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MANLY have employed an Auckland company led by a decorated soldier to restore their reputation as the game's cleanest club after a year of horror headlines and off-field scandals.
The company, called Contact Training System, will aim to defuse potentially volatile and damaging off-field situations by teaching players how to communicate with their hands and body language to avoid trouble.
Players will learn to protect themselves - and others - without using their fists if a drunken drama looms.
CTS's Jamie Singe will head the Sea Eagles' bold operation, which comes under the heading Critical Incident Management.
Singe has worked with tactical teams in the New Zealand Army and NZ Air Force, trained troops for deployment in the Persian Gulf, helped with peace talks in the Solomon Islands, worked in security for diplomatic protection in Singapore and with the NZ Department of Corrections.
His company also trains law enforcement and military officers in counter-confrontation.
Manly officials believe off-field problems in the past year could have been avoided had Singe been working at the club.
"Crashing and bashing the bad guy is long gone," Singe said. "We teach them how to defend themselves at the crisis point and to recognise that crisis at the timely moment.
"There is an element of self-defence but most people aren't fighters. The whole idea is to avoid confrontation.
"We are about people being aware of the indications people give out around them. Confrontation hasn't changed in a million years.
We look at how people stand and their body language so that nothing comes out of the blue. It's also about controlling the space around you, who is behind you, who is with you, where the exit is."
Singe said NRL clubs could not afford negative press through off-field dramas.
"There are so many ramifications these days, legal ramifications and consequences," he said. "We want to keep the good guys looking like good guys and keep the good guys safe."
Manly stars Anthony Watmough and Steve Matai were hit and kicked on Warringah Rd, Beacon Hill, in January.
While the pair were innocent, club officials believe the incident could have been avoided with the right professional training.
"The first response is to be non-violent," Singe said. "We teach people how to control their space. You don't own the space around you, you occupy it.
"It's also about positioning your hands to communicate. It pours water on a situation - not fuel.
"We also tell people to be aware of what's coming next. There is a misconception that you have to be hit before you do something.
"No one we have worked with in 14 years has ever been brought into disrepute or faced charges. We try to cut things off before it gets to conflict."
Manly coach Des Hasler supports his club's proactive stance on off-field behaviour.
"It's about players handling themselves in situations," Hasler said.
"High-profile athletes are no more or less confrontational than normal young men but because they are high-profile, any confrontation is scrutinised through the media and public.
"The consequences and repercussions of such confrontation can be far-reaching, as it affects the reputation of the players, club, family and their chosen sport."
Singe will arrive at Brookvale before the end of the month.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/manly-call-on-former-soldier-for-advice-on-how-to-get-out-of-potentially-damaging-situations/story-e6frexnr-1225837162466
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