NRLW player Renee Targett paid a visit to the Belmore High-Performance Oval this week to address the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Tarsha Gale side of 2023.
The newly named squad came together for just the second time since being announced to enjoy some lessons from the experienced footballer on respect, values, goals, and expectations.
Targett, a performance and mindset coach when she’s not playing rugby league at the elite level, was proud to share some knowledge with the team and lead them through some mindfulness activities.
“Mindfulness is super important, especially when it comes to stepping into high performance,” she said.
“Which is what you [the Tarsha Gale squad] are essentially going to do. Every week that you come to train, that you play, that you put your bodies on the line, you are attempting to reach peak performance”.
By encouraging the squad to practice mindfulness, Targett hopes it will help them to reduce stress, to focus, help regulate emotional reactivity and lead to higher relationship satisfaction and team bonding.
The 28-year-old leaned on her experience as an elite female athlete to shed light on some of her personal goals and challenges, share insights on building resilience, and explain the importance of having goals both individually and as a team.
“Everyone in this room is here to win a championship, myself included,” she said.
“We're all here because we have the same passion, the same vision, and the same goals”.
Likening the journey towards a championship title to that of a bus ride, Targett told the squad that they would need a plan to follow, much like you use a map or GPS to arrive at your intended destination when travelling somewhere by road. And with a plan in place, she asked all the players to make a personal commitment to be on board with the plan and join their teammates on the road toward a championship.
“You’re either on the bus or off the bus, but either way we’re heading towards a championship. It's your choice whether you get on the bus or you don't get on the bus, but nobody's stopping and waiting for you. Remember that,” she said.
“By being part of this team, you have made the choice to get on the bus”.
By sharing a vision, she advised the players that they also shared the responsibility to help each other achieve their aspirations.
“You all have a part to play,” she said before leading the squad through a team-building exercise to outline the expectations and standards they would hold themselves accountable to in the season ahead. The team collaboratively selected eight key values that would remind them what they were working towards and how they wanted to achieve their goals.
Targett provided much insight for the Tarsha Gale squad who will continue to seek out her guidance and mentorship over the coming months during pre-season preparations.
