Day 9 - supporting NSW

Woke up this morning and couldn't really move. Seems that my back has decided to pack it in and not play anymore. Or perhaps I just slept funny. Either way, I shuffle around getting breakfast ready. The morning walk has been postponed to after breakfast as we had heard that Lake Wendouree is beautiful and has a walking path all the way around. Although we won't be walking the whole 6 kms all the way around. I grab some Nurofen and Deep Heat and finish serving breakfast.
The lake was simply gorgeous and incredibly peaceful.

While the girls walked I enjoyed the scenery and had a quick catch up with the coach. My role is not just to be there for the girls but to also provide support to the coaching staff when needed. As the oldest member of staff (just) I feel a maternal responsibility for all of them. Our staff are quite young at 36, 22 & 21 I think we have the youngest staff at Nationals. it has been a tough campaign on them as well as the players, so its important to provide a friendly ear from time to time.
The girls take in the surroundings as countless walkers and runners pass us by. This setting was once the rowing venue for the 1956 Olympics and also the same lake that Steve Moneghetti used to run around (and the track has since been named after him). It is pretty cold, but made bearable by how stunning the lake looks.

We come back and spend some time chilling out and having a team chat before we take on our nemesis VIC Country, who in a shock loss yesterday were played out of a semi final spot by a 4th placed team. An early lunch was in order to be prepared for our game. The girls start to get ready to go and we head off.
We are welcomed by all the families and also an addition today. Jasmine who was sadly ruled out of playing for us, by injury  sustained as she currently is training at the AIS. It was great to see her and we invited her to come and sit on our bench to lend her support. I was secretly hoping that she might bring a little boost to the girls, Both teams had a lot to prove on the court, as on paper they both really deserved to be playing off for a higher position than 5th place.The consistency of the VIC Country team and our girls being a bit flat made for a bit of blow out. 

It means that we would then need to play off for 7th or 8th spot tomorrow. Not exactly the medal hunting we had come to fulfill. But we need to regroup to put us in the best possible position tomorrow.
The girls and coaches soon finished up their end of game routine of stretches, family chats and removal of sports tape, We then decided to once again support NSW Country boys in their semi final. A win for them will put them into the gold medal match. They played well and got the win. It was enjoyable to watch. 

Before we head home a quick chat with a performance coach from BNSW and then finally on our way home for showers and dinner. I have organised BBQ chickens, potatoes and vegetables. Another simple but hearty meal. The BBQ chickens are pre-cut and ready to go and can be purchased at most major supermarkets instead of having to hunt down a chicken shop or corner store. 

Another team chat back at home to clear the air about the day, and then we enjoy dinner and get going again, this time to support the NSW Metro men who will be also playing for a spot to contest the NSW Country men in the Gold Medal final. A great win by them too makes tomorrow night's Gold Medal match an all NSW final. Impressive. 

We come back home to chill a bit, well the girls do, as I head off to wash the uniforms and return to find the washing up completed, and I had a bit of a chat with one of the girls. They are really great kids, and I am going to miss having them around.

Now the planning for the departure begins, We will clean out the left overs and think about planning the journey home. Last day of games tomorrow.