WE SURVIVED BOOT CAMP 2010

The first team run at 6.30am Saturday saw some players almost “carried” over the finish line as teams vied for points in their team competition of the Camp.  Just like the Men, the Women had several education sessions through the Camp to add to their knowledge as athletes.

The players had to complete all the physical activities while combating the weather ranging from searing hot sun to heavy driving rain, however, at no time did anyone falter.

If they thought Saturday was tough, Sunday brought another level of pain they had not previously experienced.  After another run at 6.00am that saw the women’s times only 5 minutes behind those of the men (the coaches had been betting that the women would be 10-15 minutes behind) and a short church service (they needed all the prayer they could get), their worst nightmares were realized as the CAT team turned up without any smiles on their faces. 

First up each team had to push a heavily laden vehicle from the Camp up to the school, some 1 ½ miles, and immediately were put into team exercises that included doing upper body exercises with heavy logs of wood, sit ups using the same logs and decline push-ups that tested even the toughest of the squad.

Time then to regenerate with some energy food and rehydrate before the CAT team took it all to another level.  Team relays with individuals competing by moving tires and heavy tree stumps.  Not just one relay, but the CAT team managed to generate 4 different versions. 

Just like the Men’s Camp, the Women managed to find the character that makes an athlete successful.  Young and thin girls managed to find the strength to help their team push through to the end of each competition.  For some the tree stumps were about half their own body weight, and they struggled to run the length of the course carrying this big load, but never stopping or dropping their load.

When time was called for the end of the session, the players looked relieved until the CAT team advised them that they had to push the vehicles back to Camp.  This challenge brought out a new part of their character and all teams managed to complete most of the trip back at a run while pushing their vehicles. 

It was a proud squad of players that stretched down following the morning’s exercises.  In summing up the Camp, Women’s Squad Head Coach, George Domingo praised their efforts throughout the Camp and remarked on the changes he had seen from Saturday to Sunday. 

All coaches agreed that the goals of the camp had been achieved, the rules followed without exception and the challenges set to the players had been realized.

The team evaluations of the Camp showed that they appreciated the chance to be faced with a whole lot of different challenges and some even asked if they could do it again next weekend.  WHAT!!!

Now that Basketball Palau has set another benchmark for sports development in Palau, other sporting federations are asking if we can assist them in conducting such a Camp.  Basketball Palau’s NDP is becoming a role model for other sports and will continue to set the pace as we progress through the year.

 

 

 




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