ONLY a few years ago, the prospect of 55 members of the Parramatta Eels playing and coaching staff, head management and board members travelling 18 hours on a plane together would’ve evoked memories of a chaotic scene from Flying High.
How times have changed at the once dysfunctional Eels.
Just after lunch time on Monday, the huge contingent of Eels will commence a trip to the US, to the home of the current Super Bowl Champions, Seattle Seahawks.
Will Hopoate of the Parramatta Eels with his kit for the upcoming pre season trip to Seattle at Pirtek Stadium. pic mark Evans
The pre-season training and study trip will see Parramatta players spend eight days in Seattle training, visiting the Seahawks’ NFL facilities and the University of Washington and their successful football side, the Huskies.
The trip is worth close to $250,000 — which Parramatta chief executive Scott Seward believes will be worth every cent.
In an effort to learn more about building their brand, improving their communication lines with fans and members and also the game-day experience, Eels management will also visit Seattle’s Major League Baseball team, the Mariners, and the Major League Soccer team, the Sounders.
They also plan to take a tour of the head offices of billion-dollar companies Microsoft, Amazon and Boeing.
Watmough thrilled to be working with Arthur again
“Not only is this trip a great opportunity to see how these elite clubs train and operate, it will also be a great way for our players to bond before coming home and continuing their pre-season training,” Seward said.
“We’re looking forward to experiencing the club culture at the Seahawks, Huskies, Sounders and Mariners and we hope to be able to bring plenty of learnings back home with us.”
The trip is a stunning raising of the bar by the Eels, with past pre-season bonding sessions spent in Kiama or Terrigal by rival NRL teams a long way from the unique experience and build-up to next year that the Parramatta players will experience.
The Eels have also packed with them 125kg worth of merchandise, including 10 boxes of 144 caps, 210 membership kits, 34 jerseys, 40 footballs and 70 stickers, will promote the NRL brand to inquisitive Americans.
Anthony Watmough greets Tim Mannah at his first day as a new player for the Parramatta Eels at Pirtek Stadium. pic mark Evans
In Seattle, the Eels players will be put through state-of-the-art training, including upper body strength and power testing, anaerobic testing as well as maximal aerobic speed tests.
“The Seahawks have one of the greatest training facilities in the NFL, and to be able to spend some time there as a team will be a fantastic start to our pre-season as we get ready for 2015,” Eels coach Brad Arthur said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how they operate, and I’m sure we will get a lot of value out of the trip.”
10 boxes — containing:
144 Members Caps
80 Members Scarves
20 Stubby Holders
12 Polo Shirts
210 Membership Kits
34 Player Jerseys (several with #12)
20 Small Footballs
30 Shakers for the team
20 Regular Footballs
70 Stickers
1 x Blue and Gold Army Flag
For the squad
Strapping tape
Powerade Powder
Cones
15 playing balls.
Obviously in addition to of the above players will travel with their training kits, skins, etc
Team management will carry supplements, massage and recovery equipment etc
Replies
And then they have the audacity to call up asking for donations.
The donations could have been for this. This $250k also wouldn't be a part of the salary cap.
Wicks can't go due to visa issues - no doubt because of his criminal record. Shame. As one of the new guys it would have been a wonderful bonding opportunity for him.
Ma'u can't go either. I'm sure the club will have something set-up for them so that they can continue to train.
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