, and our club has never had an opportunity like this."
The Bulldogs management and playing list are set to conduct an information exchange with the Cardinals, with the players also attending an Arizona State versus UCLA football game.
"We have got 24 players in our squad signed up to 2011 and we are well placed and showing good signs with them," Fantasia said.
"It is the opportune time to invest in them.
"The players decided they would do this and take some responsibility for it, and are prepared to pay.
"There is a guaranteed contribution fund, and they are hoping to raise the final funds this weekend."
The Bulldogs are also working hard on building cutting-edge partnerships in local and international sports science.
Part of a five-year plan involves relocating up to 200 sports science students and professors from the Victorian University to their Elite Learning Centre at Whitten Oval.
Those students would work on sporting projects as well as advance the club's sports science base.
Leading international sports scientists could also be lured to the club on 12-month secondments that would help both the club and individuals.
THE "Bulldogs Got Talent" show at Williamstown Hall, Williamstown, will involve players in skits involving ballet, dancing and comedy.
Prizes for an auction include a plane ride with Jason Akermanis.
For tickets, phone 1300 GO DOGS (463 647).
Cost: $99 Western Bulldogs member / $120 non member.
Bulldogs Got Talent
Jon Ralph | August 21, 2008
THE Western Bulldogs are set to demonstrate their growing stature in the football world with a high-altitude training camp in Arizona.
The 10-day tour to Tempe, Arizona, will take place on the grounds of Arizona State University's athletics grounds, a world-class training centre.
The Bulldogs will train, exchange information with the NFL's Arizona Cardinals and visit the Grand Canyon as part of their altitude program.
But the late October trip depends on the club selling out Saturday night's "Bulldogs Got Talent" show, a key plank of its fundraising efforts for the program.
The players have been holding fundraisers for such an experience for several seasons.
Every player will pay at least $1000 for the camp.
The Dogs hope a successful fundraiser at the Williamstown Hall event on Saturday will guarantee the camp's success.
The club still has several hundred tickets to sell for the all-inclusive dinner and talent show.
The Dogs would join Collingwood, St Kilda, and Carlton as clubs conducting overseas camps, although only the Pies have used Arizona as a base.
Collingwood has gone as far as installing an altitude room at Lexus Centre, so highly does it rate the effects and benefits of the technique.
Bulldogs football manager James Fantasia said yesterday the club was determined to do everything possible to set an elite training platform for its players.
"This year we went to Wilsons Promontory and it was a great camp and it reflected in the way the boys started the year," Fantasia said.
"This is an opportunity to duplicate part of that, but do it at the Grand Canyon.
"This is an elite AIS-type establishment, and our club has never had an opportunity like this."
The Bulldogs management and playing list are set to conduct an information exchange with the Cardinals, with the players also attending an Arizona State versus UCLA football game.
"We have got 24 players in our squad signed up to 2011 and we are well placed and showing good signs with them," Fantasia said.
"It is the opportune time to invest in them.
"The players decided they would do this and take some responsibility for it, and are prepared to pay.
"There is a guaranteed contribution fund, and they are hoping to raise the final funds this weekend."
The Bulldogs are also working hard on building cutting-edge partnerships in local and international sports science.
Part of a five-year plan involves relocating up to 200 sports science students and professors from the Victorian University to their Elite Learning Centre at Whitten Oval.
Those students would work on sporting projects as well as advance the club's sports science base.
Leading international sports scientists could also be lured to the club on 12-month secondments that would help both the club and individuals.
THE "Bulldogs Got Talent" show at Williamstown Hall, Williamstown, will involve players in skits involving ballet, dancing and comedy.
Prizes for an auction include a plane ride with Jason Akermanis.
For tickets, phone 1300 GO DOGS (463 647).
Cost: $99 Western Bulldogs member / $120 non member.
Bulldogs Got Talent
