VSCC Schools Conditioning Programme

  The off-season and pre-season conditioning programmes conducted by VSCC are an excellent and important addition to the Schools Rugby curriculum. The expertise and experience VSCC bring to this programme is invaluable to Coaches, Trainers and athletes for the further development of the game at the School level. NZ Rugby fully support and endorse the VSCC programmes for Schools throughout the country.  

Andrew Hore
NZRU Sports Science

  The program VSCC has put together will have many ongoing benefits for all athletes in a school sports program. The fact that the emphasis is on training the entire athlete and not just focused on any one fitness component is by far its greatest strength. Add to that Richards' expertise in teaching lifting techniques means that their program has advantages for athletes well beyond their school years.  

Mike Wallace
High Performance Manager, Auckland Rugby Union

De La Salle College used VSCC for the first time as a conditioning programme for our 1st XV hopefuls at the beginning of 2007.

  I found it to be extremely beneficial for the following reasons;

• We were able to tailor the programme to suit our needs.
• The quality of service and professionalism of Richard Dryden, Jon Renes and there team of trainers was outstanding.
• As a result of taking part in the VSCC conditioning programme the boys came into pre-season fitter, fresher and more motivated than previous years
• It took the pressure off the 1st XV coaching staff in term one. We knew the boys were receiving the necessary work. We could sit back and observe.
• It was a different voice early on. This meant the boys were more receptive to the coaching staff once pre season began.

I am very pleased I chose to give the VSCC programme a go. We will be using them again. I recommend them highly.  

Mark Wilson
1st XV Coach
Sports Director at De La Salle College

King's College First XV

  Richard Dryden and VSCC delivered a seminar at King's to our senior rugby players and coaches. The aim of the seminar was for Richard to improve the technique and knowledge of all participants in Olympic lifting and therefore improve their power.

Richard was the ultimate professional in all of his dealings with King's College and a superb role model for our students. He delivered the seminar in an inclusive, friendly manner and engendered a real standard of excellence in our athletes.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Richard for his input into the development of King's College athletes and whole heartedly recommend him to other schools.  

Jim Dickin
First XV Rugby Coach
HOD Physical Education

  Richard's vast knowledge and experience in Olympic weightlifting and coaching high level athletes was valuable in working with our Academy and High Performance athletes on their basic lifts and Olympic movements. Each player learned something and has improved technically in the gym. An open forum with trainer's, physios and other health and fitness industry professionals provided some great discussion points and all who attended found value in the session.  

Simon Thomas
Head Strength & Conditioning Coach
Tasman Rugby Union
www.makos.co.nz

Parents of Participants in Southland Sport Physical Conditioning Programme for Talented Youth, 2008

  Richard's vast knowledge and experience in Olympic weightlifting and coaching high level athletes was valuable in working with our Academy and High Performance athletes on their basic lifts and Olympic movements. Each player learned something and has improved technically in the gym. An open forum with trainer's, physios and other health and fitness industry professionals provided some great discussion points and all who attended found value in the session.  

 I think it's great that young talent is identified and given the opportunity to improve their strength and skill 

  Norina really enjoyed her time with the programme and became more supple. It brought her out of her shell (she basically was a shy person) 

  Yes, definitely, Anaru thoroughly enjoyed the programme, his speed has definitely improved lots  

  Yes, thought it was well worth the money. Stephen enjoyed the programme and it helped with his confidence, ensured he maintained fitness during the year. He also developed new skill/ideas 

  To all the organisers, thanks for all the work you have done in this programme 

  Richard Dryden has assisted Team New Zealand with their strength conditioning in the winters of 2000, 2001 & 2002. He has provided programmes and technical expertise in the areas of Olympic Weight Lifting and Squatting. He has been used as one of our "consulting experts" - working within our overall conditioning schedule and providing expertise on one important aspect of a larger programme. The sailors and I have found Richard's input to be of immense value in our conditioning programme.

He is able to apply his specialist knowledge of Olympic lifting to assist sporting codes (outside of weightlifting) in a manner that is, in my belief, unequalled in New Zealand. The sailors respect him and responded well to his style of coaching. The programmes that he set were highly effective, with our sailing team dramatically improving both their lower body strength & total body power over the past 3 years.

I believe Richard's skills could be of great value to other New Zealand sports teams. I would be happy to discuss this further with any teams who were thinking of employing Richard's skills.  

David Slyfield
Fitness Trainer
Team New Zealand

  As the Sports Science Co-ordinator for the Southern Sting Netball Team (winners of 7 National titles in 9 seasons) I have utilised Richard for the past two years to work with our team to teach the fundamentals around olympic lifting to assist their strength and conditioning programme.

2007 was a very crucial year for us in Southland, being the final year of the National Bank Cup, to ensure that the trophy, along with the Coca Cola Cup, stayed in the South. I strongly believe that the work that Richard did that in the initial stage of the season enabled our players to reach the physical requirements to take out the title. This year I have again used Richard's expertise to work with our team and am extremely hopeful of the results that we may achieve.

Richard's expertise and the manner that he has with athletes ensures that his vast wealth of knowledge is easily picked up and implemented.

I know that the teaching/professional development that he gave me has been of enormous benefit and I am now able to assist several of our New Zealand premier athletes meet the NZ expectations in world championships.

I am happy to be contacted in regards to any questions that you may have.  

Steve Jackson
B.Ph.Ed.,Dip.Tchg, P.Grad Dip Spt Mgt, P.Grad.Dip. Couns.