Sweating it out at pre-pre-camps

Team Australia arrived in a wave of green and gold on Friday morning (Israel time), but a number of our teams have been slogging it out in pre pre-camp training camps to ensure they’re in top shape for their tournaments.

Our junior boys held a camp under the guidance of Brad Maloney at Arsenal’s training ground in Bangkok, Thailand, with two sessions plus recovery work done each day.

The boys played against a team from Si Samarn on Wednesday, which included two Thai national team players, and prevailed 5-2, improving as the game went on. In fact, the game was covered by the local press (see clipping from newspaper, pictured right).

Goal scorers for Australia were Josh Mindel (2), Mikki Schneider, Zac Rosenberg and an own goal.

Section manager Phil Filler said: “The training camp went well.

“The opportunity was provided for all players to show their credentials for a starting spot and much information was passed on by coach Brad Maloney.”

A number of our womens open basketball side spent a couple of days in Pattaya in Thailand, where the girls were able to break up their flight, spend some time to get to know eachother, while also spending time on the court to work on skills and team structures under the watchful eye of Nathan Arousi.

“We stayed in a sports hotel which provided us with a basketball court, excellent gym facilities, large pool (great for warm downs) and structured sessions such as spin classes,” section manager Mark Perch said.

“The players are completing three sessions a day covering fitness sessions and basketball sessions and they are all having a great time in their ample free time.”

Still in Thailand, our futsal side are yet to arrive in Israel as they prepare in Bangkok as well.

They had a good hit-out against Thai Port, losing 3-2 to the side, who finished third in the Thai Premier League last season.

Meanwhile, our open mens football side spent a couple of days acclimatising in Tel Aviv, and brushed off the cobwebs with a 3-0 and then 2-0 loss to USA.

Soccer pics thanks to Mia J Rosen

Our cyclists have also hit the road in Jerusalem, and look very sharp in their new outfits!

Finally, swimming coach David Rifkin, a three-time Maccabean, has swapped his swimmers for the stopwatch and is pictured with team members from the north shore in Sydney – Rifkin, Gold, Israelsohn, Velik, Klass and Rifkin (L to R). Fire up!

By David Weiner