Southport Sharks go to North Stradbroke Island for NEAFL pre-season training camp

Southport traded the bush for the beach for this year’s NEAFL pre-season training camp but one thing remained the same - there was a surprise awaiting them.

SOUTHPORT traded the bush for the beach for this year’s NEAFL pre-season training camp but one thing remained the same - there was a surprise awaiting them.

The Sharks were woken abrubtly last year at 2am to do a range of physical and mental tests when they conducted a camp in the Gold Coast Hinterland.

This year they were hit with a mission seconds after stepping off the ferry at North Stradbroke Island.

The playing squad had to hike around 20km on foot to their camping spot, a vacant block next to the Point Lookout Bowls Club, last Saturday.

Southport Sharks NEAFL pre-season training camp at North Stradbroke Island. Picture: Supplied.

They were split into teams, their departure times staggered and given access to just one Iphone to use for directions.

“It was a good camp,” Sharks football manager Jarrod Field said.

“The weather was fantastic and the hike was a little challenge for them.

“A couple of teams took some shortcuts that didn’t work out and covered more ground than others.

Southport Sharks NEAFL pre-season training camp at North Stradbroke Island. Picture: Supplied.

“The hike was the hardest part. We did some ball work Saturday afternoon and some beach activities and then a recovery run on Sunday before some lawn bowls.”

Leading Teams operator Simon Fletcher, who has worked with the group over the past two years, was on hand to instill the trademarks that have led the side to two straight grand final appearances.

Southport Sharks pre-season training camp at North Stradbroke Island. Picture: Supplied.

“It was about reiterating a few things we have done over the last couple of years and why we have been able to make a couple of grand finals,” Field said.

The NEAFL has confirmed the practice match schedule for 2020, with Southport to play Redland at Fankhauser Reserve on March 7 and Aspley at Graham Road on March 21.