IRB strength and conditioning consultant in Fiji 17 April, 2012

IRB strength and conditioning consultant, Matt Blair.

Mathew Blair the International Rugby Board’s Consultant in the Pacific for strength and conditioning is currently in the country on a three day auditing program. 

While auditing is usually associated with Finance, Blair is here to audit the Overall and Strength conditioning program that is being coordinated by the Fiji Rugby Union. 

The Strength and Conditioning program is aimed at reviewing contents of the Strength and Conditioning models such as the Functional Screening, the Fitness Testing, Player Profiling, Performance Tracking of players and the conditioning models in relation to the current demands of rugby in the 7s and 15s code. He also aims to integrate Strength and Conditioning and the medical aspect into the whole rugby model. 

Referees will also be under the spotlight in terms of their physical conditioning and performance. 

“Referees need to do physical training that will give them stamina and agility to officiate a match. I know of a referee in South Africa who not only goes to the gym but also plays touch rugby to build up his stamina for rugby matches,” Blair said. 

During his visit he has toured the Fiji Rugby Union’s High Performance training centres. From these visits he will be able to make recommendations on improvements to the current programmes. 

This afternoon Blair ran a speed and agility session with the Junior World Cup squad and will also hold a workshop with the referees, coaches and trainers on the importance of Strength and Conditioning in elite rugby performance. 

In his capacity as the IRB’s Pacific consultant he plans to visit Tonga and Samoa next to also help uplift their Strength and Conditioning programmes.