DWNT 2012 Day 1

Well here we go again. Another National Team Journey. It seems as though it was just yesterday when I made my first adventure. Now 5 years later I have assisted with 2 development teams, 2 senior teams and this year I get to be the head coach of the national development team.
I can honestly say that I am excited and somewhat nervous. Excited for a number of reasons.
I love representing Canada. I love working with the athletes at this level. Did I mention I love representing my country? It is just an awesome feeling. To know that you can have a little impact on the future of basketball in this country is very exciting. 
I am nervous because it is a test that I haven't faced before. Testing my coaching skills as a head coach at this level is a little bit of a daunting task. I am also teaching stuff that I have never taught before but I know I will handle it.


So I have spent the past few days in Ontario recruiting and we still aren't done. That is one troublesome thing. I will be trying to focus on things here yet still seeking new players for our team. Never fun when you have to recruit through the summer but it is part of life at CBU.


Now on to day one...
Woke up this morning and did a little planning then checked out of my hotel. I went to a restaurant for a nice breakfast and then stayed and did some more planning. Eventually I went to the airport to return my rental vehicle. I was getting picked up at 2:30 at the airport and transported to Humber College where we will hold our camp.


No practice today as it is a travel day. We had supper at 7:30 and only about half of the girls were here. The 2 physiotherapists were there as well as one other coach and two interns. A nice meal and then back to residence to await the others. 


We held a meeting at around 9:30 to discuss camp and what would be expected. I talked about representing your country and the style of play we wanted to try and play. Hopefully we have a great experience. 
While the list is not totally official I will give a brief rundown of the players and what school they play at.


First I will be joined on the bench by Shawnee Harle who was the coach at the University of Calgary for 18 years and was also an assistant at the 1996 Olympics. Also with us is Chantal Vallee who has just won back to back national titles at Windsor. I think I will pick their brains quite a bit.


Players in Camp
Justine Colley (5'7") - SMU
Tessa Krieger (6'4"), Korissa Williams (5'9") and Miah Marie Langlois (5'8") - Windsor (Miah will join in a few days as she is at Senior team camp)
Taryn Wicijowski (6'3")- Utah
Katherine Plouffe (6'3") - Marquette
Kayla Alexander (6'4")- Syracuse
Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe (6'3")- Simon Fraser
Kellie Ring (5'9") - Ottawa

Kris Young (6'1") - UBC

Megan Lukan (5'7") - Wisconsin Green Bay

Wumi Agunbiade (6'2") - Duquesne (where I received my Masters)

Alex Kiss Rusk (6'4") - US High School will be here for a few days to train
Karly Roser (5'10")- Northwestern will be here for a few days to train 




I am really excited about this group and I think they can have a great experience together.


So tomorrow we have some testing in the AM and the girls will get some information from our sport specialists. This is a great aspect of this camp as we get some of the best people here to work with our athletes and get them ready to train on their own throughout their regular seasons.


Our first on court practice is at 4:30pm and then we have 2 the next day. Hopefully we can get everything covered before we depart. 
The journey this year will be to Montenegro and Belgium. Check another 2 countries off the list. 


The little round ball has taken me all over Canada and to 7 other countries. Make that 9 after this year. Reminds me of Dr. Seuss....oh the places you'll go.


So off to bed on night 1. I am sure I will write more as we progress through the camp. I will try and provide some insights into what goes on within a national team camp as the head coach.


Until tomorrow......