As important as it is to nail down tactics and improve fitness over the course of pre-season, equally as important is the bonding of the team.
Last year for Derby County’s Under-18s, it was a piece of luxury in the Algarve of Portugal training alongside the Under-23s and first-team.
However, this year, it is a very different story.
On Monday afternoon, Justin Walker and Rory Delap’s side travelled to the north of Wales for a four-night stay at Kingswood; an outdoor education and activity centre.
At Kingswood, the Under-18 group have already begun in engaging in a range of different activities including a high-ropes assault course, a 3G rope swing and many more daring experiences.
On top of the activities, the group will also be getting down to some football work in a training session on Tuesday evening at a local non-league club.
Upon arrival at Colomendy, Walker spoke to RamsTV to offer his thoughts.
He said: “This is exactly what we wanted. It is a totally different experience from the one that we had last year.
“Last year was luxury for the players and this year it really is back to basics!
“I think with coming and staying in tents, the lads are at close quarters so it’s a brilliant exercise for us to get to know each other better over pre-season.”
As well as pushing the players out of their comfort zones through the activities, the group were equally as surprised to discover the lack of mobile phone signal and wifi.
Walker explained that this was exactly what the coaching staff were looking for and he believes that it will be crucial going into the season as it will enable team bonding to take place a lot sooner.
He added: “I think the lads were devastated about there being no wifi or phone signal but that is exactly why we wanted to come here.
“Socially they just needed that interaction, so its made it that little bit more difficult for them to just go and hide away on their phone, however, there are one or two that are finding a way.
“These sort of things really are crucial.
“The activities that we’ve got planned over the course of the next three days have that social element, but they also force the personalities out of people.
“We are all vulnerable in certain situations and you are challenged to come out of your comfort zone here a bit and that is for both players and staff.
“It really does lead into the season nicely because you are going to need each other in terms of their individual development and also togetherness as a team.”
