On Monday, February 13, the Northville branch of Michigan Rush welcomed trainers from Nike SPARQ into their winter training environment to work with players and perform various fitness tests. Such tests included the arrowhead agility shuttle, 20-meter sprint, vertical jump, and yo-yo intermittent recovery test. SPARQ is an acronym representing speed, power, agility, reaction and quickness, and is a methodology of training and testing utilized by athletes of all levels of various sport, both across the country and the world. SPARQ offers athletes a means of monitoring and improving their athletic capabilities, to help them to obtain a competitive edge over their opponents. Monday’s Nike SPARQ testing provided players from the Rush with an opportunity to measure, record, and evaluate several components of their own athleticism for later reference and comparative tracking.
Throughout the fall season, Michigan Rush offered an SAQ (speed, agility & quickness) training program for its players; such training was used as an additional supplement to the players’ regular team training sessions. Currently, Michigan Rush is exploring further opportunities which will allow them to supply players with ways in which they can evaluate and improve their individual athletic capabilities. Included in these efforts, is a current engagement in conversations with Nike SPARQ and other local outlets, all in an effort to reach an agreement that will allow the Rush to provide its membership with future athletic training and testing opportunities. Michigan Rush’s goal is to provide an environment that is not only suitable for optimal soccer development from a technical and tactical standpoint, but also allows its players an opportunity to reach their full potential as an athlete overall. The hope is that Monday’s SPARQ testing was just a small sample of what is to come for the Michigan Rush and its membership, as the Rush continues to seek partnerships with quality people to provide the best all-around training possible for its players.