Secret agent Carl took us via the MTR to his old school, Jockey Club Ti-I College, a journey of approximately 50 minutes, from Jordan to Fo Tan, with changes of train, at Mong Kok and Kowloon Tong stations, plus a short walk at either end of the journey. Heading over before nine on a Saturday morning the streets and public transport were less crowded and the heat of the day less fierce than we experienced yesterday. Slightly less sensory overload for the Korus this time around, in the capable hands of our team-mate and tour guide.
Like much else in the city, tall buildings and persistently running highways surround Jockey Club Ti-I College. A smart well-tended campus in the New Territories, and therefore built about 30 years ago, it is green and comparatively tranquil, at least on a Saturday in the school holidays. Although small, the school gym was bright and airy with a clean wooden floor.
Everyone eased enthusiastically into their training, with the main objective being to work on shooting, and running through our regular drills, tuning up and focusing for the week ahead.
Mikey sat out, suffering a stomach upset, perhaps just his system acclimatising to the local food, possibly also an adverse reaction to his heavy indulgence in the crayfish on offer at last evening’s buffet. Everyone else is eager and relaxed, moving comfortably, enjoying each other's company, relishing the shared mission and adapting well to the unfamiliar environment.
Periods of noise and high energy are interspersed with more concentrated focus and quieter intensity, as Mark and the players run through various of the drills they have devised, learnt and honed over the past ten months: 11 hours and four time zones away back at Burnham, Pioneer, Ohoka and the various other gyms we have used for our monthly training camps.
Mark introduces a new drill intending to develop presence of mind and increase awareness of supporting a team-mate when their personal opponent over-commits. After a raucous and crochety first run through, that becomes more instinctive and should pay dividends in the week ahead, particularly against our less experienced opponents.
In the end a handful of players are pleased to have achieved personal best scores in the shooting competition that we finish every training session with, including Rosa who scores the best that anyone has ever made at any of these competitions. It is inspiring to also see Lucy taking a greater part in the training as her long rehabilitation from surgery continues.
Returning to the BP International House Hotel, retracing our steps along the MTR, the crowds and temperatures have both increased, although everyone is starting to overcome the unfamiliarity of it all and really enjoy the amazing variety, colour and life of this fantastic city.
After lunch the team relaxed in the outdoor pool at Kowloon Park next to our hotel. Yes, of course we waited the required time after eating before we took to the water! A great way to enjoy another part of Hong Kong's offerings before our first hit out in the tournament stadium with a training match against Australia.
With IKF president Jan Fransoo looking on, this training match was a chance for some fine-tuning and blowing out some of the pre tournament mental tension. During our warm up a few nervous passes were thrown as well as our visual cues also being thrown by the more cavernous stadium.
The match was a chance for a number of players to have their first experience of playing against another international side and one of the strongest sides at this tournament. The increased pressure and intensity of the game and the situation was certainly evident as some old habits returned and Australia were able to comfortably control the game. Slowly our players began to relax and play better is short bursts but rhythm was hard to maintain with regular substitutions to give everyone a run on court. Without a functioning scoreboard the final score was unclear but there was certainly a sizeable advantage to the Australian side at the final whistle.
Sweaty and pleasantly weary bodies retraced the three minute walk back to the hotel for our debrief and much needed dinner. Needless to say the liquid nitrogen ice cream was certainly a desertalicious highlight!
Tomorrow the tournament begins. We have our training session at midday, followed by the opening ceremony and a late evening match against Japan to get our tournament underway.
Check back soon for a report from the first day of competition!
Till next time, keep smiling :-)