AS Huddersfield Giants took the start of Super League IX by storm by winning five out of their opening six fixtures, rival clubs took a close look at what coach Jon Sharp's men had been doing differently.

One of the key variations was their alternative approach to pre-season camp.

While the rest of the clubs in Super League jetted off in search of the sun, the Giants headed north to spend a week training at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate.

It was a trip which proved a huge success.

With the weather staying fine, the Giants were able to enjoy a solid week of intense training with no distraction whatsoever.

As a result, Sharp's men hit the ground running at the start of the 2004 season.

But despite the great success of the trip to North Yorkshire, Sharp did not remain wholly convinced it was the most effective way to approach a campaign in the top flight.

He felt something was missing.

And that something can be found at Browns Sports and Leisure Club at Vilamoura in Portugal.

Regarded as one of the best training bases for professional sportsmen in the world, Browns has everything.

And Sharp believes the opportunity to spend a week in the Algarve between January 15 and 22 was one that simply couldn't be missed.

"Everyone thought we had found a perfect formula by going to Harrogate last year," said Sharp.

"It did go well and we were all delighted with the facilities that were available to us.

"But I know how lucky we were with the way our week went.

"One of the biggest downsides of going to North Yorkshire was the lack of a training venue if the weather wasn't great.

"As a result, I spent most of the week keeping my fingers crossed that it didn't rain.

"Fortunately, we got away with it, but I don't want to risk it again.

"But obviously, there's far more to it than that.

"Last year we had a 14-week pre-season as opposed to 10 weeks this time around.

"If last year's training camp had been disrupted by the weather it wouldn't have been too drastic because we still had 13 other weeks when all the preparation could be done.

"But this time around camp is more central to our off-season.

"It's been a deliberate policy to have a shorter pre-season for several reasons.

"For a start, we've had a number of players on representative duty and they needed a break.

"We also had a lot of players who finished the season with knocks and needed longer to recover from them.

"And, just as importantly, we don't need to spend as much time working on new systems of play.

"Last year when I had just arrived, the players had to get used to my coaching methods and my systems of play. That obviously takes time.

"But the vast majority of the squad are now familiar with those systems and know what's expected.

"We've only got four new signings who have to pick them up, but they are all smart players who I know won't find it too much trouble.

"I know that whatever the weather the quality of the work we will be able to do at Browns will be spot-on.

"The training fields are immaculate and there's a superbly-equipped gym which has everything.

"In fact, I don't think there's anything it doesn't have!"