Our final training session in De Eendracht was just us, no guest coaches this time. Coach Mark took us through a relaxed and low-key session with more work on movement into space, and a few variations on free passes, before Bevan went through our recovery routine and both talked about expectations and processes during a korfball tournament. So long as we can channel our excitement, we are ready to go, and looking forward to our first game tomorrow, against Brazil.
After free time in the afternoon, and early dinner with our host families, we car-pooled from Nijeveen to Leeuwarden for the tournament opening ceremony. Excitement rose as we motored north through the flat Friesland fields, towards the Kalverdijkje sports centre. As we arrived in the early evening, various other teams were disembarking from their buses, Belgium, Czech Republic, China, Brazil. Reality was upon us: after so many months work, and support from so many people, we were actually here, ready to represent our country, our families, including our new families in Nijeveen, our friends, and ourselves in an international sports tournament. Does it get any better than this? The huge smiles on the NZ players faces, especially Juliet who was brimming with excitement, was proof that regardless of our final placing this tour has already been a great success.
As the teams congregated in the second hall, Mark, Bev and Rob, who have all been to international tournaments before, spotted and caught up with various korfball friends from around the world: a special pleasure that awaits other members of the squad in the future. Then we had a march past into the main hall, where we received a particular welcome, and loud cheer, for coming so far and for being at the tournament for the first time. Kendall and Jared took their turn on media duty, giving an interview to a Friesland radio station. A local dance-gymnastics-acrobatics squad performed an amazing routine, and top Dutch players staged a demonstration of 4Korfball. Boris and Chelsea also featured in a 1v1 competition against these Dutch Korfball stars. Each player competed one on one over 45 seconds, first in attack then the finalists also in defence. We were immensely proud of their showing as the team cheered them on heartily with both Boris and Chelsea making the final, though players from Chinese Taipei won out in both male and female categories in the end. Boris’s Hoogland grandparents were present to see him perform so well. Both Boris and Chelsea were a little apprehensive of having to perform in front of the large crowd but afterwards that nervous tension had been transformed into energetic joy. Both players were on a talkative high and noted it was a “great honour” to represent the team.
Back by car to Nijeveen and bed, we reflected on a terrific show that really raises the anticipation for tomorrow, the first day of the tournament. Wow.
We are advised that there is live streaming of the tournament, available from the official website: www.u19kwc.com
Tot morgen
Rob and Bevan