GB Bulldogs future star Cameron Cope’s diary from Australia

Cameron Cope is one of three European players who have been selected to represent the World XVIII in the 2013 NAB U/16 National Championships in Australia, running from July 6 to 13. He describes what his first days in Sydney and the training camp that took place before the starting of the tournament have been like.

Cameron Cope’s diary

On the first day in Sydney I met up with the other players at the first hotel to settle in as a team and we went for a training session on a park oval. Then we went in the sea for recovery, it was more like survive or die moment as the Australian waves were crazy.

Day 2: We did the same routine but the training session focused on team bonding with groups of boys from different backgrounds. Then we went to a rock pool for recovery, it was freezing but good for sore muscles and fatigue.

Day 3: We moved to another hotel and went training on the oval. We focused on game plans and on how we can benefit from each type of player. I have a feeling I will be in the back line to start on their fast leader. We watched the first half of the division one teams and saw how they move and work as a team.

When we train, we have push-ups if we are not listening and not working as a team.

Last weekend, for the first round of the NAB AFL Under-16 National Championship, the World XVIII team won their first game 75-66 against the WA North-West. A great start to the campaign as WA NW won division three in 2012.

World XVIII 10.15 (75)
WA North-West 10.6 (66)

Goals
World XVIII: Moshoeshoe 2, Paligorov 2, Mostert 2, Kerbatieh, Choi, Kennedy, Greyling
WA North-West: Gore, Birch, Seton, Evans, Shaw, Simons, Cox, Oakley, Ahchee, Djiagween

Best
World XVIII: El Mousalli, Mostert, Aujla, Kerbatieh, Santillo, Moshoeshoe
WA North-West: Seton, Petera, Gore, Daley, Birch