One-Eyed Richmond Forum

Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: georgies31 on October 18, 2024, 04:38:24 PM

Title: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: georgies31 on October 18, 2024, 04:38:24 PM
Ben Serpell appointed  High Performance Manager

richmondfc.com.au
18 Oct 2024


Richmond has appointed Ben Serpell, an experienced strength and conditioning coach and sporting academic, as the Club’s new High Performance Manager.

Serpell has worked in professional sports since 2008 across various codes, countries, and states, building his expertise in physical performance for athletes and teams.

The experienced Serpell was most recently the Strength and Conditioning Coach at Geelong, having joined the Club in November 2021.

Geelong won the 2022 premiership in his first season, with Serpell playing an important off-field role. He has remained at the Cats for the past two seasons.

Before Geelong, Serpell was the Wallabies Athletic Performance Coach, helping Australia’s National Rugby Union team to an international series victory against France.

Serpell also spearheaded the strategic restructure of the NSW Waratahs’ High-Performance Department as their Head of Performance.

A strong data-driven decision-maker, Serpell is also a Senior Lecturer at the University of New England and contributes to internationally peer-reviewed journals in sports science.

Serpell also worked at the Australian Institute of Sport, University of Canberra, and, for seven years, Brumbies Rugby.

Back in 2010, Serpell was the Strength and Conditioning Coach at Port Adelaide in the AFL, which was his first professional sporting role in Australia after he had previously spent two and a half years at Gloucester Rugby in the United Kingdom.

Richmond General Manager, Football Performance- Tim Livingstone, said that Serpell had a proven track record in performance enhancement.

“Ben has delivered results in competitive settings across various codes and with many different athletes,” he said.

“He is incredibly well-researched, always looking to be innovative, and has a great blend of leadership, work ethic, and insights.

“We are delighted to bring Ben to the Club, and he will be a great asset to our players and the entire football department.”

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1679702/ben-serpell-appointed-high-performance-manager

(https://resources.richmondfc.com.au/photo-resources/2024/10/21/c1180065-ee3d-4fed-8da4-7e6e2196c4bc/54081720818_3db5c5ceaf_k.jpg?width=564&height=300)
Title: Re: New high performance management
Post by: camboon on October 18, 2024, 05:00:43 PM
Very good news,  hopefully we have put the same effort in getting our development addressed.
But credit where credit is due
Title: Re: New high performance management
Post by: Tiger Khosh on October 18, 2024, 05:01:43 PM
Don’t know anything of him, but based on the report has good experience and can bring in fresh and new ideas. Good luck to him, look forward to seeing us significantly improve in this area next season.
Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: Diocletian on October 18, 2024, 05:05:35 PM
Dunno about the Wallabies background, they've been notoriously unfit & injury prone for years.... :help
Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: Hard Roar Tiger on October 18, 2024, 05:12:51 PM
Hopefully he must’ve learned something at Geelong because they’ve had a charmed run
Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: Andyy on October 18, 2024, 05:48:07 PM
He did well to get productive performances out of senior Cats so hopefully that's an indication that he's good
Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: Knighter on October 18, 2024, 05:53:39 PM
Geesook overlooked him when their head of fitness left at the end of the season. Help!
Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: Go Richo 12 on October 18, 2024, 07:08:45 PM
Dunno about the Wallabies background, they've been notoriously unfit & injury prone for years.... :help
Benny Hinn wouldn’t be able to help the Wallabies
Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: Assange Tiger 😎 on October 18, 2024, 07:36:48 PM
Should have kept Meehan for another year to ensure pick #1 in next years draft.

Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: Damo on October 18, 2024, 07:47:23 PM
Should have kept Meehan for another year to ensure pick #1 in next years draft.

Problem with that theory is he might have ruined this years group in year one .. some youngsters have already suffered magic hands

Gibcus, Juddy Clarke etc

Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: Diocletian on October 18, 2024, 07:51:23 PM
Especially if we take blokes like Lalor, FoS & Hotton who've all had injury issues.... :shh
Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: Assange Tiger 😎 on October 18, 2024, 08:00:00 PM
Just rest them for 2025. Put KMac and the boys to work. The dufflecoat people will love it...:shh :shh
Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: WilliamPowell on October 18, 2024, 08:09:12 PM
Would have thought people would have been pleased we went through a thorough process and looked outside

But already there are criticisms

Will back him anything is better that what we witnessed in 2024
Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: Hart4Jack on October 18, 2024, 09:23:17 PM
Would have thought people would have been pleased we went through a thorough process and looked outside

But already there are criticisms

Will back him anything is better that what we witnessed in 2024

Don't worry WP, there'll always be whingers.  Some folks want portholes in their coffins.  :lol
Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: the claw on October 20, 2024, 09:58:02 PM
Would have thought people would have been pleased we went through a thorough process and looked outside

But already there are criticisms

Will back him anything is better that what we witnessed in 2024

Not going to back him and im not going to bag him.
What you me and everyone should be doing is wait and see how he goes before commenting.
As you say he cannot possibly be worse than the last bloke.
Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: one-eyed on October 26, 2024, 07:32:35 PM
Richmond's rebuild is officially underway beginning with a forensic investigation into the club's injury crisis. The Tigers opening their doors to 7NEWS, and fans, ahead of the most crucial draft in Punt Road history. Chief football reporter @cleary_mitch
 has the details. @7AFL

https://x.com/7NewsMelbourne/status/1849723106950250656


... the club are undergoing a five-week injury review after the Tigers used a staggering 42 players this year.

External expert David Joyce found the program needs better structure.

“Clearly we had an unacceptable year from an injury toll, it was decimating,” Shane Dunne added.

Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: Francois Jackson on October 26, 2024, 09:02:50 PM
its what happens when you just hire people within, but especially those who who have nfi.

there were a few on here who didnt blame Magic man until the very end :banghead. Crazy how bad he screwed our club up.

Im glad this new guy has Joyce to assist while he is on training wheels. :shh



Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: WilliamPowell on October 26, 2024, 09:13:41 PM
its what happens when you just hire people within, but especially those who who have nfi.

there were a few on here who didnt blame Magic man until the very end :banghead. Crazy how bad he screwed our club up.

Im glad this new guy has Joyce to assist while he is on training wheels. :shh

Going to name names?  :banghead

Ummm..btw... he doesn't have Joyce. Joyce did the review and his work is complete

 Joyce did the review
Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: one-eyed on November 16, 2024, 05:24:13 AM
Ben Serpell's Pre-Season Update

High Performance Manager Ben Serpell gives an update on the Richmond pre-season program and those players in rehab.

(https://resources.richmondfc.com.au/photo-resources/2024/11/15/9d4067b7-2f7f-4480-ba9c-1a9f63743e35/VHE6QZEp.jpg?width=860&height=484) (https://x.com/Richmond_FC/status/1857336721794560416)
https://x.com/Richmond_FC/status/1857336721794560416
Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: TigerLand on November 16, 2024, 10:15:58 AM
Save us Obi-Ben Serp

You are our only hope
Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: one-eyed on November 16, 2024, 11:11:51 PM
Richmond provide injury update on several sidelined Tigers

Mitch Keating
zerohanger.com
November 16, 2024


Richmond have provided an update on several players who have started the pre-season recovering from injuries as they eye an early return in 2025.

The Tigers faced one of the toughest battles on the injury front this year, having lost five players to ACL setbacks and dealing with further ailments to a large group of senior and emerging players.

Four Tigers are still recovering from season-ending knee injuries, with Josh Gibcus, Tylar Young, Judson Clarke and Mykelti Lefau all yet to return to main training.

Speaking to the club's media arm, new Richmond high-performance boss Ben Serpell said all four sidelined Tigers are progressing well.

"They'd done a mountain of work before I got here," he said.

"We're really happy with where they're at at this point in time. They're a long way off yet, but I'm really comfortable with what the guys downstairs are doing with them."

Young trio Tom Brown (ankle), Steely Green (ankle) and Sam Banks (foot) are also working through personalised programs to start the pre-season, with the latter undergoing surgery in the off-season after dealing with the issue throughout the year.

Banks has begun to take part in drills with the main group under a non-contact policy, while Brown is nearing the same stage in his rehabilitation.

Green, who had his 2024 campaign brought to a close alongside Brown in August, is also reaching new stages in his recovery.

"'Banksy' is great, he even entered some drills this week with a non-contact hat on," Serpell added.

"We're really happy with his enthusiasm to get back out there, the impact he had in the sessions and the willingness to try something different.

"'Browny' has done a few weeks of running now and is starting to get his loads up.

"We're hoping he can join some drills in a non-contact scenario next week and get his hands on the footy a little bit.

"Steely Green has been out there a little bit, a similar kind of (recovery). He's enjoying it and really embracing the changes in his program."

Steely Green during Richmond's open training on December 20, 2022 (Photo by Cameron Grimes/Zero Digital Sports)
Richmond's first-to-fourth-year players returned to Punt Road for 2025 preparations this week, with the club's senior players to start training in the coming weeks.

https://www.zerohanger.com/richmond-provide-injury-update-on-several-sidelined-tigers-156860/
Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: MaccaDacca on November 18, 2024, 10:54:43 AM
No mention of Tom Lynch seems odd
Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: Andyy on November 18, 2024, 11:55:32 AM
No mention of Tom Lynch seems odd

Must be absolutely flying lol.

All likelihood he's just having a holiday.
Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: Tiger Khosh on November 18, 2024, 07:07:47 PM
Yeah only 1st-4th year players are back.
Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: MintOnLamb on November 19, 2024, 04:59:35 AM
Yeah only 1st-4th year players are back.
Is that a voluntary thing?
Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: WilliamPowell on November 19, 2024, 07:28:01 AM
Yeah only 1st-4th year players are back.
Is that a voluntary thing?

No, the AFLPA's CBA determines when players start pre-season

Under the CBA 5th year platers onwards get an extra 2 weeks of "leave" but can come back early if they choose

Tom Lynch has been at the Club

In yesterday's gallery of traing pics, there is a photo of big Tom in training gear talking to someone, might have been Serpell...saw the gallery on FB, it's not on the Club website yet
Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: HKTigerB on November 19, 2024, 11:29:51 AM
Lynch was at training yesterday, working with/coaching the tall forwards. Campbell Gray seemed a focus.  Was there at least one day last week as well doing the same.
Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: MintOnLamb on November 19, 2024, 10:11:52 PM
Yeah only 1st-4th year players are back.
Is that a voluntary thing?

No, the AFLPA's CBA determines when players start pre-season

Under the CBA 5th year platers onwards get an extra 2 weeks of "leave" but can come back early if they choose

Tom Lynch has been at the Club

In yesterday's gallery of traing pics, there is a photo of big Tim in training gear talking to someone, might have been Serpell...saw the gallery on FB, it's not on the Club website yet
Thanks for the info
Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: one-eyed on February 05, 2025, 08:28:00 PM
Tigers strive for speed under new fitness boss

RFC website
5 Feb 2025


Running has been the cornerstone of Richmond’s pre-season program under the Club’s new High Performance Manager Ben Serpell.

The Tigers have undergone an intensive summer of training sessions designed to, quite literally, get them up to speed at the game’s highest level.

“My background’s in occupational therapy, so for me it’s looking at what’s the end result we want to achieve and work back from there,” Serpell said.

“You look at AFL footy and there’s a lot of running in it.

“You might get 15-30 kicks in a game . . .  We’ll do 15-30 kicks in a warm-up and then we’ll start training kicking.

“But you run upwards of 12km in a game, and you don’t spend a lot of time training how to run.

“So, that’s my philosophy. Let’s flip that a little bit, teach people how to run.

“We think it’s quite an easy thing to do, but it’s actually not. That’s why your hundred metre track and field athlete is continually working on drills to become a better runner.

“So, because it’s such a big part of the game, we’re going to spend a lot of time on running and go from there.”

Serpell also believes that contrary to accepted opinion, players can, in fact, be taught to run faster.

“The difference between running a 9.8 metres per second versus 10 metres per second in a game of footy may not make a difference. But at the end of the day what we’re trying to do is change motor patterns and make sure they’re moving effectively,” he said.

“So, that’s a lot of what we’re trying to do. And that way, we’re confident when they’re running fast, they’re not just overloading a certain area of their body.

“I’m big on spending a lot of time on it.

“My philosophy is run well, then run well lots. So, that’s the focus we’ve taken.”

Serpell is determined to turn another established football idiom on its head.

“There’s that catch phrase we play how we train. I like to flip that – we train how we play.

“If we want to play at high intensity, we train at high intensity. So, we’re working on that.

“We can’t keep protecting guys by not putting them in training and slowing them down.

“Let’s make training harder than the game and let’s be confident . . .”

Serpell’s innovative approach to his craft has led to the introduction of a particularly interesting pre-season drill for the players . . . they are running with their hands on hips.

“The reality is that if you watch our guys play, they’re not using their arm swing much when they’re running, they’re calling for the ball,” Serpell said.

“So, (it’s about) getting them strong, hips down and running well there.

“Let’s do that and make sure they can operate their upper body separate to their lower body.”

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1712401/tigers-strive-for-speed-under-new-fitness-boss
Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: WilliamPowell on February 05, 2025, 10:04:00 PM
Link to his interview on Talking Tigers

Super impressive

He has a Phd and it focused on ACLs

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/video/1712491/ben-serpell-on-talking-tigers?videoId=1712491&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1738650844001
Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: Tigeritis™©® on February 06, 2025, 12:20:24 AM
This serpell fella sounds really good.

I hope we are really fit unlike the last 3 years when we couldn't get through 3 full quarters.
Title: Re: New high performance manager - Ben Serpell
Post by: one-eyed on March 07, 2025, 09:52:44 PM
Adem Yze spoke glowingly of Serpell.

“Any person you talk to about him in the AFL industry, just speaks so highly of him, and we can see the reasons why,” Yze said.

“He’s such a smart operator, he’s really diligent, and we need that with our list dynamic what it is right now.

“Our boys are learning how to train hard, recover . . .

“Ben’s been terrific for our program and a great support for me.”

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1726405/season-of-change-at-tigerland