INCREASING core strength, and setting as well as kicking goals are some of many skills the Bendigo Bank Pioneers Football Club’s younger players are working on. A group of talented youngsters from this year’s under-15 and under-16 campaigns were at Golden Square for yesterday’s development session.Pioneers’ assistant coach Luke Monaghan, coach Mark Ellis, and strength-conditioning coach Luke Stratford focused on various areas.An eight-week program for the under-16s will include training with the Pioneers under-18 squad.“A major focus of this program is on improving skills, not just kicking and marking the footy, but on goal-setting, core strength, overall fitness and game plans,” Monaghan said.“It’s about making the transition to the next level of competition that little bit of easier. The development program is also about improving lots of skills.”Yesterday’s session included skills work on Country Vet Oval, and fitness tips and some demanding exercise routines run by Stratford in the gym.