School’s Back From Summer - Boot Camp returns

Before most people's alarm clocks went off this morning, 24 R.B.A.I pupils made their way in the cold and drizzle to the famous ProKick Gym in East Belfast for what has become known to all regular ProKickers as "Billy's Boot Camp." 6am bright and breezey was the start time and there was no easing into it as the 24 under 18 footballers were given a quick induction into what to expect from the boot camp and then....straight into the workout!

Day 5: Only one missing today but no fines in place as we already knew they wouldn't be attending. Today possibly the hardest day yet as when the squad arrived at the gym, the entire ProKick pads and bag circuit was already set up and good to go. The lads started off with a slightly easier warm up than usual and then were put into pairs on each piece of apparatus ready to do not a 2 or 3 minute round, but ten minutes of non-stop pads and bags action. Boxing was the main focus for today especially as some of the bags are quite tough even for the more experienced  ProKick members to kick but that didn't mean the lads were let off lightly. Especially as the last stop on the circuit was a hard pads session with Mr Murray himself. As soon as the first circiut was over and done with, the lads had a very quick rest bite before the trainers went on and they were outside ready to hit the ProKick fighter circuit lap. The aim of today was to do only one lap but everyone who beat their previous times were awarded with a free ticket to ProKick's 'Fright Night' event in Belfast on October 30th. Fastest lap today was made by 16 year old Aaron Dalzell (pictured above) who completed the circuit in an astonishing time of 1min 55sec. Then it was back into the gym for one last round. Both Mr Murray and R.B.A.I head coach Michael Titterington were extremely impressed with the effort and dedication displayed by all the young football players and from everyone at the ProKick team, may we say a massive well done to you all and all of you would be welcome back any time.

Day 4: Full squad all present and correct this morning, well done everyone. Everyone still on time, too which is good to see. Started off the morning with some light warm ups and some upper body work but today's focus was geared towards helping everyone's recovery times. The ProKick sprint lap consists of a gentle uphill climb along the street the HQ is on, around the primary school, along the adjacent road and a last 100m downhill full sprint. This is the same sprint that all the ProKick fighters have to do when preparing for fights. No fights in the ring today for the young footballers but fighting to beat their previous sprint times was the goal. A good time for the sprint is 2min 30sec and most of the squad got under or around this so very well done. The entire team did 3 full sprints guided along by the ProKick team pace setters with only 45 seconds rest inbetween. Then to finish the morning's fitness workout, the lads "piggy-back" raced in pairs up the street, swapping over every 10 steps. First pair to the top were the winners but it was very close at points. 

Day 3: Back to a full team today as Gavin McCaughan made a welcomed return - yesterday he suffered from....wait-for-it -  didn't hear the alarm clock. ( haven't heard that one before, NOT) 
The squad seemed to be getting more into the swing of the routine this morning. Some even started doing their own warm ups as they got into the gym. Other, however still looking slightly weary eyed were a little slower off the mark but that soon changed as Mr Murray, the ProKick team and not one, but two R.B.A.I teachers entered the gym to keep an eye on the squad' performance. We were joined today by School Paper administrator Gary Hamilton. The lads started up with the usual warm ups, some light stretching and some overall light cardio exercises before the press-ups and sit-ups came into play. A good, solid 25 minute cardio and boxing session ensued before the team made their way out into the cold and drizzle to run a few laps of the ProKick fighter sprint lap. Times were still quite good in the first lap however fell drastically for the second lap - a few improved from the first sprints, pleased with everyone's effort performance so far.

Day 2: Not as bright and full of energy as yesterday morning, plus one boot camper was missing but nevertheless the lads seemed game for a workout. Today we focused on upper body strength, lots of press-ups, boxing and even went on to do some partner work on basic drills. At the end of the session, the lads were put through 2 rounds of hardcore exercise and punching work, just as any of the ProKick fighters would have to do. Most kept up the pace quite well but as you can see from the pictures of day two, there were still some of the group finding the intensity a little too much to handle. Hard work and cracking effort put in by all the lads, only 3 days to go!

Day 1: The morning started off with a bunch of eager faces all wondering what awaited them. Led by ProKick head coach Billy Murray, the R.B.A.I head coach and ProKick member Michael Titterington and the ProKick team, the keen footballers were given a warm welcome, an introduction to the sport of kickboxing and before they got too relaxed, the famous "Sprint!!" phrase was heard. The rest of the morning included some tough floor exercises, press-ups, sit-ups ad star jumps a plenty with some basic punching and kicking techniques thrown into the mix. A solid 40 minute action packed workout and just as the lads thought all was over, it was time to do a timed lap of the ProKick circuit. Some good times from the lads, the fastest of which was 2:07 but let's see if the boys can keep up the pace tomorrow!

Make sure to get plenty of sleep tonight boys, last day tomorrow and this time you will be undertaking the ProKick Gym pads and bags circuit!