The Otago Spirit women’s rugby team used its Balclutha training camp on Saturday to prepare for its Farah Palmer Cup opener against Wellington this weekend. The 28-player squad worked through detailed outdoor sessions at the Balclutha Showgrounds before moving indoors for further preparation. Dunedin based coach Matt Direen said the focus was on “trying to cram in as much detail as possible” and empowering the group dynamic. Training concentrated on team structures and perfecting drills. “We’re trying to really iron out errors and really forge combinations,” he said. The Spirit won the Farah Palmer Cup last season and are aiming to retain the title and gain promotion to the competition’s top division. The squad’s average age is 19 and Mr Direen said their athleticism and passing ability were primary strengths, with the camp also an acknowledgement of the commitment of the team's more rural players. “A big part of us coming down to Balclutha is we have a lot of girls from the South that travel a long way to get to trainings in Dunedin,” he said. "We really appreciate that."
