The Pathway Program was a first for the club and aimed to expose the under-16s to the commitments of senior football. 

The juniors participated in training sessions with the senior grades, took part in drug and alcohol classes and worked on strength and conditioning coaching.

Health and nutrition classes were hosted by Paralympian Mel Perrine and the strength and conditioning classes were run by Thomas Willoughby. 

Mittagong Junior Lions club secretary Billy Hayward said the program, held over three weeks on Tuesday nights, was a huge success.

In a short time, the difference in the players was noticeable. “Our juniors came into the seniors very vulnerable and shy,” he said. “But by the end of the three weeks the boys grew from strength to strength learning different aspects [of football] apart from the game.”

Hayward said the program was invaluable for the young players and their on-field development. 

“The boys learnt all about managing fatigue and controlling aggression in training, especially in defence drills and learning different techniques in tackle technique and support play,” he said.

Hayward said the juniors put their learning into action last weekend and took two victories. 

“The boys used all their knowledge and experience to come out dominant winners against ladder-leaders Narellan,” he said.

“The 16a’s put on a clinical display and won 34-16 over Moss Vale.”

The program wraps on Sunday with a full game-day experience. The boys will turn up to Mittagong Sportsground in their new polo shirts and dress pants, introduced by the executive committee as part of the program. They are then invited into the reserve grade sheds, to give them a sense of the expectations coaches have on senior football players.

Hayward, who is also the Lions reserve grade coach, will make a pre-game speech, as will the captain before kickoff.

“[They will] see how the boys get themselves ready before a big game including the all important warm-up intensity and communication,” Hayward said. “The players are busting to get into the seniors in the next few years.”

“The parents have been overwhelmed with the support the seniors have shown to their sons, and no doubt will have a lot of admirerers come kick off this Sunday.”

First grade coach Dan Beardshaw said the transition program had been a great asset to the club and younger players. 

“All the juniors have valued it greatly and I had a lot of thanks after the latest training session,” he said.