Muriwai, Mud and Mindsets, NZL Junior Squad Camp wraps up in Auckland

Monday 17 June 2019

Muriwai, Mud and Mindsets, NZL Junior Squad Camp wraps up in Auckland

Passion was just one of many values identified by the athletes attending the NZL Youth Squad camp at Muriwai Surf Lifesaving Club held Friday 14^th – Sunday 16^th June 2019.

The camp was designed to provide an opportunity for the squad to bond, be challenged and to identify values that would help them grow as athletes. The squad was split into four groups for the weekend where they cooked, cleaned & completed challenges together.

The camp was led by Youth Head Coach Zac Franich with support from Youth Assistant Coach Laura Quilter, Youth Assistant Team Manager William Wilkins and Youth Team Physio Mike Ellis.

On Friday evening the squad welcomed former NZL Open Head Coach, Jason Pocock, and 3x Black Fin World Champion, Andrew McMillan to present on their experiences leading and competing for New Zealand. Attitude, processes and understanding teammates were common themes from both speakers.

On Saturday the tramped a portion of the Te Henga walkway between Muriwai and Bethells Beach. Rainfall overnight made for challenging conditions. A large portion of the track was turned to mud and made it slow going for the group. Both coaches were proud that the athletes maintained a positive attitude throughout, despite being outside their comfort zone.

Following the tramp, the squad greeted their third guest speaker, former All Black Ian Jones. One of the country’s most successful locks, Jones touched on themes such as mental fortitude, attitude and goal setting. One story demonstrated how the All Blacks were tested. Jones explained his experience tramping around Muriwai for four days with NZL Special Forces and how hard the group was pushed physically and mentally.

Team Physiotherapist Mike Ellis, who has been with the Junior Surf Lifesaving Team since their first campaign in 2012, worked throughout the weekend to complete physical screenings of the athletes.

The camp wrapped up on Sunday with an in-house team’s challenge & a recap of the values established at the start of camp.

The next opportunity for the squad to meet will be a pool skills workshop in July. The workshop will give the youth squad experience training alongside current Open Squad members and former Black Fins.

For further information contact Zac Franich

zac.franich@outlook.com