The eve before our first game...

Laying on my belly... relaxed. A nice evening... Meeting with the team followed by physio- dry needling to alleviate the stiffness in my quad... feel the difference already. Birthday cake for our physio- girls acting a little silly- might be the sugar high or perhaps it's nervous energy. Tomorrow we have our first game of our Olympic Qualifying campaign.

Over the last few days we have had some interesting times... Within 12 hours one of our younger girls, Miss Sammie Kerr, 17, was on a flight home. Yet another footballer amongst our ranks to tear her ACL, as soon as the results confirmed what our medical staff predicted... Her flight home was organised in order to have surgery straight away. We do miss her smiling face and teenage antics, her presence and youthful energy out on the pitch. As unfortunate as injuries are, they continue to occur, it's inevitable. Tis the harsh reality of being an athlete and... you know what 'they' say...another's misfortune- is an opportunity for some one else. Michelle Heyman was contacted as her substitute and flown straight over. We all hoped Sammie would be looked after during her flight home... Including an upgrade ;) Not sure exactly what eventuated.

Jinan has continually surprised us with its vibrant atmosphere and friendly people. Starbucks has now evolved in to a daily ritual as well as the ice-baths. I'm not usually one for routine however i certainly look forward to our afternoon coffee.

I've also been receiving emails from friends and family. So 2005 i know!!! Social media sites being banned in China has led to this. Unless you were prepared to pay for a special program. I am not. Based on principle. However i do ask the girls nicely when i need to jump on and update my status or something important like that ;)


Game day...

Today it all begins... Games back to back. Its a strange feeling. When a moment has been anticipated for so long and finally it has arrived. How is it to be received. The feeling is something that you cannot predict and it is hard to describe. All the work has been done- this keeps your mind at ease. We must focus on the now. The Olympics can be a driving force, a motivation. But that won't get us results... We must focus on the doing.


We know the game today will not determine our campaign in qualifying for the Olympics. We have 4 games remaining. However a positive result will hold us in good sted. Every game our Olympic hopes will hang in the balance of the outcome. Every game we must be alive. Lucky we have 20 capable bodies. and many support staff in order to support us through the next 11 days to return to Australia to then begin our prep for London next year. Ok... without getting ahead of myself. not looking beyond this afternoon.

Im going to leave you with a quote i stumbled upon having read the 'China Daily'. From the World track Athletics tournament From Daegu, South Korea, Liu Xiang, China's superstar of track and field. "Anything can happen during a race and nobody knows the outcome beforehand. We should just enjoy what competitive sports bring to us." China Daily, August 31, 2011.

Ok... That's all from me. Best be off for pre-match. My classic peanut butter, honey and banana on toast :) Don't judge until you have tried it. Makes me smile just the thought :)