Head Coach Pete Lucock is pleased with how the squad has returned for pre-season as preparations continue for the 2026/27 National 1 campaign.
“The boys look good in pre-season. It’s about how they respond in uncomfortable positions. We deliberately put them under fatigue to see how they react and recover.”
With a shorter pre-season than usual, Lucock has been encouraged by the standards set by the players before they even returned to training. “We haven’t got a long pre-season, so we needed to hit the ground running. The boys all came back in good shape because they knew the expectations. If they hadn’t, they would have been doing extra work on the side of the pitch.”
Lucock also highlighted the role Leeds Tykes plays in developing players, pointing to Louis Guthrie’s move to Rotherham Titans as an example of players fulfilling their ambitions. “One of the reasons I got into coaching was to help players reach the highest level they can. If we’re helping players achieve those ambitions, then we’re doing something right. Louis has earned his opportunity and I’m confident he’ll prove himself in the Championship this season. Hopefully Leeds Tykes continues to be a club where players can develop and achieve their ambitions of playing at the highest level possible.”
Looking ahead to the National 1 season, Lucock expects Plymouth and London Scottish to set the early pace. “Both have recruited well. Every club has a high turnover of players in this league and there are some ambitious teams coming up too. It’s all to play for and we’ll know more once the season gets underway.”
Reflecting on last season, Lucock believes there were clear signs of progress as the campaign developed. “If you take away the first ten games, we were right in the top-six picture. We didn’t start the season as well as we’d have liked, but after Christmas we began to show what this group is capable of.”
As for the season ahead, Lucock is focused on building momentum one game at a time. “I know it’s a cliché, but we’ll take each game as it comes. We’ve got some long away trips this season, which means we’ll spend a lot of time together. That will only help strengthen us as a squad.”
And his prediction for the National 1 title?
“Leeds Tykes,” he laughed. “Why not aim for the stars at this point in the year?”
Thanks to Ben Cropper for his interview with Pete.
Pete is sponsored by ABN Resource.