Warm Weather Training

 

Warm Weather Training

Matt Shaw, the highest-ranking profile of any Rugby League Journalist, has taken a pre-season transfer from All Out Rugby and moved to Love Rugby League. His first assignment is to report on the warm weather training in Tenerife with the reigning Super League Champions, Hull KR.

Hull KR in Tenerife pre-season diary day one: New recruits shine

Hard work for the lads, and a jolly outing for Matt Shaw, but is it all necessary or a bit of a fad? Leigh and Warrington have both chosen to give this year a miss, but why? And are they missing out?

Not having any of the answers, I have opted to do the latest fad and ask AI for the answers. Why do Super League clubs choose to do warm-weather training? 

Reliable Training Conditions

"Super League clubs head to warm‑weather training camps because they offer better conditions, higher‑quality preparation, and a chance to reset mentally and tactically—especially when the UK is cold, wet, or frozen. St Helens’ recent trip to Portugal is a perfect example: their pitches at home were covered in snow, and the camp allowed them to continue pre‑season work without disruption". St Helens Star

Improved Physical Conditioning

"Training in heat forces the body to adapt by improving cardiovascular efficiency and heat tolerance" soccerwizdom.com. "These adaptations can boost endurance and overall match fitness once teams return to cooler climates."

Mental Reset & Team Bonding

Camps remove players from everyday distractions.

Being together in a new environment strengthens team cohesion—crucial for pre‑season or mid‑season resets.

Focused Tactical Work

With guaranteed pitch time and fewer interruptions, coaches can run longer, more detailed sessions.

Teams often use these camps to introduce new systems or integrate new signings.

Recovery & Rehab Benefits

Warmer climates help with muscle recovery and reduce injury risk during intense training blocks.

Although injuries can still happen

Leigh Leopards are approaching a fourth consecutive season in the Super League and have used warm weather in the first three. The team have had mixed starts to the season, but have managed top six finishes. Not going away breaks the cycle, but in previous years have recruited quite heavily. Adrian Lam obviously sees Team Bonding as a primary reason for warm-weather training.

Shipping out an entire squad with support staff for a week or two is obviously going to come at a high price. Most clubs are making a loss, so is it a necessary cost? I guess we will see in 9 months time.