Firstly I would like to thank all the helpers that came and assisted me with controlling 23 swimmers over 3 nights. You were all a huge help to me and I could not have organised nor run the camp without you so thank you all very much. The camp ran smoothly with no hiccups. It was fantastic. Every swimmer who attended was very well behaved and all staff at Fremantle Leisure Centre, Point Walter, and the catering company agreed with me that you were fantastic and a great group of kids, the only complaint being “Geez there a noisy bunch!”.
Day one consisted of our first training session at Fremantle and group skits after dinner. During training many faced the challenge of training outdoors so for most we found backstroke was much harder than first anticipated. Come night time group skits were all very entertaining, from this we all gathered that myself as coach love to shout a lot, which I don’t do that much to be honest, and Byron is the class clown having to “check his burning chicken” to get out of core training. Come bed time many thought the 8.30 was way too early and some chatterboxes decided to push the bed time but come 9.30 all were fast asleep ready for their unknown 6am run.
Day two – nice early start, well that is what I thought. Thinking 6am was early enough for the kids to go for a nice run I was completely mistaken. Seems as though half of them were eager to get going at 5.30am! Followed by a morning swim session and flying fox and raft building.. Rafting to the beat of Bananas! Bananas! Bananas!, and Tiffany! Tiffany! Tiffany! We learnt to not only have fun but work together, listen to each other, talk and give our opinions, and once again Tiff loves to shout a lot. Dinner was followed by a swimming quiz night with questions about the olympics, swimmers, commonwealth games, coaches and the Arena Swim Club. Bed time once again was filled with chatter but the swimmers were all dead by 9 after a hectic day.
Day 3 – its’ a Sunday and everyone loves a sleep in. But once again kids were up at 6.30, but were all very quiet until the 7am wake up call. This day was filled with team games, pool games and the low ropes course. Figuring out how to get through the minefield blindfolded by only listening, trying to cross the croc infested swamp with only 3 planks of wood, getting your whole team to swing over the river onto the blocks, how to make a raft out of pool noodles, a race to get the sunken objects, playing volleyball, tennis, soccer or footy, going for walks to the island across the sandbar, and jetty jumping. Watching the kids helping and support each other through these challenges was fantastic to see. Looking at how the older/taller guys help the younger/littler ones was fantastic to see and that is how a team should operate. Sunday was definitely a day full of fun and team work, followed by a nice chilled movie night watching The Pacifier – after Tiff used her great technological skills to sort out the dvd and projector, only took 45mins!
On the final day, I think I speak for everyone when I say it was nice to see mum and dad when they came to pick everyone up. It was interesting to see the new games kids come up with when they have only a tennis ball (silent ball and donkey, being some of them) whilst waiting for their parents. Afternoon training with the HP team was very impressive and once again all the swimmers were very well behaved and trained fantastic.
As a coach, I cannot be any more proud of the Inters Team. I think I speak on behalf of everyone when I say that the Inters camp was an amazing experience. To see the kids in different situations helping each other and supporting each other it was truly magical. Everyone faced new challenges, even myself. Whether it was being afraid of heights, speaking up and having your input into team building, being on camp for the first time, or even staying away from mum and dad for the first time, everyone stepped up to their own challenge and faced it head on. I was very proud of each and every single person and I hope they continue to improve on this experience and apply everything they have learnt to their swimming and training. I am so thankful for everyone who assisted and I hope to be able to do it again next year with a fantastic team.
Tiffany
Photos from the camp are now available here.