BATLEY hope gym'll fix it in their preparations for the new season, writes Trevor Watson.
In recent years the Bulldogs have had to pay for the hire of a gym for players to work on weights and the cost each year has been more than £2,000.
The club had a small gym, which was useful in the season when not all the players were using it, bu
t pre-season all squad members are involved.
The system operated by coach Karl Harrison is that half the squad work on weights and the other half are outside on the all-weather pitch developing skills and moves.
The Bulldogs came to an arrangement with local amateurs Batley Boys in which the Boys used the Bulldogs’ bar and facilities for home games while their clubhouse has been turned into a gym which both sets of players can use.
The Bulldogs have spent several thousand pounds and loyal supporter Gwen Whiteley has handed over the proceeds from her boardroom raffle to help buy such as rowers, weights and other equipment. Staff have painted the gym and it is proving ideal.
Bulldogs’ chairman Kevin Nicholas remarked: “It’s a very good facility and it is paying it’s way.”
Coach Harrison added: “It’s fantastic we have this facility and it is just what we require. The training is sharp and intense, we have heavy and power weights and to have the gym so handy is ideal. It’s good the club have accepted the need to provide these facilities because they are such an important part of the preparation for players these days.”
