tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31593193352145872992024-03-21T09:25:24.745-07:00Letters Home .... Life of an Amateur AthleteMessages from around the world about the trials and tribulations of an amateur athlete competing with the National Women's Water Polo Team the STINGERS.Bron Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580788299470946638noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159319335214587299.post-45298807482997395662015-10-28T20:56:00.002-07:002015-10-30T11:07:19.902-07:00Olympic Camp #2 (part 2)<style>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">The second half of our
Olympic Camp in Canberra, had us hosting the Japanese National Team for some
training games. While the Japanese are not highly ranked in the water polo
world, they displayed some refreshing attributes. The Japanese goal is
ultimately to prepare for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. We went in knowing
that they weren’t going to be the strongest competitors that we were going to
come up against, but they were going to be fast. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">The combination of
altitude and only playing with 9 players, meant there was going to be plenty of
game time and we were definitely going to be feeling the effects. What I didn’t
expect was the Japanese girls attitude. They not only trained their hearts out,
but showed up to every game ready to play (even though most games had about
10-15 goal difference) and came out firing every quarter of every game. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_TUTeVLwlv-ffK13jNhpLs0hpDuioKz__R3R6XevhAjr6fhyphenhyphenNhMVWPPAFOo9lIjNirfmqwjITi5T6dYprlSmkjdpSqeJ44jx5tCMnbebHEujP69u7o1MnAlODg-hd50rg3vM3YBSVVjc/s1600/team2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_TUTeVLwlv-ffK13jNhpLs0hpDuioKz__R3R6XevhAjr6fhyphenhyphenNhMVWPPAFOo9lIjNirfmqwjITi5T6dYprlSmkjdpSqeJ44jx5tCMnbebHEujP69u7o1MnAlODg-hd50rg3vM3YBSVVjc/s320/team2.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo thanks to AIS Facebook Page</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">With the camp reaching
it’s final days there was anticipation in the air. Selection was up for grabs
on the upcoming tour to Montenegro, Brazil and USA. Which meant the very
important step of checking out some of the sites in Rio, as well as some of the
venues. Getting the lay of the land is helpful in our preparation for the Games
as you can start some visualisation training, plus if we can fit in some site
seeing while we are there, means no distraction while competing at the Games…
especially with family and friends all having a great holiday while you’re
stuck in the most intense and pressure filled experience of your sporting
career (seems fair). </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBGK273N8gJ1XOjxKW9lb4meK3eQbD38aGCl7lir32u2_JYF2pp9I2EWZSAPwszVUirXkMROgkxxU1PailMLvRxPvOpvROaEnUZ8mbL6v7zOATZZ58uxnQUua-MYoZXCPS_gRpJUvn6wV/s1600/team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBGK273N8gJ1XOjxKW9lb4meK3eQbD38aGCl7lir32u2_JYF2pp9I2EWZSAPwszVUirXkMROgkxxU1PailMLvRxPvOpvROaEnUZ8mbL6v7zOATZZ58uxnQUua-MYoZXCPS_gRpJUvn6wV/s320/team.jpg" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo thanks to AIS Facebook Page</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">While it is not the be
all and end all if you miss out on this tour, it is however, an indication of
where you are currently positioned in the team. We will take 15 away out of the
19 players currently involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
the days continue to count down, the stress and pressure for selection continue
to build as we head into the holiday season. As they say, no rest for the
wicked…. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"> To see who made the cut, check out </span><a href="http://www.waterpoloaustralia.com.au/pressure-test-to-put-sting-into-aussie-olympic-campaign/" target="_blank">Water Polo Australia</a> <br />
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"></span></div>
Bron Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580788299470946638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159319335214587299.post-79872162693158568182015-10-22T03:04:00.001-07:002015-10-22T03:04:09.973-07:00Olympic Camp #2: AIS Altitude House
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3PR8Dcy8VXLarPz-wbzadW3rc-rrKpPonSgA4xmBtyYXYGvwnBvWtI6uDm-7LuR2jCUcIIkG2VuGOB2EaRfeE6ZHXOJWz-PQO8Fs7jGHUBmJfItTn_K5QLAPx8zJfN8oZqCZLG-W8qZq/s1600/Colour.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3PR8Dcy8VXLarPz-wbzadW3rc-rrKpPonSgA4xmBtyYXYGvwnBvWtI6uDm-7LuR2jCUcIIkG2VuGOB2EaRfeE6ZHXOJWz-PQO8Fs7jGHUBmJfItTn_K5QLAPx8zJfN8oZqCZLG-W8qZq/s320/Colour.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Altitude House Colouring Time</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US">There is less
then 300 days until the Rio Olympics get under way and the Aussie Stingers and I
are hitting new heights (literally).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After a quick week at home we travelled to the Australian Institute of
Sport in Canberra for our second Olympic Camp. Here we have 12 out of 19 girls
staying in the Altitude House, which is set to simulate living at 2,500m above
sea level. Who would have thought that at 29 years of age I would be sleeping
in a bunk bed in a windowless room for a minimum of 14 hours a day… What kind
of hell is this? The low oxygen environment makes climbing the single flight of
stairs to the apartment feel like a 2-hour fitness session. To say that these 3
weeks are going to be tough is a massive understatement.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEHHgqBQxb8eEOoqLlvo3e1qYg1S_LE2Y55YVkqX9wbPNlLf2qO02kOqKukY4pQW4aSnyxIKESn5cOHUbcSMMW7Q7ItoJgDm8ZoG2a6Ra3MWtEYBgXwLmB1oiHiFh6-zgxG_2u4KSj-LP/s1600/Moon+boots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEHHgqBQxb8eEOoqLlvo3e1qYg1S_LE2Y55YVkqX9wbPNlLf2qO02kOqKukY4pQW4aSnyxIKESn5cOHUbcSMMW7Q7ItoJgDm8ZoG2a6Ra3MWtEYBgXwLmB1oiHiFh6-zgxG_2u4KSj-LP/s400/Moon+boots.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recovery Time with Massage Chairs and Moon Boots</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US">We have 19 girls
vying for only 13 positions and things are getting interesting. The first week
of camp had us run though our paces with swim and strength testing. This
definitely made for a hard first week. Camps based in Canberra have some great advantages,
such as we have the ability to train at the times we want (no 5am starts!), we
have access to the recovery centre (ice baths, massage chairs and moon boots
galore), plus all our support staff are on site, doctors, nutritionists,
physiotherapists, massage therapists, physiologists and psychologists are all
easily accessed to help ensure that both our bodies and minds remain in tiptop
shape and are prepared to embark into one of the hardest and most challenging
training period of our Olympic preparation. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The second half
of this camp we will be hosting the Japanese team for some training games.
While it’s all well and good to train against each other it is nothing compared
to training against another team. Having opposition to train against allows us
to work on any and all combinations within the team. This will give all
athletes the opportunity to make some important steps into cementing their
position in the team. Consistency will be a key attribute needed over the next
10 months as the girls will be fighting for a place in the team every day and
at every session.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOqEsTRoAHzZy_XbfFgT7nqFFLcK_S51jj2FXijMSgE6PFRo2Ta_3mqk52VIAMQhkuZgBEMKuUP2vz_3sc0DE7uGnD0ylJTi1Xb-C0oZHxTcIAHvHnt5-m-jK7rzN_euu_1DGtuWgAjN1/s1600/Lunch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOqEsTRoAHzZy_XbfFgT7nqFFLcK_S51jj2FXijMSgE6PFRo2Ta_3mqk52VIAMQhkuZgBEMKuUP2vz_3sc0DE7uGnD0ylJTi1Xb-C0oZHxTcIAHvHnt5-m-jK7rzN_euu_1DGtuWgAjN1/s320/Lunch.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Escaping the AIS for a Sunday Team Lunch</td></tr>
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</span><br />
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Till next time! </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Bron Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580788299470946638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159319335214587299.post-16583294363435054882015-10-02T18:14:00.000-07:002015-10-02T18:19:21.053-07:00Olympic Camp 1: Sydney<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">It is easy for people to miss all the
elements that go into building an elite athlete and an elite team. Four years
are spent focused solely on a single goal that when all is said and done comes
down to two weeks of the biggest emotional and physical roller-coaster ride you
can ever experience. It’s less than a year out from the Rio Olympic Games and
we are getting down to the business end of things. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhbe35sZP8erMJCSKbJjt1jEUOcypyqsOGa44DkE45Q8Lv9414qWjsGshi2TuUHiTiS-Apy6KUUkNiO1wabNNMW3SBa0qdyK6QedYQtQ6p4a4m_Sd7J0BMLItJ3aQR9LTTWs95EKyNWhF/s1600/IMG_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhbe35sZP8erMJCSKbJjt1jEUOcypyqsOGa44DkE45Q8Lv9414qWjsGshi2TuUHiTiS-Apy6KUUkNiO1wabNNMW3SBa0qdyK6QedYQtQ6p4a4m_Sd7J0BMLItJ3aQR9LTTWs95EKyNWhF/s320/IMG_0003.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Our first Aussie Stingers Olympic Camp was
held over two weeks in Sydney. We were based out at Sydney Olympic Park in
Homebush. It was here that I saw my first ever senior women’s water polo game
when the girls won the Gold at the 2000 Games and one of the reasons why I got
into water polo in the first place. It was great to get a reminder of what and
why I have spent all these hours, days and years working towards. It can be
easy to forgot where it all started</span> and get bogged down it all the hardships
and obstacles that can get in your way.<span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XXTlHcW6bSz54hlpzzlgvosJSqEKlCrT63RCs1KHB6WlqrZNQr6LZ6SH4qP_O2uYYaPGHjkk40bM2U_Pa8RqpNX3s41Wtj1F76dhgmrburWn1xPy2Q6hxOCtEcH8CfhSHO-XhE2XhUGV/s1600/IMG_7933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XXTlHcW6bSz54hlpzzlgvosJSqEKlCrT63RCs1KHB6WlqrZNQr6LZ6SH4qP_O2uYYaPGHjkk40bM2U_Pa8RqpNX3s41Wtj1F76dhgmrburWn1xPy2Q6hxOCtEcH8CfhSHO-XhE2XhUGV/s320/IMG_7933.JPG" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US">After a disappointing forth finish at the
recent World Championships we have a lot of work ahead of us both in and out of
the water. While we first week started off relatively moderate in the water,
due to everyone coming back off a break. The second week kicked up gears in the
pool and out, with plenty of meetings to discuss our plan and the processes we
hope to implement to enable us to play at our absolute best individually and as
a team. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">We have a great bunch of girls involved in
this preparation process, which will be important in the coming months. Living
in each other’s pockets for the next 10 months will be one of the tests the
team will have to face. The honesty and respect that we have for one another will
endeavour to help us wade through the minefield that is team sports. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRsuALvy7dZm2J2Pq5KCTYKAyOAZAnP0wI8IyN_JCOTPl1_lON0T4JyWJLX4Fe6k_qYoDzVeyKYM571SsduyVyYtja17FPa3OOKDW3lpyGF0RGqy7_Uvfa-PDk9NZ8aY5M2ONPzBgCwC5/s1600/IMG_7935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRsuALvy7dZm2J2Pq5KCTYKAyOAZAnP0wI8IyN_JCOTPl1_lON0T4JyWJLX4Fe6k_qYoDzVeyKYM571SsduyVyYtja17FPa3OOKDW3lpyGF0RGqy7_Uvfa-PDk9NZ8aY5M2ONPzBgCwC5/s320/IMG_7935.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">With the first camp done and dusted we are
home for a week and then it’s right back into the thick of it with a three week
camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. </span><br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>#307Days</b></span></h2>
</div>
Bron Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580788299470946638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159319335214587299.post-49036943281816995672015-08-23T21:14:00.001-07:002015-08-23T21:15:19.467-07:00Heart Break and the Road Ahead<style>
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<span lang="EN-US">The second week of the World Championships
was a mix bag. We were lucky to scrape through the quarter finals against
China. China are a team we have played numerous of times over the years and
have also met them in the Beijing and London Olympic Quarter Finals. On all
occasions we have come away with the win, seeing both London and the World
Champs quarters end in penalty shootouts. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Penalty shootouts are very emotionally
charged. Unfortunately it comes down to individual brilliance or an
individual’s mistake. It’s just you and the opposition out in the middle of the
pool. It can either be eerily quite or deafeningly loud. When a team games gets
whittled down to a loss or win on a single individual it can seem outrageously
unfair. A player may have had the best game of there life and an inch too wide,
too narrow, too high or too low can see that player lose the game for the
team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGNHhVaQcKXWzuazCPdtRj1nkUAGZCEyG55ll_JxiG2KVOv8FQ-0c9c_11o4-DMqNHFzh0H-Q3Mck-kPzRtaWBnCQF5S4E1ySR7Hlq2aR_JZfFNpaqRfOtCplcd9jgUeMUpGenktG_BVY/s1600/rio365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGNHhVaQcKXWzuazCPdtRj1nkUAGZCEyG55ll_JxiG2KVOv8FQ-0c9c_11o4-DMqNHFzh0H-Q3Mck-kPzRtaWBnCQF5S4E1ySR7Hlq2aR_JZfFNpaqRfOtCplcd9jgUeMUpGenktG_BVY/s320/rio365.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US">After surviving the quarter we were set to
meet the USA in the semi. While a tough game, poor attacking options left us
lacking in the second half. After facing a disappointing result, our job was
not over. The bronze medal match vs Italy was still looming. Our final match
started off quite well, although we missed some early opportunities. After
trading goals with the Italians for the entire game, the final hooter sounded
and the scores we even. Another penalty shootout… This time we were not so
lucky and unfortunately did not come up with the win. This saw us come away
from the Championships with forth, far from what we were hoping for ourselves. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">So it’s back to the drawing board to both
review and develop our team so we can head into the 2016 Rio Olympics in the
best possible form we can be, ready to fight for the elusive gold medal. </span></div>
Bron Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580788299470946638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159319335214587299.post-48296609324044895982015-08-02T00:18:00.002-07:002015-08-02T00:18:45.581-07:00 The Good, The Bad and The Brave<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been a tough week here in Kazan, Russia. The 16th Fina World Championships have got under way and the Aussie Stingers are primed and ready to go. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhsuwRYhyveXQ-LXDum_iWJuhWA_7Yc2SUlwUBqT18hq71DwEf8t_FwaMTGCUOAtduB9KH0iRTNMQyoKPtTGaLCjEPcKIL-U5bNC5m6TwQCmYrJ7nI4RCC80kKBTwQ7cFP4PtkHoVT61F/s1600/TEAM+-+HUD.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhsuwRYhyveXQ-LXDum_iWJuhWA_7Yc2SUlwUBqT18hq71DwEf8t_FwaMTGCUOAtduB9KH0iRTNMQyoKPtTGaLCjEPcKIL-U5bNC5m6TwQCmYrJ7nI4RCC80kKBTwQ7cFP4PtkHoVT61F/s320/TEAM+-+HUD.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<br />The first week saw us off to a less than perfect start with a close win against Greece (8-7). This was the first game our team finally played together, due to a rocky preparation plagued by injuries and sickness. After a good first quarter, we made some critical errors that kept the game close. In the end we were able to hold on and get away with the win. <br /><br />Our second game vs South Africa (19-1) was a much better game by fair. Although the opposition is admittedly not as strong. Our combinations and communication seemed like it was finally on the same page and working in time. <br /><br />Our third and final round game was our most important as it was the decider between who would be placed first and who would be second in our pool. Which heading into the second week and knockout rounds of the World Championships can be very important. Plus the added bonus of a direct route to the quarter finals if you're placed first. <br /><br />On a more personal note this game was set to be my 300th international game for the Aussie Stingers. Phew! Time seems to have flown, I still remember my very first international game.... 10 years ago I played my first game during a test series vs New Zealand in Canberra to decide the last 3 positions to complete the senior team set to compete at World League and ultimately the World Championships in Montreal in 2005. And as they say the rest is history. <br /><br />Our Netherlands game (8-6) was always going to be tough. We were able to keep the usually high scoring Dutch team to 6 goals, all of which were from extra man. A great effort from the girls. <br /><br />With our round games done and dusted we get a guaranteed quarter final birth and have 3 days before our next game. As we prepare for our next game we have a few hard training sessions and start to knuckle down on our game plan. <br /><br />The second week of world champs can bring about anything. Teams can crumble and teams can rise. Luck will favour the brave. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_eh0SxPJz-XK7I9Hz9bJfavNotFUS1cUFGw39Z39TUTRF8A-HPXflufLexK-6nb_b1hDTKZTpuxvMW8dkRHMPRj4lnoyD38Sb-TfVG8zEBzORVA2N19sv2CBaKFQjtu5atpwOXYXpRZI/s1600/Team-MNE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_eh0SxPJz-XK7I9Hz9bJfavNotFUS1cUFGw39Z39TUTRF8A-HPXflufLexK-6nb_b1hDTKZTpuxvMW8dkRHMPRj4lnoyD38Sb-TfVG8zEBzORVA2N19sv2CBaKFQjtu5atpwOXYXpRZI/s320/Team-MNE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Full Game Reports on both Aussie Stingers and Sharks Plus much much more can be found at <a href="http://www.waterpoloaustralia.com.au/" target="_blank">Water Polo Australia</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Bron Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580788299470946638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159319335214587299.post-39476226887006856712015-06-28T20:38:00.002-07:002015-06-28T20:38:50.268-07:00Guts, Determination and That Lactic Burn.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Silver Medallist, World League Super Finals </span></td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US"></span><span lang="EN-US">One of my favourite aspects of competitive
sport is that it has the ability to test and reveal a person character. And it
doesn’t only test you once, it pushes and prods and continuously throws down
testing your limits. On our recent trip to China I would have to say that it
was one of the most gruelling tests I have been through over the last few years.
Not to say that we have been taking things easy, but this particular tour
really sort to push us to our breaking points. </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">We were in China for three weeks, the first
being a heavy training load week, the second a preparation tournament (Kunshan
Cup) and finishing off the tour with the Fina World League Super Finals. Each
game bought about new challenges, being that this was the first time most of
the squad was together and the first step towards making the World Championship
team to compete in Kazan in July 24<sup>th</sup> to August 9<sup>th</sup>, not
to mention that Olympic Squad selection is just around the corner in September.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">For each game we went in with the mindset
that it needed to be better than the game before. Each time we hit the water we
wanted to be making improvements. Now these improvements didn’t need to be
something out of this world. We just wanted to make the best of every
opportunity we had been given to make the important steps towards bringing our
best to the World Championships. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">The Fina World League Super Finals saw us
playing under strength and under manned. With a few girls coming down with
sickness and others carrying injuries we went into the semi final and grand
final 2 players down. Playing a game with 9 field players, while not ideal is
still possible. Both the semi and final were very heavy games and required all
players to dig deep and give absolutely everything in the tank. While the first
quarter of the gold medal match admittedly was a long way from our best. The
pure guts, determination and down right never give up attitude saw players pull
out all stops, seeing us score 6 goals to 2 over the final three quarters. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Swimming through the burn of lactic acid as
it fills your arms and shoulders, unable to get a full breath of air, legs like
cement and your mind starts to divert to how bad you are feeling instead of
concentrating on the game plan. To be able to overcome these and refocus your
mind of what you have to do and push through everything to get yourself up and
down the pool with someone either on top of you, holding you back or chasing
that person down is not an easy task. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">I was both proud and humbled with the
effort that all the players put in to those two final games. Leaving China
after 3 tough weeks with one Bronze Medal (Kunshan Cup) and one Silver Medal
(Fina World League Super Finals) is not something to sneeze at. While we have
quite a lot of work to do before the World Championships, I'm excited to see
what the girls and myself will be able to achieve when we take on the rest of
the World at the Fina World Championships in Kazan. </span></div>
Bron Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580788299470946638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159319335214587299.post-8133536535096262712015-05-04T04:07:00.001-07:002015-05-04T04:09:23.502-07:00When One Door Closes<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supporting International Guide Dog Day </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After a long hibernation it's time to start getting the wheels of the cyber sphere to start turning again. So what's been happening?<br />
<br />
Quick recap: Over the past two years, I have graduated with a Bachelor of Biomedical Science, as well as completing my Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health, majoring in Emergency and Disaster. I finished up work at the Australian Red Cross Blood Service. I went on a 13 week European and UK adventure (such fun!). Signed up to play professionally for a club in Athens, Greece. I had surgery on my elbow to remove a bone fragment. I relocated to Sydney for the time being. I started and almost finished a new work contract with NSW
Health at Prince of Wales Hospital in Blood Bank. And finally at the
end of this month I will be taking up a nomadic lifestyle and be moving
from place to place over the next 15 months or so for training and
competitions in preparation for 2016 Rio Olympics.<br />
<br />
As the 2015 National league season winds down, preparations for 2015 Fina World Championships start to really ramp up. The next couple of weeks will be filled with trying to get my life all organised before heading overseas for our World Champ campaign. First off, removalist and storage... in hopes of keeping costs down over the next 15 months, I will be foregoing rent and become reliant on the kindness of friends and family to put me up the times I am actually in town, which let's face will be very limited. But this means that once my lease is up at the end of the month I will be packing most of my possessions into storage till post Olympics.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMyKZEneauQtq6EXDFAx4iO5ynqK-Ic0OLOYs1NuBzDKsP_eSniegwWNAmTdAbzG0J1OK7e4N-67g7pIghJhqS9yc5czqO9JrmJHXhJhHO61-lLjKQ6A2M4kGYynhXiGhZGjaEhnSlXPS/s1600/IMG_7081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMyKZEneauQtq6EXDFAx4iO5ynqK-Ic0OLOYs1NuBzDKsP_eSniegwWNAmTdAbzG0J1OK7e4N-67g7pIghJhqS9yc5czqO9JrmJHXhJhHO61-lLjKQ6A2M4kGYynhXiGhZGjaEhnSlXPS/s320/IMG_7081.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks to Chatswood Toyota For hosting us! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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There are no words to describe how much I dislike moving. Packing, labelling, cleaning, it's a never ending cycle, especially when the items in question are heading into long term storage. One does not want their worldly possession to be covered in mildew and mold. So soon it will be another round of packing everything up and shipping it out for safe keeping.<br />
<br />
But it's not all bubble wrap and newspaper on the horizon, this Friday will see out first outfitting of potential Rio Olympians getting sized up for uniform. Which always has a little element of excitement surrounding it. It can be a lengthy process of putting on clothes, taking them off and putting more clothes on, and for those who aren't a fan of long shopping trips this may be a new kind of hell. There is also, however, a little burst of excitement and nerves that remind you that the Games are just around the corner and you're running out of time to prepare for what is to come. Numerous rounds of selection tournaments and camps, some of the most intense training session that will not only test you physically, but also mentally are all just around the corner. The count down has well and truly begun. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH55RKlzIiKbB7ngE5Vlgxtu2ZH1VfnBjxK6-9Kgv_idmK190yq-Vkln4oXFI9OVbanNuxJ-znZkJbcMp-tGF-x60nMmx5ohBgAFMSAi-9tpjyEIGubo8RwNMQC1FwdXsu31_Ty4nlxbp7/s1600/IMG_7085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH55RKlzIiKbB7ngE5Vlgxtu2ZH1VfnBjxK6-9Kgv_idmK190yq-Vkln4oXFI9OVbanNuxJ-znZkJbcMp-tGF-x60nMmx5ohBgAFMSAi-9tpjyEIGubo8RwNMQC1FwdXsu31_Ty4nlxbp7/s320/IMG_7085.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbow chasing </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Bron Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580788299470946638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159319335214587299.post-2196093306787843832014-01-20T16:35:00.000-08:002014-01-20T16:35:03.068-08:00Bring on 2014!<div style="text-align: justify;">
As the new year truly gets under away, it's time to review the past year and work out what my next step. With 2013 being a fairly successful year, silver medalists at the World Championships, graduating with a Bachelor of Biomedical Science and a 11 week Euro/UK holiday to boot. Not too shabby at all. But as January starts nearing its end it's time to start getting back into the swing of things and setting my goals for this 2014. </div>
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Already training has stepped up leaving me with some aching muscles and at times struggling through the sessions. But there is nothing like that feeling of finishing off all the reps in a gym set or pushing yourself through that last lap of the pool. Sometimes you want to just jump out of the pool and celebrate 'Rocky' style... "let's build some hurting bombs"</div>
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So with training under away, our first international game (vs China) is just round the corner. The BHP Billiton aquatic super series in Perth from the 31st of Jan - 2nd of Feb at Challenge stadium. All the information can be found on the website by <a href="http://www.aquaticsuperseries.com.au/default.asp?OrgID=7&menu=160" target="_blank">clicking here.</a></div>
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After this national camp I fly out to Greece for the second round of the Euro League with Olympiacos and then its straight back to Sydney for the first round of National League with the KFC QLD Breakers. Fingers crossed I won't have time to even feel the jet lag as it's such a quick trip. It's going to be a very busy start to February. </div>
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Bron Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580788299470946638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159319335214587299.post-51141024114396215512013-12-04T07:57:00.001-08:002013-12-04T07:57:59.785-08:00First Round of Euro League
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QGh0e4gzWVwaZN55rauiMpAC5gIFeXtU6hrmbWeNKTrhLjbEsDuOEyghO30kWY8NwkwwUGitqGQRxPjz2s1z8EOaiXCRUcPjVg8sZdmcU7NQkmg_p89IY17Yj3YRoxRpG9_UPSpRa9Ht/s1600/IMG_3046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QGh0e4gzWVwaZN55rauiMpAC5gIFeXtU6hrmbWeNKTrhLjbEsDuOEyghO30kWY8NwkwwUGitqGQRxPjz2s1z8EOaiXCRUcPjVg8sZdmcU7NQkmg_p89IY17Yj3YRoxRpG9_UPSpRa9Ht/s320/IMG_3046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Headed
off to Athens to meet up with the Olympiacos team (Greece) to have a week of
hard training before flying out to Hungary. Here in Hungary we spent some time
going over tactics and having training games. Then it was off to Eger for the
first round of Euro League. </div>
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Our
first game was very important, as in order to qualify for the quarterfinals you
have to win a minimum of 2 games out of the 3 games. First up was SKIF
Izmailovo (Russia) the game started out reasonably close. We were able to pull
away a little in the third and fourth quarter, but our mistakes kept them in
the game. In the end we were able to hold them out with a 3 goal win. </div>
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Our
next game was always going to be a tough one, as NGM Firenze (Italy) had also
won their first game. Therefore who ever won this game was going to qualify for
the next round. Our game went goal for goal for three quarters. We were able to
pull away in the forth quarter to a 7-4 lead with 5 minutes to go. However,
some silly mistakes and poor defence allow them to score 4 goals and take the
game. This game was very disappointing as we made a lot of errors and meant that
we had to win against the home team in front of their crowd. </div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our third and final game vs Egri Vizilabda (Hungary) was very stressful
as both teams were in the same position (1 loss, 1 win) and had to win in order
to proceed to the next round. We started well with defending a number of extra
men in the first few minutes and had some very strong attack. However it wasn’t
until the final quarter where we pulled away and sealed the win and our ticket
to the quarterfinals. </span><br />
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Final
standings:</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>NGM
Firenze 6 pts</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Olympiacos
SFP 6pts</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
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Vizilabda 3pts</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>SKIF Izmailovo 3pts</div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.waterpoloworld.com/News/tabid/169/ArticleId/5896/Tough-win-sends-Vouliagmeni-into-quarter-finals-Euro-League-day-4-results.aspx" target="_blank">All Qualification Round results</a>
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Bron Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580788299470946638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159319335214587299.post-66632976374937394462013-11-20T03:47:00.002-08:002013-11-20T03:47:42.490-08:00What's Next?
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<span lang="EN-US">After a silver medal at the World
Championships and a much needed 10 week European and UK holiday. Upon arriving home I
had a brief stint to get over the jet lag before heading back into training.
There is nothing like those first few days of training where everything is a
struggle and you start to wonder why you ever stopped training in the first place.
</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">But lucky for me it only took the first
week before the feel of the water started to come back and only 3 weeks before
I was starting to feel like myself again. Having graduated in June and quitting
my job before World Championship tour it was time for me to start making some decisions about my future. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Did I want to keep playing internationally?
What sort of work did I want to get in to? Essentially I was at a crossroad and
it was time for me to make some choices. I decided that after a great year
playing for the Aussie Stingers I wasn’t ready to retire just yet. And since I was thinking
about some postgraduate study, it made sense</span> to keep playing while (a) I continued to
enjoy it and (b) while my schedule was looking to stay very similar to what it
had been; i.e. work, study, polo.<span lang="EN-US"> </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View in Athens</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US">So with that decision made I took up an offer to play professionally overseas in the LEN trophy for a Greek
club team, which was looking to be approximately a 2 month contract. I was excited to be returning back to Greece where I had played
previously (after the Beijing Olympics). Arriving in Greece on Tuesday where I will
be training in Athens for a week before flying to Hungary for the first round.
After a week in Hungary I fly out to meet up with the Aussie Stingers in Ottawa
for Canada Cup then off Holiday Cup in California. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the Training Pool in Athens</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US">It's great to be back! </span></div>
Bron Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580788299470946638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159319335214587299.post-76663899028693950382013-07-23T12:02:00.001-07:002013-07-23T12:56:22.344-07:00Barcelona Baby<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Aussie Stingers have finally made their way to Barcelona. After a quick week of games and training in Bilbao, northern Spain, we were finally given a rest day after going nonstop for 15 days. Dining this time we visited the Guggenheim Museum, had some fantastic tapas in the 'old town', plus of course some shopping.</div>
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However this short respite did not last long, as soon enough we were back in the pool completing some last minute fitness work before heading into World Champs. Finally we were on our way to Barcelona. Or draw saw us up against New Zealand, China and South Africa in the preliminary rounds. Having played both New Zealand and China in our rounds at World League we had a fair idea of what we were up against. However that did not stop the nerves from creeping in every now and then.</div>
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The forth day of World Champs is coming to a close and we are two games in. Our first game vs New Zealand, saw us look a little rusty at first but we were able to keep our heads and come away with a solid win, 15-4. With our first game done and dusted we started our preparation on our net opponent, China. We new this one was going to be a tough one, as it would essentially decide who would top our group and there for have a better cross over to get into the top 8. </div>
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After a rough start we were down at the first break. However we picked ourselves up and were able to pull away in the second half, with a 10-0 score line. The final score was 14-5. A great effort from all the girls, so proud of everyone. This victory will only be short lived, as we are straight back into preparation for our next game, South Africa.</div>
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A huge thanks to all of our supporters over here in Barcelona, back in Oz and around the world. </div>
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For game reports and info please visit the Water Polo Australia Website</div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;">http://www.australianwaterpolo.com.au/ </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;">Or follow them on twitter (@WaterpoloAus) or Facebook (Water Polo Australia) </span></div>
Bron Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580788299470946638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159319335214587299.post-73002924234988109532013-07-14T13:25:00.001-07:002013-07-14T13:25:51.052-07:00First leg: Hungary <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our journey to the World Championships in Barcelona began on the first of July, as all interstate players made their way to Sydney for a short but intense camp. After some hard training we departed Australia for Hungary on the fourth and after numerous flights and many hours we arrived at our destination without any bags in the early hours of the morning. We awoke the next morning to sunshine and clear skies and off we went to the pool. Luckily for us the pool was a short walk from our rooms. We made do with what gear we had, although there were some burnt shoulders from lack of sunscreen and us still carrying our winter coats.<br /><br />Our luggage finally arrived that afternoon and we could start settling in to our training routine. Hard sessions and some tough work was ahead in this first leg of our tour. Good food and the great location made all the hard work easier and the numerous hours of training became a thing of the past and we started to really cement some of the ground work in our preparation for the big games to come. Although the test game was a disappointing loss, there were some positives to be drawn from it. Things may not have come together yet, however the steps we are taking will see us gaining more and more momentum each day.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span><img src="webkit-fake-url://AEFF41BA-F638-411B-9BC3-F3B9F4684445/imagejpeg" /><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br />It's been highly entertaining getting to know some of the new girls a little better. There have been some interesting quirks popping up here or there and some entertaining conversations. With the sun at our backs we left Hungary behind and ventured off to Spain. Situated on the northern side of Spain, Bilbao is where we will set up camp for the next week with some test matches against Spanish and Italians. Our mens contingent (the Aussie Sharks) have also arrived here for some matches. It will be great to both play and watch some good games before we finally journey south to Barcelona for the main event.<br /><br />Buenas noches </span>Bron Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580788299470946638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159319335214587299.post-11632488342589937202013-06-30T20:31:00.000-07:002013-06-30T20:31:20.788-07:00Barcelona 2013<div style="text-align: justify;">
So after some very busy months finally our preparation for the Fina World Championships Barcelona, will ramp up, as we head off into camp. I have finally sat my last exams for my Bachelor of Biomedical Science degree (fingers crossed they all went well), and have finished up at my job with the Red Cross Blood Service. So now its time to really buckle down and enjoy putting in the hard yards at training. So bring it on! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECP8c1wi1Fo8phVTgqncuH5-QRCIdvquqdd5ZHFRxo43NryDdxlk_yTj7Nu128RQsgWeww5qIF57EgK5GWubTrrYGjTbK01DAxmfGa1fce5C_ibv2vsNsVe8l9yi6KkMU9gdyCPrGc0QL/s600/TEAm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECP8c1wi1Fo8phVTgqncuH5-QRCIdvquqdd5ZHFRxo43NryDdxlk_yTj7Nu128RQsgWeww5qIF57EgK5GWubTrrYGjTbK01DAxmfGa1fce5C_ibv2vsNsVe8l9yi6KkMU9gdyCPrGc0QL/s400/TEAm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This afternoon the team will meet in Sydney to begin a short and intense training camp before flying out to Hungary. It has been a difficult week trying to get ready. Firstly I have had to start planing my holiday for when World Champs finishes up (soo exicited!), secondly I have had the ordeal of trying to work out how to pack for 3 months away, numerous seasons, training and uniform gear (of which we have plenty off, loving the new gear we received from our new sponsors) and casual clothing, all without going over 20kg... a tough ask. </div>
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A disappointing result at the World League Finals in Beijing as a result of inconsistent play saw us drop some important games in penalty shootouts. However, these loses have helped us analyze the areas we need to work on and have helped refocused our training to fix them. Plus plenty of fitness work to maintain the level we want to be at. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5URgCqcCCGIqUa9O2U5re8DkzcVtttXLp7FsPiBIIB9cOqUprb8JBbWgzot4CGHgKMRibwXlyO0gX6xG8qRkALiQkhFv04HHd47RE-vWWxRXYXxrqQaP5_bqK1R_ZTr9AzG3b1ft3ZF0/s600/teamgameWL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5URgCqcCCGIqUa9O2U5re8DkzcVtttXLp7FsPiBIIB9cOqUprb8JBbWgzot4CGHgKMRibwXlyO0gX6xG8qRkALiQkhFv04HHd47RE-vWWxRXYXxrqQaP5_bqK1R_ZTr9AzG3b1ft3ZF0/s400/teamgameWL.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This upcoming tour will see us departing from Sydney to Hungary for about a week, then to Bilbao, Spain and then finally landing in Barcelona for the Fina World Championships. We have a great team heading over, combination of some new girls coming into the team and some of the girls from London Olympic returning. Full team list can be viewed on <a href="http://www.waterpoloaustralia.com.au/news-media/news/news-article/article/2013/june/fina-world-champs-stingers-name-squad/" target="_blank">Water Polo Australia Website</a> </div>
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Adiós</div>
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Bron Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580788299470946638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159319335214587299.post-19014170769883327882013-01-19T22:20:00.000-08:002013-01-19T22:28:53.874-08:00BHP Aquatic Super Series<div style="text-align: justify;">
Second week of training done, and what a week it has been. Attending a senior training camp with China was not really what I had in mind when I thought about heading back to training after a long break. The grueling sessions and training games left us feeling a little battered at the end of the week as we headed into the final showdown. The official game as a part of the BHP Aquatic Super Series (BASS).</div>
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The training week consisted of spending around 4 hours in the pool a day plus an hour in the gym every second day. As well as a mixture of video reviews, ice baths, recovery and physio. It can be very limiting on the amount of down time you can scrape together. How I have missed this! </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/CknqBJPMVtw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<u><b>Video: B<span class="userContent">ehind the scenes of the Australia Water Polo teams at the BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series</span></b></u></div>
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With a fairly new squad put together it was fantastic to see some great individual and team play over the week. I was a little nervous to say the least at heading into international competition after only 2 weeks of training. I was unsure if my brain would still work under the pressure, not to mention how my body would hold up. Five months is a long time to be out of the water and out of competition.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUO-h11w-FwHg8V8Xik6mdau7iqUpB2HnZ8Xp4A8EgvZdWlvmt3dkkgqWbhwvi50OqK6RyfoYgxr6hmqfbmaj8vugy0Gn0tm_gPl-3o08n-WDcgy_nJHpdzlvAIKmKWByl6lMPI_6IfhK/s1600/BHP1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUO-h11w-FwHg8V8Xik6mdau7iqUpB2HnZ8Xp4A8EgvZdWlvmt3dkkgqWbhwvi50OqK6RyfoYgxr6hmqfbmaj8vugy0Gn0tm_gPl-3o08n-WDcgy_nJHpdzlvAIKmKWByl6lMPI_6IfhK/s200/BHP1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEFNlLM19ZyD0I9ojrluKqRg3Zi51F1J_ZNt3oi7PPsV4d2OOmyDjiYqLmf12s5t8b9GuDuEPGFh0ehR5_G1Fc2ZvzD9gR5wqa81UULm8PwgjAwxaBtacq1JW_6vVu27Vy-fRPtMc11lu/s1600/BHP2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEFNlLM19ZyD0I9ojrluKqRg3Zi51F1J_ZNt3oi7PPsV4d2OOmyDjiYqLmf12s5t8b9GuDuEPGFh0ehR5_G1Fc2ZvzD9gR5wqa81UULm8PwgjAwxaBtacq1JW_6vVu27Vy-fRPtMc11lu/s200/BHP2.jpg" width="200" /></a>The girls really showed their character in coming out strong at the start of the game. With most of the first quarter turning into a swimming match. We soldiered on and kept battering away at the Chinese defense to be rewarded with some goals. Although the margin was always close, we netted a couple of goals in a row in the final quarter, giving us some breathing room. In the end we won 7-6, a fantastic effort from everyone. <a href="http://www.waterpoloaustralia.com.au/news/article/2013/january/bhp-billiton-aquatic-super-series-stingers-overcome-chinas-late-surge/" target="_blank">Click Here for Match Report</a></div>
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The BASS event was fantastic! It was great to be involved in an event that wasn't solely based around water polo. Getting to know more of the Australian Sporting Community and seeing how other sports prepare and compete. Hopefully for those swimming fans who don't know that much about polo or who haven't seen a live world class international game were able to enjoy either the men's or women's game. Now it's back to QAS (Queensland Academy of Sport) and National League training, with our first National League game not too far away. </div>
Bron Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580788299470946638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159319335214587299.post-88225449890167344772013-01-15T19:46:00.000-08:002013-01-15T19:46:03.946-08:00New Year, New Squad
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With the beginning of a New Year, so sees a new Stingers
squad emerging. With some of our London Olympic team retiring, others taking a break or returning to various work or study commitments, making way for
the next generation of players to make their mark on the international stage.
To start the New Year off the squad heads to Perth to train and play against
the Chinese in the BHP Aquatic Super Series (BASS). With our Olympians
returning to training on the 7<sup>th</sup> of January it’s going to be a tough
week of training and playing. The week caps off with an Official Game on Friday
18<sup>th</sup> at Challenge Stadium. </div>
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So after a fantastic 5-month break it’s great to head
straight back into the swing of things. Although the DOMS (delayed onset muscle
soreness) is a killer, it seems to be easing off as the week’s progress. It's be great training with Glencora, Ziggy and Victoria during this week, with Holly to arrive tonight. </div>
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With the <a href="http://www.aquaticsuperseries.com.au/" target="_blank">BHP Aquatic Super Series</a> starting 18th and continuing to the 20th, with a number of swimming events, the Aussies Sharks playing Croatia and our game vs China. Should be a good game against our Olympic quarter final opponents, where our game went into extra time and penalty shootout. </div>
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<a href="http://www.aquaticsuperseries.com.au/page/Tickets-x-7-7-34.html" target="_blank">Tickets Available Here</a> <br />
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Bron Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580788299470946638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159319335214587299.post-87113093849342981492012-11-30T19:25:00.000-08:002012-11-30T19:25:18.150-08:00 Normal Life?<div style="text-align: justify;">
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So it's now been over 3 months since the Olympics ended and the time has just flown by. I have been back working at ARCBS (Australia Red Cross Blood Service), I have been on not only 1 but 2 holidays (Spent October in the USA and traveled to Brazil for a week to play some polo in November). It's definitely been a couple of flat out months. I had a fantastic holiday in the States. I realized it was the first time I have been on a holiday in about 12 years where I haven't had to do any training or games. It was an absolute blast. Yes I did venture over all by my lonesome. But I was able to catch up with some great friends along the way. Plus all the people you get to meet.</div>
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Then out of the blue I got an offer from Brazil to come and play in there national club titles. Let's face it I needed all of 2 seconds to think about it before I said yes. The hardest part was getting the time off from work having just been away. However, again the ARCBS stepped up and gave me the 10 days off. Lucky for me I have a friend from Brazil who I met while I was attending Hartwick and who I was going to crash with during my time there. So I made the 30plus hour trek over to South America really excited about what I was going to experience there having never really ventured past northern Mexico. </div>
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I had a blast!!! The girls were extremely friendly and welcoming. I was a little apprehensive having not trained since the Bronze medal game in London, but after the first game it was just like old times. Perhaps physically a little slower and weaker.... I enjoyed my Brazilian experience immensely and a hoping to get a invited next year and possibly be able to swing a couple more days into the trip. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Training Pool in Brazil.... beautiful! </td></tr>
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Now it's the 1st of December and I'm back at work and heading into the festive season. Although I have been doing some light activity most days I am really enjoying not being on a strict training schedule and having the flexibility to fit in exercising around my life, rather than the other way around. I have also had time to consider my options and with returning to university for my final semester I have had to consider what is next for me within sport. Is it time to retire? Hang up my cozzies and cap for good?</div>
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But alas I don't think I am quite there yet. I have committed myself to another 7-ish months of training with the national team in hopes of making the 2013 World Championship team headed for Barcelona in July. It will be tough with a number of girls returning and the younger generations chasing our tails. But I am excited to continue to play as long as I am still finding the enjoyment in the challenge of the game. </div>
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So it's back to National League and National team come January 2013. Definitely going to enjoy this last month of complete freedom before having to buckle down for the hard yards ahead. Fitness testing is just around the corner...</div>
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Bron Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580788299470946638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159319335214587299.post-79611029216738538452012-09-18T01:27:00.002-07:002012-09-18T01:27:26.041-07:00Since London<br />
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So since London things have been
very very hectic. We had the Welcome Home Parades, where Jane Moran, Jess Fox
and Myself attended every city on the tour. And what a tour! Each city put on a
spectacular show! A huge THANK YOU to everyone who was involved with the
organisation of the events and everyone who came out to welcome us back. I had
such a great time meeting new people and making some great new friends.</div>
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Now it’s back to reality. Started
back at work (Australian Red Cross Blood Service) after 8 months of leave
without pay and it’s great to be back. All the staff have been fantastic with
helping me get back into the swing of things. It’s like I never left. I have
also been visiting some schools and chatting to the students about my
experience at the Games. Plus the Bronze medal definitely gets me some bonus
points. </div>
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But work aside; I have been planning
my trip overseas to the USA. I am heading back to my college, as I have the
tremendous honour of being inducted into the Hartwick College Athletic Hall of
Fame. I am very excited to head back for the visit. I am staying over in the
States until the end of October, touring from New York down the East Coast
towards Miami.</div>
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I have also moved in with an old
friend, as she recently bought this amazing house that funnily enough her
parents owned about 20 years ago. Moving has both its ups and downs. Perfect
time for a massive spring-clean, but horrible for my allergies and such a
hassle to organising, pack and then unpack. I finally unpacked the last box
about 5 days ago and have started to settle in to the new place.</div>
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Bron Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580788299470946638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159319335214587299.post-37797988756527036522012-08-17T00:11:00.001-07:002012-08-17T00:11:23.667-07:00Been a bit slack....<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sorry to all who have been checking for updates.... got a little busy. But hopefully you all could catch a glimpse or two of our games or at least the results. So closest games I have played in, headed into extra time in the Quarters, Semis and Final.... gee talk about a heart stopper. </div>
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But as you all may already know, we came away with the Bronze!!! Great result! Although not what we went for. But how can you not be happy with that. Not every comes away with an Olympic Medal. </div>
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A massive THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me over the last year, plus all of you who have followed by journey from the very beginning in 2000. 12 years of blood, swear, tears and hard work. Not sure where I am heading to from here, but am planning to enjoy my time off. To the Australian Red Cross Blood Service for all the time off, it's fantastic to be apart of an amazing company! To Griffith University for all there support and time off of the last few years. To the QAS, AIS and VIS thanks for everything you have provided me in regards to training and staff, fantastic work! </div>
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With the parades next week and no uni until next year I am really looking forward to enjoying the next few months.</div>
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Bron Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580788299470946638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159319335214587299.post-41346982978132342352012-08-04T09:23:00.002-07:002012-08-04T09:25:42.842-07:00Quarter Final Time<div style="text-align: justify;">
Wow, the last few days have been hectic! Lots of training, meetings and games, we haven't had a lot of down time. But it seems things are paying off with finishing top of our pool and will be playing China in our quarter final. Seems like deja vu, as we played China in the quarter finals in Beijing. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wOh1odrrU8NgkRcZgjk8RdtCeyHnA24BPFhhvKT7WNAzw5q3EDLXg_OykJTVI53mKvNRip2de66LTrsuuEwYZtKwd_zy-_7xdbXisaWeyw7ElMyFk14PcNW_4xLexddWjkciv-S2NrOe/s1600/311556_465942543425311_743063847_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a>Over the last few days we were lucky to get a sighting of some of the Royal family (Will, Harry and Kate). Even managed to get a happy snap with some of the girls and Will. </div>
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It's been great having a massive support team behind us during the games. Loads of green and gold in the stands as well as plenty of polo caps and crazy wigs, great to see. But now the real games begin, where one loss or bad quarter will see you miss out on a chance for a medal. So we are back and working hard on our mistakes in previous games so we aren't making the same ones. Working on all the little things. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0o_a0zw_ftdoHjWxM5upKQHFSfAUv6rahR_3CJmoFIZAMRtC4aclGobd0OJLN6GiZa_JXI3fA8XTs-RN-Hy7vp55xRiU5PhG0gpsyzTnREKT5prn06jYAJ_E_mAK8IqwgXkn_6Jce6y1T/s1600/373950_10150944607755796_301118733_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0o_a0zw_ftdoHjWxM5upKQHFSfAUv6rahR_3CJmoFIZAMRtC4aclGobd0OJLN6GiZa_JXI3fA8XTs-RN-Hy7vp55xRiU5PhG0gpsyzTnREKT5prn06jYAJ_E_mAK8IqwgXkn_6Jce6y1T/s320/373950_10150944607755796_301118733_n.jpg" width="239" /></a>Tomorrow will definitely get the nerves going.... Swim off to commence at 4:10 London time. Just a quick shout out to all of you who are up at all hours of the night to watch us play. Can definitely feel the support coming through the email, texts, facebook and tweets. </div>Bron Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580788299470946638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159319335214587299.post-45547446757683874502012-07-31T08:35:00.000-07:002012-07-31T08:35:24.731-07:00Our first Game<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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With the London Games well and truly underway we have been very busy preparing for our first game against the Italians. Like us, the Aussie Sharks also drew the Italians as their first game. We were lucky enough to be able to take the time to head out to support the boys. Which was great for us as we were able to take in the venue, the size of the crowd and be able to get a feel of what our games may be like. The boys fought well but were unlucky to go down 8-5 in the end. </div>
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After watching the boys game you could see a number of our first timers starting to feel the nerves. We had 24hrs until our game, 2 training session and 1 tactical meeting. We were almost there. There was excitement in the air as we knew all our friends and family would be there or watching back home and we had spent hours upon hours preparing for this game and were raring to play.<br />
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We left the Village and headed to the pool. Here we proceeded with our usual warm up and we were starting to get back into our usual routine. The nerves were at an all time high during the line up. But our team was prepared for this and we were itching to get the game started. We came out well with a 4-1 lead early. But with a few defensive errors it saw us level with the Italians at half time.<br />
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We stepped up our game and came out strong in the 3rd quarter with 4 unanswered goals (8-4). The last quarter saw the Italians throw in everything but we came away with the win at 10-8. It was a great team game, lots of good team goals. Looking forward to our next game against the hosts, Great Britain. So back to more training and video sessions.<br />
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Needless to say that our down time is mostly spent in front of the TV watching our fellow Aussies compete. Including some of the second half of the Kookaburras game where they smashed South Africa, the heart breaking loss of the Opals to France in over time, plus plenty of swimming and diving!! <br />
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Thanks to all the support coming across the sea from Australia, as well as all the supporters in the crowd.... You're fantastic!! Keep it up! </div>Bron Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580788299470946638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159319335214587299.post-10453389492009850242012-07-27T10:29:00.002-07:002012-07-27T10:29:25.493-07:00Selfie Expert Holly!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT9RrCVwRhAXAJZ_4OAZe_PVnPHtnaiHSMpR9hd8ybAMxx_FOr79MYeySdMc_IjgbdGkAg3Df1H2fDkrsPijO1C8W8pVnkAsVhriLjcD7VhsjtwkZ1YEH9RQJp6jfO7n87x1oGGne0MK2B/s1600/Me+and+Hol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT9RrCVwRhAXAJZ_4OAZe_PVnPHtnaiHSMpR9hd8ybAMxx_FOr79MYeySdMc_IjgbdGkAg3Df1H2fDkrsPijO1C8W8pVnkAsVhriLjcD7VhsjtwkZ1YEH9RQJp6jfO7n87x1oGGne0MK2B/s400/Me+and+Hol.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie taken by Holly.... Love it!!!</td></tr>
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<br />Bron Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580788299470946638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159319335214587299.post-37639484445487678132012-07-27T07:16:00.002-07:002012-07-27T07:16:52.796-07:00Never a dull moment<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkL2H4IU_D7eXEsJtDpBmHCsgCM48Hqmhatzspq312_PEbD5cM34JwM-J5r-39S2iXN4qfaeiJVLWS_1gNgdP6dObl9RphRVcFA9q97ke7xL30aXlYFKs-W_lZVm7h5rTKPnmlMl6DpAS7/s1600/TR4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkL2H4IU_D7eXEsJtDpBmHCsgCM48Hqmhatzspq312_PEbD5cM34JwM-J5r-39S2iXN4qfaeiJVLWS_1gNgdP6dObl9RphRVcFA9q97ke7xL30aXlYFKs-W_lZVm7h5rTKPnmlMl6DpAS7/s200/TR4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80gvRQ5y0hrhqx_8JoA6oi4t_eoiTdT52HTm6C1eR_fs5OKc2qaD-mLieTmDLK6K_aKk7liNnK5BskkvPPgbK_LWgaK16R3hv3iWTmpMqdtcX__6VrxWcpdMwDOZgH76AOkSqVYdXzNw4/s1600/IMG_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80gvRQ5y0hrhqx_8JoA6oi4t_eoiTdT52HTm6C1eR_fs5OKc2qaD-mLieTmDLK6K_aKk7liNnK5BskkvPPgbK_LWgaK16R3hv3iWTmpMqdtcX__6VrxWcpdMwDOZgH76AOkSqVYdXzNw4/s200/IMG_0231.JPG" width="200" /></a>Phew, the last few days have really flown by. Yesterday we had 2 training session, the official flag raising ceremony plus the Aussie Team Reception. All of which were very exciting. As not only are we apart of the Stingers we are also apart of the Australian Olympic Team in its entirety. The British put on a superb performance, lots of theatrics. We then headed to dinner and I got to sit down and have a chat with Laurie Lawrence and Chris Fydler. After dinner we headed to the team reception, hosted at the the Stratford City Westfield's. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXuOr2ozMIZCuIdwC8U69tV1yqiBv8q3RI45l__gZZiFInInogUvgbjOAG6EatKqd6gRyRBzWdTMxdQqsWDXFuGc-0c9A1XCj34PvAKd6PgBU3PE_530nSos52Vub_NweKcnmUjvU6HjB/s1600/Reception+frame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXuOr2ozMIZCuIdwC8U69tV1yqiBv8q3RI45l__gZZiFInInogUvgbjOAG6EatKqd6gRyRBzWdTMxdQqsWDXFuGc-0c9A1XCj34PvAKd6PgBU3PE_530nSos52Vub_NweKcnmUjvU6HjB/s320/Reception+frame.jpg" width="320" /></a>With a massive entrance to Waltzing Matilda with some Aussie fans screaming, and into the reception room. What an entrance!!! Here all the team will gather for the announcement of the flag bearer. Here we got to chat with the likes of Geoff Huegill, Grant Hackett, Dawn Fraser, Rove Mcmanus, Giaan Rooney, Melinda Gainsford-Taylor, James Tomkins, John Farnham plus many many more. And, or course, dance to some of Johnie's classics. Lauren Jackson was announced as the 2012 Aussie Flag bearer, a well deserved honour. Also got to catch up with some of the past w.polo Olympians, Suzie Fraser, Amy Hetzel and Deb Watson. An amazing night, probably my favourite event at the Games! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitr7oX-cq8TQmQOThWEw9AeS-IAPeI98TbNokrk85VnsfIFXl-n0oc9HABNlwbH-VPSWXp0DYrtZEp_nJOqdlufj8mCJyc7OaF5HhECWpDlm35lzbntgpPkXLpor9Gl1fgn08htlcxl7fj/s1600/Photo+shoot+frame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitr7oX-cq8TQmQOThWEw9AeS-IAPeI98TbNokrk85VnsfIFXl-n0oc9HABNlwbH-VPSWXp0DYrtZEp_nJOqdlufj8mCJyc7OaF5HhECWpDlm35lzbntgpPkXLpor9Gl1fgn08htlcxl7fj/s320/Photo+shoot+frame.jpg" width="320" /></a>Today is Opening Ceremony day..... fingers crossed the weather holds and we can walk. This morning we headed out early to catch the underground into the city to the Churchill War Rooms. Here we had some team photos in our cozzies... yeek! Got a lot of public attention, photos and had a ball. Plus one of our goalies, Macca, got to finally reunite with her partner after he finished his 6 month tour with the Navy. It is also our other goalie Veeb's birthday today... Happy Birthday Veebs!!! We got to sing and have cake in the Village dining hall. Never a dull moment. Photos should be out later this week... </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Arrivederci Varese… Allo’ London </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZqRQ5_gyPAVXaWS88UGAq17JYhhascMaRAwkHs5CtSpwyq3Nn_ISTmYsKe-2VDYbBF-4CrpZqRAOilMlDRCXPtA0ZLB52ddAEeqJpG0pMesG3rfC-ke6_ZAfIbqejHqBATXcoYqijUVy/s1600/IMG_0184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZqRQ5_gyPAVXaWS88UGAq17JYhhascMaRAwkHs5CtSpwyq3Nn_ISTmYsKe-2VDYbBF-4CrpZqRAOilMlDRCXPtA0ZLB52ddAEeqJpG0pMesG3rfC-ke6_ZAfIbqejHqBATXcoYqijUVy/s200/IMG_0184.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAt3ZKZ_ttXPcWCPUisR_UDUga5o1hQFvooXQRfliduWIUtPvRaAAeSdbhnCKq7Jjnzze4DHMkjg1hotRE4BhnfEvypGAeG-XiAwXGfs7aZPUccebafHmOtKx8QYZrZIATCd58lEspNB4-/s1600/IMG_0161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAt3ZKZ_ttXPcWCPUisR_UDUga5o1hQFvooXQRfliduWIUtPvRaAAeSdbhnCKq7Jjnzze4DHMkjg1hotRE4BhnfEvypGAeG-XiAwXGfs7aZPUccebafHmOtKx8QYZrZIATCd58lEspNB4-/s200/IMG_0161.JPG" width="150" /></a>In our final week of preparation before heading off to
London we were really cracking down on our tactics with video sessions and game
analysis plus making sure our physical fitness was in tiptop shape. We also got
some timeout on one of the days for a team outing to Lago Maggiore. It just so happened that we picked up a hitchhiker on the way and it turned out to be none other than Steve Waugh. With our entire team in tow plus Mr Waugh we were ready to brave the precarious 'bucket' on a wire to reach to top of the mountain. Luckily only a few of us were not good with heights. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEwX1ObGyGCxWVyCg8Rt6syCFVcfVEi9BMScQy_qzHXLZ0za-HZY2sBvxCyrN7ERQ9RBj-IrdB-be4ym7XMMPdbXzWVZywTi-TjRnnhtvOiVFoDxz-s8sC1dVSD_QAh9Z_GjTKg62azc7/s1600/Mountain+group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEwX1ObGyGCxWVyCg8Rt6syCFVcfVEi9BMScQy_qzHXLZ0za-HZY2sBvxCyrN7ERQ9RBj-IrdB-be4ym7XMMPdbXzWVZywTi-TjRnnhtvOiVFoDxz-s8sC1dVSD_QAh9Z_GjTKg62azc7/s320/Mountain+group.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Thanks Miss Lincoln-Smith for completely blocking me, hoping someone has a better copy... </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63lh7Yv3wEK94wq_-Nmp3lkLRcvsK-a1UmzXczPwKou4iVBmhyphenhyphenIwwdxCKTBG_DTp_WWSw-NeZOWsA9SiWevLrYJzl4tCNF5TkhPLVZROYUj-bcPoRXIE6P0HJp8pqhkn1JZ48L98ppCGm/s1600/Varese+Team+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63lh7Yv3wEK94wq_-Nmp3lkLRcvsK-a1UmzXczPwKou4iVBmhyphenhyphenIwwdxCKTBG_DTp_WWSw-NeZOWsA9SiWevLrYJzl4tCNF5TkhPLVZROYUj-bcPoRXIE6P0HJp8pqhkn1JZ48L98ppCGm/s320/Varese+Team+.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Upon our arrival at the top we were greeted with phenomenal views. It was here that we got down to the nitty and gritty that make up our team, and with declarations from the heart we were finally prepared for the road we will have to journey down to Olympic glory. Steve added some inspiring words and imparted some of his much valued knowledge. Finally with our last training session done, a 2 and a half hour hell session, we were very excited to head off to London. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfWqPLj9qVGUMI8_ykkvRRmnkFe86-TxauOVSQI4kk5uBTMMgU6GPBnnzVVyGgiyu9P9K2cIvKKnNqEQHhUkoZtwXj0Fx5YEHyyqV4hglkGM4zidpWWpjWAk93G0CCLwY0igPmEGQZnE2/s1600/Me+and+zig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfWqPLj9qVGUMI8_ykkvRRmnkFe86-TxauOVSQI4kk5uBTMMgU6GPBnnzVVyGgiyu9P9K2cIvKKnNqEQHhUkoZtwXj0Fx5YEHyyqV4hglkGM4zidpWWpjWAk93G0CCLwY0igPmEGQZnE2/s200/Me+and+zig.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNfuILQ-w-7eq4luS5_gNL0yJQxOoQcwfY4rrH26RzL7SfwV_2tK0JGxMsHm_CCDfv_BMNuKD2A8HIcXrX_HPh80QcwEKuwQFwu71xylrV8PDjO_On8WYQ3Zi39lyvUzKpdsPvwm7byos/s1600/2012-07-24+19.09.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNfuILQ-w-7eq4luS5_gNL0yJQxOoQcwfY4rrH26RzL7SfwV_2tK0JGxMsHm_CCDfv_BMNuKD2A8HIcXrX_HPh80QcwEKuwQFwu71xylrV8PDjO_On8WYQ3Zi39lyvUzKpdsPvwm7byos/s200/2012-07-24+19.09.42.jpg" width="200" /></a> Arrived in the Village around midnight and were up the next day at 7am as we had uniform fittings, a little media, training and our induction and welcome meetings. It just so happend that Hamish and Andy were visiting the village in preparation for the channel 9 coverage and sat in on our induction done by Laurie Lawrence and Nick Green, with Steve Waugh, John Eales, Layne Beachley and Kieren Perkins all in attendance. With a few jokes here or there courtesy of the boys, it was a very inspiring and touching induction. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQI2XfTRzRSzP7fsounPY23jnznxYFyBioy6xYAPhYYvSKg-Jc8TMX34DThHKlSv45orJjpZZn1kgDgxzgUKS-zPZuNtgHFpJj4S1p3cYMFh5gitLMITQ6a4ZLYbllonBRW0nG6NNL3Fg/s1600/20120724Olympics-157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQI2XfTRzRSzP7fsounPY23jnznxYFyBioy6xYAPhYYvSKg-Jc8TMX34DThHKlSv45orJjpZZn1kgDgxzgUKS-zPZuNtgHFpJj4S1p3cYMFh5gitLMITQ6a4ZLYbllonBRW0nG6NNL3Fg/s400/20120724Olympics-157.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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Today we are finally setting into a routine and I am very much looking forward to the flag raising ceremony and the team reception. Fingers crossed the weather stays good and we are able to walk in the opening ceremony. Thanks for all the best wishes!!! I am hoping to have some sort of update every second day. </div>
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*** Thanks for the photos team, p.s. keep em coming! ***</div>Bron Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580788299470946638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159319335214587299.post-31108931641311382952012-07-16T01:42:00.001-07:002012-07-16T01:42:13.830-07:00Varese Week One<div style="text-align: justify;">
One week down.... One week to go.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtfzj18kErPaU5N4n6wtJIvsZwiBA-FhDusiPFMt_LiYFxPX-LYRFgzlvQBJ5htD9ygHOsPxGFgemudVC3Wf1zeC2ISVtxfPOkHJMEegPjoWAZ6eMSpyXJ0TZWn9yVHe4cL5U7vjUf7Xz/s1600/Varese2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtfzj18kErPaU5N4n6wtJIvsZwiBA-FhDusiPFMt_LiYFxPX-LYRFgzlvQBJ5htD9ygHOsPxGFgemudVC3Wf1zeC2ISVtxfPOkHJMEegPjoWAZ6eMSpyXJ0TZWn9yVHe4cL5U7vjUf7Xz/s200/Varese2.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span id="goog_1881478754"></span><span id="goog_1881478755"></span>Our first week in Varese has seen us battered and bruised. Our sessions have been extremely hard, with little down time during the day. Blue skies and good weather has helped us keep a positive attitude. We have also had the opportunity to catch up with some other sports (such as rowing, sailing and canoe/kayak) to see where they are in their preparation and how everything is going. The ETC ('European Training Center) set up and run by the AIS is fantastic. This training center offers us gym, recovery and treatment facilities, as well as the much needed WiFi. Not to mention its gorgeous lake side location. </div>
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We were lucky to arrive in time to be able to attend a presentation at the ETC. Michael Groom completed the "big five" (five highest mountains in the world) without the assistance of oxygen in 1999. Four of which he climbed without the front third of both feet. Very inspiring and unbelievable achievements! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWXNv6oUTbd49mhSob_94TG5b2bbJ-xCM0sEuAYdCdBTLscNyXdaYV9jbNyjxiS2xj1S7U3x_BjRcoIH7iPyo48Jmf_0hWrRgHb-ls2NuedWvOWUZbWY0b6cQcalfHZAwFHklUDKu9hEG/s1600/varese3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWXNv6oUTbd49mhSob_94TG5b2bbJ-xCM0sEuAYdCdBTLscNyXdaYV9jbNyjxiS2xj1S7U3x_BjRcoIH7iPyo48Jmf_0hWrRgHb-ls2NuedWvOWUZbWY0b6cQcalfHZAwFHklUDKu9hEG/s200/varese3.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Training Pool on the upper right of the park map</td></tr>
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With many sessions leaving us crawling out of the pool totally exhausted we welcomed our day off on Sunday (15th). This gave us the opportunity to take in some rays and satisfy our various shopping addictions in town. Perhaps a coffee or gelati was on the menu as well. Varese is situated 55km north of Milan, with a collection of lakes and snow capped mountains separating Italy and Switzerland. Cobbled stone streets and colourful building in the city center, provided the perfect back drop for our rest day. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVn5nNKeRq0zgRJojYrknuuEIr9896xil9dufUijZSeJmuENypB2PqEmhlNy_CPmnQV4A9Fpk2wZ31vx6d7qy0Z3x9o1fosS0pF_hZ6NK3Jjrv63bxoBVRD7y0Q8P5OG681Sw6T2CrWCL8/s1600/Varese+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVn5nNKeRq0zgRJojYrknuuEIr9896xil9dufUijZSeJmuENypB2PqEmhlNy_CPmnQV4A9Fpk2wZ31vx6d7qy0Z3x9o1fosS0pF_hZ6NK3Jjrv63bxoBVRD7y0Q8P5OG681Sw6T2CrWCL8/s320/Varese+1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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But all good things must come to an end. Monday is here and its right back into another hard week of training. It will be our last week before flying off to London. </div>
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<br />Bron Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580788299470946638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3159319335214587299.post-68013510903207608712012-07-10T01:30:00.001-07:002012-07-10T01:30:49.081-07:00Can You Feel The Heat<style>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-e177u6JCBI_C9utuodniA2O9UYWHIPbbRIRr2Th9c29WerMbP-pLaGG8j5gYwwf3TlvvLAP6f1U-8UsA29lvRqmLg1a1d10V9xPoT8Zy_zgktFpq4ejdgpfpGQWr3eJEzdBm5TkWr-HH/s1600/IMG_0145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-e177u6JCBI_C9utuodniA2O9UYWHIPbbRIRr2Th9c29WerMbP-pLaGG8j5gYwwf3TlvvLAP6f1U-8UsA29lvRqmLg1a1d10V9xPoT8Zy_zgktFpq4ejdgpfpGQWr3eJEzdBm5TkWr-HH/s320/IMG_0145.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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First stop on our road to London sees us landing in Tivat,
Montenegro after an excessive amount of traveling. Singapore to Frankfurt to
Belgrade to Tivat, with a 8 hour stopover in Frankfurt. There’s nothing like
setting up a trolley bag camp in the middle of a busy airport. Upon finally
landing in Tivat we were welcome by a gust of hot air and a setting sun over the
majestic landscape. After spending 3 weeks in China and 2 weeks in freezing
Canberra this was a welcome backdrop to our upcoming training camp. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoRVH999elt77XQoEKaF3amcJdqURtlcZKSU73rUAzCVyqF4XEhak7hnHFvuO0ruvnrSeshJ6Ptsa-Ty7unWigV4WnKstqdbV54KNFbucijg4pgEcx-gvsbe1iUxMvwnDzc0WzsCeGIRU/s1600/MONTgame.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoRVH999elt77XQoEKaF3amcJdqURtlcZKSU73rUAzCVyqF4XEhak7hnHFvuO0ruvnrSeshJ6Ptsa-Ty7unWigV4WnKstqdbV54KNFbucijg4pgEcx-gvsbe1iUxMvwnDzc0WzsCeGIRU/s200/MONTgame.jpeg" width="200" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>With the
mercury getting up well into the late 30’s it was needless to say we were very
glad to be staying by the water. With everything at our fingertips we headed
into a hard week of training, which included 3 training games against a junior
Montenegro boys team. Needless to say these boys definitely gave us a run for
our money. The games were fast paced they weren’t backing down, but then
neither were we. During this week we had one day to take part in the tourist
side of things, with only weights to be completed that morning. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfKjMCjNSH9iJOb2PUyK1LK3o0n2i1sI66cdcVg-Fdf5yM-F19SlHrj3zFqyvYcx6I6CSwHi5wU-sE9IGCtzJMDoo0RcXjNmKE6IGAkzBqEb5vrhssz5HvpZdoeTXGwgoce0QNmF5Jeo5/s1600/tivat+boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfKjMCjNSH9iJOb2PUyK1LK3o0n2i1sI66cdcVg-Fdf5yM-F19SlHrj3zFqyvYcx6I6CSwHi5wU-sE9IGCtzJMDoo0RcXjNmKE6IGAkzBqEb5vrhssz5HvpZdoeTXGwgoce0QNmF5Jeo5/s200/tivat+boat.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBWB21xkglslVn5HX0lOrm3wB2fB464cnr6-kZWgaOGGiBcS8GH_ShbdLemBxDT4VuJo1yYXFtwOPB8DsvGyeiYo_xrutESpDewfIahqJAIrATyhTUHlkfQZfdlfKFUXRUm7X7sm6csQc/s1600/boat.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBWB21xkglslVn5HX0lOrm3wB2fB464cnr6-kZWgaOGGiBcS8GH_ShbdLemBxDT4VuJo1yYXFtwOPB8DsvGyeiYo_xrutESpDewfIahqJAIrATyhTUHlkfQZfdlfKFUXRUm7X7sm6csQc/s200/boat.jpeg" width="200" /></a>A boat tour was organised, which included trips to places
like the Blue Grotto and the Kanli Kula fortress just to name a few (pic of map). While
stocking up on vitamin D we were able to relax and have some fun including a relaxing
dip in the Adriatic Sea. The water was warm and a beautiful clear blue.
Absolutely amazing! From 9am till 8pm we were out in the 38 degree heat doing
the ‘tourist’ thing, enjoying what Montenegro had to offer. But at the end of
the day we were all worn out and ready for some zzzz’s. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTl2nws8fFPcX1Jea3Dj6pouX1e4FpIgVmtybxdKv-a1J3_XlMejMZ574V1JnIHSeZdSvk5HXkv5k6BxgzwTdNGUPsc-28SqTxc5yFt5woK2roUFOTNmX-9DCGQ-b__Gke9cKavoy_uL7/s1600/Blue.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTl2nws8fFPcX1Jea3Dj6pouX1e4FpIgVmtybxdKv-a1J3_XlMejMZ574V1JnIHSeZdSvk5HXkv5k6BxgzwTdNGUPsc-28SqTxc5yFt5woK2roUFOTNmX-9DCGQ-b__Gke9cKavoy_uL7/s320/Blue.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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More days of hard training, clear skies and scorching heat
followed. But none of us were complaining, as majority of our tours don’t find
us staying on the water in a ‘resort’ type village. We were living it up. The
week came to an end, we packed up all our gear and ventured onwards to Italy,
Verese, inching ever closer to our Olympic destination. </div>
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Thanks for the photos team. </div>Bron Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02580788299470946638noreply@blogger.com0