Roughyeds enjoy training session with Anthony 'Million Dollar' Crolla

Oldham RLFC's preparations for the upcoming season stepped up a notch after the squad completed a training session led by former world champion boxer Anthony Crolla.

The players swapped the frozen rugby field for the boxing ring and were put through their paces in the session at Anthony Crolla’s gym, Fox ABC, which is located at the Vestacare Stadium.

Head coach Stuart Littler was delighted with the way the team applied themselves during the session, and believes it is another step towards getting them ready for the upcoming season.

Said Littler: “We’re still building our cardio fitness and, at this time of pre-season, it’s what we needed.

“It’s a different environment and the session took some out of their comfort zone and pulled us together as a group.

“It was about building resilience when things got tough and pulling each other through - I thought there was a lot of that today.

“Full respect to Anthony, I thought the lads bought in really well to what he was looking for.

"It got us working and it ticked a lot of boxes for us.”

The session lasted around the length of a game of rugby league and it kicked off with running drills and moved on to shadow boxing before the lads faced off in the boxing ring.

Designed to build togetherness and fitness levels, it was full-on and delivered in short bursts - mirroring the intensity levels of rugby league.

Crolla retired from boxing aged 32 and during his career he became the WBA lightweight champion.

Said Crolla: “It went really well; what I liked about it the most was the togetherness.

“Rugby is very much a team game.

"If someone is struggling you get behind them and you back your man and that’s exactly what the lads were doing then when someone was struggling.

“For someone who’s a non boxer that’s a very tough session.

"That session will give them a togetherness and team spirit, as well as the aerobic and anaerobic side of things.

“I can’t pretend I’m knowledgeable in rugby league, but what I do know is that it’s a game where you’re working on and off in very intense bursts so that’s what I tried to do with the lads.”

Oldham's first pre-season match is on January 22 when they have their first run out against Widnes Vikings, before the League One season gets underway on February 19.

A reminder that season tickets for the upcoming season are only available until December 31.

Tickets for all pre-season games and season tickets can be found at: www.roughyeds.co.uk/tickets

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.