Week #1 Recap: Warriors 2020 Preseason

Salt Lake City, UT — The Utah Warriors domestic players reported to camp on Monday, December 2nd and are well into the pre-season testing and training protocols after just one week.

“It’s good to be back,” said newly-signed and former BYU All-American and USA Rugby U20 Captain, Calvin Whiting. “This group has been chomping at the bit for a few months now, so it’s great to see everyone and to get this thing going.”

Whiting and the rest of the Warriors began the week with the players’ physicals at Intermountain Healthcare’s TOSH facility. A full set of standard physical, orthopedic and other tests were run, while new test protocols like EKG’s and body density composition were run on all players, showing the level of detail needed to monitor and manage the Warriors’ player welfare program.

The Monday player physicals were followed by a team meeting and staff introductions for new and returning players.

Following the Monday physicals and meetings, newly appointed Strength and Conditioning coach Matt Maddison took the team through a series of strength and fitness testing on Tuesday and Thursday.

“We’re generally happy with the players’ aerobic base coming into camp,” Maddison commented. “But, we still have a ways to go on that front, while also fine-tuning some strength components for these players. All in all, you can tell the guys are motivated and hungry.”

The team will have the weekend off, while the Utah Warriors coaching staff enjoys a coaching developmental weekend with World Rugby in Houston, TX.

One of the ancillary highlights to the first week of preseason camp was a private tryout session Wednesday night for the Warriors Selects program that saw over 50 local players test their fitness and rugby skills.

“We had a great showing,” said Director of Rugby Operations, Brandon Sparks. “This community is rich with talent, so it’s just a matter of finding the ones that have put in the hard work up front with their fitness and skills development to be ready for a chance to train and play with the Warriors.”

Highlighting the results of the tryout were eight local players who will be placed in the Warriors Selects program and will train and develop with the Warriors. Another 15 will have their fitness and skills monitored and managed external to the Warriors team.

The Utah Warriors will begin Preseason Week #2 in earnest on Monday with the Warriors’ coaches having returned from their developmental weekend in Houston.

For more information on the Warriors and to follow the Warriors’ Preseason, go to www.WarriorsRugby.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and other platforms.

The Utah Warriors podcast/VLOG, “Warriors Cast w/ Jarom & Banksy” drops another episode today at 3pm MT. Visit the following sources to listen or watch:

• YouTube: http://youtube.com/c/WarriorsRugbyTV
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/warriorsrugbyofficial
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/warriorsrugby
• Instagram TV: https://www.instagram.com/warriorsrugbyofficial/
• Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/warriors-cast/id1488492918

2019 Holiday Ticket Packages go on sale today. For details, CLICK HERE.

2020 Season Tickets are still available by calling 801-935-4045 or by visiting www.WarriorsRugby.com/season-tickets/.

Holiday ticket packs: http://bit.ly/WarriorsHolidayPacks

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