I learnt that your body-language plays a big part in whatever sport you play, once you put your hands on your knees, hips, head, you’ve just told the opposition that they have done a good job and you’re tired.

Article by: Gezreyal Maiu'u

Sports camp was probably my favourite week in my whole entire life. Getting to do sports all week was remarkable. A highlight from sports camp the semis and finals. I remember waking up on Thursday, pretty nervous for the semis that day hoping I wouldn’t crack under pressure. I remember our tag semis, one of the best games we probably played and that feeling of happiness after. I remember the finals for touch, everyone was stressed and we weren’t playing our best game. I remember the volley finals, everyone watching, everyone screaming and GEIS students chanting. I remember the basketball semis, Mo telling us to give them space at the start of the game and then at half time telling us to get into their face. And saving the best for last, sitting in the quality living room listening/waiting for the announcement for who came first out of us and Mt Maunganui. Then that feeling of us hearing our name not being called for runner up and us jumping and screaming (our celebrating) for coming first, OUR GOAL.

Trainings were intense (sometimes fun.) It was confusing and hard sometimes, but that’s what you have to go through to get better at the sport (especially basketball.) There were times during the 2 hours of fun, laughs which made me motivated for the next day and the day after. The trainings will always be remembered, the first touch training in the holidays, the worst training everrrr! Having to dive, play, go through moves, fitness, all in the rain and mud. But that was all worth it, we ended up winning touch!!!! The basketball training when we probably did the most fitness ever in one training. That was all worth it as well. The training was a mix of emotions and feelings.

I learnt so so much during the 6 weeks of training. I learnt that your body-language plays a big part in whatever sport you play, once you put your hands on your knees, hips, head, you’ve just told the opposition that they have done a good job and you’re tired. Mo taught us this and reminded us in every training.  I learnt the basics of touch, doing two hand touches and to push off them, how to dive, know how to actually plant and step over the ball, and sooo many more things. I learnt how to play basketball (finally), to be strong, to be able to do a lay up and so on. The coaches did a very good job. Thanks Mo for the Basketball, Touch and Tag trainings

I need to work on many things, like my shooting in basketball, being confident when playing touch and to catch the ball! I need to work on my anger on the field/court and learn how to control it. In volleyball, at all times be ready for the return and never watch the ball just drop onto the floor. As well as that, at certain times pick the suitable hit (dig or set) when the ball comes flying at me.

My advice for students that are going to go to sports camp next year or trialing. PUT IN 100% AT EVERY TRIAL AND TRAINING. If you’ve finished training and you’re completely tired/dead and you know you have put in 100% effort, well done! If you don’t, well next time make sure you do. There is most likely to be early morning training for at least one of your sports, so get used to waking up early. Trust me it’s not easy if you have more than one early morning a week and it’s a freezing cold morning. FITNESS. There are going to be hard fitness’, whether it's at special fitness or at training. You are going to get to the point where you just want to stop (if you’re trying hard enough) sometimes you just need to push through that pain. Also try to do more fitness after school or on the weekend, it’ll help you alot, put in that extra work because fitness in my opinion is the key for sportcamp. Make sure you're doing your school work (school first). Make sure your attendance and behaviour is up to standards. Don’t get into unnecessary fights/problems. Lastly, good luck.