Heading into the Lions Pre Season Camp last week in Noosa the players were ‘in the dark’ about the schedule and activities they would be completing. Being ‘in the dark’ became literal when the team completed the SERT (Special Emergency Response Team) session on the beach.

The players were put through a series of gruelling challenges to test their teamwork and communication skills included directing a blindfolded teammate to find lost keys in the sand and swimming whilst blindfolded with only the instructors voice to guide you.

Elite Performance Manager, Brett Burton from the Bupa Support Team said the activities were designed build teamwork and focus on the players’ attention to detail.

“It’s all about teamwork, listening to instruction and attention to detail, so the first thing they did was cop a bit of a verbal ear bashing, they get a bit rattled at the start and under pressure they definitely start to think about themselves instead of the team, they get punished for that and after a while they quickly work out that they have to look after their mate and it is all about team.”

The session was completed by the majority of the list, including new draftees, Liam Dawson, Harris Andrews, Josh Watts, Jaden McGrath, Josh McGuinness & Matt Hammelmann with Burton saying it would have been a shock to their system.

“They’ve flown in yesterday some of them and first session they are physically and mentally getting tested and under fatigue, so it is a bit of a shock to them but they get through it and hopefully get some good take away points out of it.”

View the SERT Session Photo Gallery

For more on the Club’s pre season check out the Pre Season Hub which features, new, photos, videos and player diaries.