The girls chilled out and then got beautified as we were headed out for team photos. We were met by the photographer (slightly earlier than our time slot), and he appeared to be a bit stressed. I did my usual 'how's your morning been?' chit chat, only to find out that he had a terribly busy morning due to not having access to the venue in time to set up ready for the first team's photos and had been run off his feet ever since. He hadn’t even had time for a coffee. So I thought that I had time and offered to grab him one. He was very grateful and his demeanor changed immediately. It feels great to make a difference in people’s day.
The photos are fun, the players get their individual pictures
taken, then we line up for the team shot. Move this way, turn your shoulders, turn your feet, etc etc and finally CLICK! Can't wait to see it. Especially the crazy one. It's always fun to see what people do when put on the spot to be silly.
Id' visited the shops for some morning tea which we enjoyed out in the sunshine while we waited for our time slot for training.
I took the opportunity to make some new friends. Chatting with the canteen lady, the events coordinator and the court supervisors. All so helpful and friendly. Never underestimate the power of a smile. I must say that my parents have taught me interpersonal skills well. I do enjoy meeting new people and can strike up a conversation with pretty much anyone. I really dislike when people are unnecessarily rude or get riled up about small things (people cutting in line, dealing with people who don't know what they are talking about etc). Ok, life lesson over there.....I think you get the point.
Training went well, and the girls are in the groove. I really think that I am the luckiest manager ever. I have the best team, the most cohesive coaches and wonderful families of the players. Not to mention the brilliant support from home from my hubby and 2 girls of my own giving up time with me so I can do these things as well as my mum who has been an unending source of last minute items.
So we head home for some lunch and the girls take the longer break to explore the accommodation we are staying at. The games room and jumping pillow were part of the activities, There is the entire WA contingency here at the same accommodation, but we are rarely corseting paths because of the great set up we have and which rooms we were allocated.
While everyone was enjoying the facilities I popped out to stock up on some supplies and get the towel, and I was feeling relaxed. Not the strung out and already tired person I thought that I might be by nearly the end of day 2.
Just before we were headed out for the night we were visited by a representative from from BNSW. It's interesting to hear someone ask of the girls a whole lot of stuff that they are already doing. Respect, help your manager, be a team. It just made me prouder to be a part of this group that do all those things all day. Its refreshing to hear the recognition of the role of a manager too. I have been very lucky as our Head Coach and ACs are awesome like that, and always make sure that I feel valued as a very important part of this team, whilst I will never have any part to play in a game situation. There have been others that have spoken to our girls that didn't even say anything about the role of a manager or even acknowledged I was in the room. Glad I am not their manager :)
Ballarat was hosting a round of SEABL so the girls got to check out a women's game which happened to closely coincide with the all important 'Technical' meeting.
The technical meeting is where you hear from Basketball Australia, the organisers and the head of referees. Interesting what questions people ask and what they think is important to know. It is attended by the head coach and manager of each team. The best news is that we get to play in white tomorrow. When there is a clash of uniform colours, the team listed second has to change to their alternate strip. Love it. With VIC Country as our first game tomorrow it will be nice for the girls to take the court in their regular uniforms. Woohoo!
I head home early from the game to start dinner. Chicken Schnitzel and veges tonight! I once again am grateful that I brought my electric frypan. I feel like a kitchen MacGyver every time I make a meal, as I don't have the serving trays/bowls that I am used to having access to. While cooking dinner I tune into the live streaming of the ClubsNSW Academy Games as I had my own daughter playing back home in Terrigal. I love technology!
I gave dinner a 90% success purely because the potato bake I had cooking in the oven didn't work in time. Everyone raves about gas cooking, but it wasn't my friend today. Only took 2 hours to be at a point that was edible. Still remained calm and fortunately have a tendency to over cater, so there was still enough without the potato bake..
The girls didn't need any encouragement to go to bed after being told they will be up in the morning for a walk. A slow kitchen clean up before heading to bed to write.
I was surprised to see so many read my blog yesterday, 118 people. Wow, reading about cooking and traveling is interesting to people.......who knew.
Tomorrow..................................GAME DAY!
Random Tip for the day: Always have zip locks. They are great for so many reasons.
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