With the NAB Cup approaching, it's that time of the year when training begins to shift from athletics-based training (repeat 200m, 400m, 1km running etc) to more traditional football training (tackling, skill-work, match play etc). This shift has been slowly occurring over the last few weeks and we’re now at the point where we’re doing a lot of physical and contested training sessions to prepare for the NAB Cup.
In addition to pre-season training, a lot of other things have been going on over the past few weeks, so here is a quick snapshot of what’s been happening around the club:
Coffs Harbour
We feared the storms in Northern NSW would potentially de-rail our training camp to Coffs Harbour in January, but it went ahead as planned. We had a great time up in Coffs and despite all the storms and wet weather, the training facilities at BCU oval were fantastic.
A personal highlight for me was the full team paint ball session on one of the afternoons up in Coffs. The team was divided in two sides, with each team starting at opposite ends of the field.
Despite being separated into two opposing teams, at the end of the day an alarming amount of players complained about being hit in the back, or in the back of the head. It seemed some players realised that it would be much easier to hit an unsuspecting team mate in the back than it would be to hit an enemy hiding in a bunker. (Of course, I wasn’t one of these players!)
We all had a great time and are still waiting for the bruises to heal… some more so than others.
Time off
Post Coffs Harbour, we had a few days off so I headed over to Byron Bay for a short break.
While in Byron, I decided to give stand up paddle boarding a go. In the beginning it all went well. I made my way out the back through the broken waves and the white-wash and was pretty happy with myself. However, things quickly changed when I lost my balance, and smashed myself in the head with my paddle. Despite the embarrassment, I decided to keep trying until I realised that I was bleeding from the head and would likely be attracting any sharks in the area. Sheepishly, I made my way back to shore.
Stand up Paddle Boarding: 1, Ted: 0
Locker renovations
After many years in their original format, our change rooms are now being renovated.
The players are quite excited as the new lockers are going to be slightly bigger than the old ones were. This is great news for me as hopefully it means that my neighbour, number 24 Jude Bolton, and his wet stinky training gear will no longer be placed in or around my locker area.
Right now we’re half way through the process and I’ll provide photos once complete, but below is a photo with the old lockers on the right hand side, and the partially completed lockers on the left hand side of the photo.
Cleo Bachelor of the Year
Every now and then something happens at the footy club and I immediately think, “I don’t think what you’re saying is true… but God I wish it was!” (Note: I think this happens most times I chat with Mitch Morton).
This happened last week when I was told that Nick Smith had been nominated as a contender for the Cleo Bachelor of the Year – and the best part was that it’s true!
The man we call “Smooch” who takes on the best small forwards in the competition each week is now taking on a different type of opponent and he needs your support.
The Brownlow has become a midfielders’ award, the Coleman for the forwards…so help Smooch bring home some silverware for the defenders! Help Smooch win Cleo Bachelor of the Year!
Song of the week
I asked Luke Parker to pick a song for this week and he said “Anything from the musical ‘Mamma Mia’.”
So, I ignored that suggestion and picked the new song by The Strokes, ‘One Way Trigger’.
FebFast
This month I’m doing FebFast. I’m out to raise money to go to programs that help young people and families who are tackling serious alcohol and drug issues.
Please click on the link below, and any donation would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
https://aflfebfast2013.everydayhero.com/au/ted-richards
Ted Richards
@tedrichards25
