It all started and finished with a fun bus ride up the highway but the most enjoyable time was everything that was covered in between.
This year over 40 AFL Brisbane Junior Umpires joined into the fun and hard work that is the SEQ Youth Umpires Preseason Camp.
I know all umpires enjoyed there time and would like to thank Rohan Briggs, David Silver as well as our Coaching group for their assistance over the whole weekend.
Looking forward to the 2012 Preseason Camp
Below is an account of the camp from two of our umpires
Ryan Menzies Preseason Umpire Camp
On the 25th to the 27th of February umpires from Brisbane Juniors, Sunshine Coast Juniors and Gold Coast Juniors went to Currimundi Fitness Camp.
To embark on the 2011 Field Umpires Camp was tonnes of fun, we did a lot of work and it was very tiring but it included plenty of great activities not just to improve on our fitness and umpiring skills but with bonding with our fellow umpires.
The Brisbane Umpires were the bulk of umpires at the camp.
Friday the 25th of February
The south side umpires left Coorparoo Football Club at about 4:30pm and we had to pick up the north side umpires along the way. We got there about 6pm which, because of traffic was a long ride to Currimundi. We had dinner on the bus and once we got to the venue Simon and Ian thought it would be funny to spring a surprise beep test. After the beep test we all gathered in the dining hall to find out cabin allocations and camp groups. There were 7 groups, 6 umpires groups and 1 coaches group.
Saturday the 26th of February
After a early wake up of 5.45am we out set to do a 4km run until James Price did us a favour & and “accidently” miscalculated the distance & it turned into a 3 km run. Thanks James! After our short stroll we sat down for breakfast of pancakes, cereal and yogurt. After breakfast we broke up into groups for activities that included Rec Footy, A Game of Touch, Trivia, and Aerial Rescue. This continued after lunch to 3:00 when we went for a free swim at the pool. After our swim we had some free time, which included egg and spoon races and captain ball. Then it was pasta for dinner. (Were we carb loading for a reason?) After our dinner the night activity was we reinacting 4 scenes from a film. This brought much laughter to the tired bunch & 10.30 was lights out for another early morning.
Sunday the 27th of February
Once again we were woken up early this time it was to complete a customised team triathlon relay. This consisted of a body board paddle, swim and a beach run. Each team had to complete the course twice. After warm ups were completed teams were told to pick two teams of 3. As most teams were made of 9 or 10 people the rest compete in flags after the relays were done. Finally it was time for brekky & this morning it was bacon and eggs. Yum. After brekky we did group activities and packed up of our cabins. At 12.30 pm the Brisbane umpires left the ground for the bus ride home.
The camp was a great way to make new friends and improve our umpiring skills.
Alex Whetton Preseason Umpire Camp
The 2011 SEQ umpire camp began as strong as ever with over 50 keen male and female umpires committed to improving their fitness and skills registered for the camp. The camp was held at Currimundi a magnificent place to increase bonds between umpires as well as interact with coaches.
As soon as we arrived on Friday night we were hit with a beep test to show that this weekend was not going to be a walk in the park. Many boys and girls did exceptionally well under the circumstances with many boys and girls surpassing level 9 (a great achievement).
The following day was again a wake up to what this camp was going to be with a 5:45am start and a 4km time trial which many boys and girls again back up last nights efforts with strong finishes. As the camp progressed the umpires became stronger as a team and within our groups pushed each other. As well as gaining valuable fitness for the season the boys and girls who attended the camp also gained new valuable friendships and experiences.
For all the first years that I heard from the camp was indeed daunting task at first however over coming nerves and doubts about their level of fitness achieved a great feat, surprising every one of their ability. Undoubtedly the preseason camp is a valuable experience to all umpires who attend and the boys and girls will hopefully return next year and participate in the 2012 SEQ umpire camp.
Last Modified on 08/10/2012 16:03