Roughyeds climb to new heights

OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE: Jamie I’Anson takes on a rope ladder

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THE INTREPID Oldham squad reached for the skies during a session at an indoor training centre in Trafford Park.

In the midst of a three-week period without a game, coach Tony Benson decided to focus minds on an altogether different set of tasks.

The Roughyeds players, followed by club photographer Dave Murgatroyd and a camera crew, were forced to draw on every reserve of mental strength in order to pull through a set of challenges 35 feet above ground level.

“It was scary, but brilliant,” said Benson. “It exceeded expectations. I wish we could go down there every week.

“It was as tough as anything we do on the field and it was great for improving team work and communication.

“The squad was split into four teams to take on various physical challenges, and the centre's specialist trainers said we were one of the best groups they had ever had.”

Some of the players had to beat a fear of heights in order to complete the course at Challenge4Change, the only training centre of its kind in the North of England, offering a 13-station aerial runway, a high ropes training course and a low level obstacle run.

In charge of the session was one of the centre's trainers, former Salford rugby league player Chris Whiteley, assisted by ex-Wigan winger or centre Denis Ramsdale and Steven Hurst.

Equipped with helmets and safety harnesses, the restive Roughyeds had to perform disciplines on a two-feet wide platform 35 feet high and then take part in the “leap of faith” in which they jumped on to a trapeze from a small platform.

Prop forward Luke Menzies was heard to comment: “If man was intended to go so high he would have wings. It was different all right.”