1.png)
Congrats to our VIC team - runners up in the U13 and U15
.jpg "ALAC 2011 Logo")
The Victorian Team have now competed in Sydney in the ALAC competition.
The trip began well with athletes arriving at the airport and having photos taken. We then boarded the plane on our way to Sydney.
On leaving sunny Melbourne we arrived to a wet Sydney - this seems to have been the case now for the last few ALAC competitions.
The athletes arrived at their accommodation (Sydney Gateway Holiday Park - if you are heading to Sydney, this is a fantastic caravan park with great facilities and only half an hour from Homebush). After dropping their bags in their rooms, we made our way to a local track for a training session and marching practice. Our marching was definitely better than the first time we tried it at one of our training sessions.
Dinner that night was at La Porchetta, where the athletes joined in singing Happy Birthday to a young child in the restaurant.
Day 2 saw the athletes have a bit of a sleep in, breakfast and then we made our way in to Sydney, where the host State put on a BBQ for all of the athletes from each State. This was at a very picturesque position right under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The athletes mingled with the other athletes and also exchanged State badges, which is a tradition at each ALAC. After the BBQ and some fantastic photo shots, our team walked around to Luna Park and then back to one of the Harbour piers to board one of the ferries for a cruise around the Harbour. We were entertained by a local uni student who pointed out local points around the Harbour and also tried to sing Justin Bieber songs (she definitely wasn't shy). Once the cruise was over all States made their way to St Aloysius school in Milsons Point for the Civic Reception. This school would have to be one of the most sought after locations in Sydney with a balcony right beside the Sydney Harbour Bridge and on the opposite side of the Harbour was the Opera House. Channel 9 even have one of their cameras permanently set in one of the school's windows to use the view as a backdrop on their news reports. This is where the opening speeches were made and Dani Samuels was guest speaker, talking about her times from when she was an U13 athlete competing for Sydney to her more recent times at the World Championships. She definitely inspired many of our athletes. At the conclusion of the speeches the States present their war cries, which I'm sure could be heard from the Opera House on the other side of the Yarra. That night it was back to the accommodation for dinner and a stretching session conducted by Harrison for all athletes.
Day 3 began slightly earlier with breakfast and a visit to the local shopping complex. Kmart had a huge influx in sales on their nerf guns with all athletes eager to use their new toys (they were banned until after competition). After shopping it was time for the athletes to make their way to Homebush for the Track Familiarisation session. This is where the athlete get to meet all of the Chief officials and train at the facility and use the equipment they will actually use on Competition Day. The athletes find this session invaluable. At the end of this session it was back to the accommodation to watch a movie and then begin dinner. Steve and Jo had to attend the Team Managers meeting and left Rosemary, Stan and Lindsay in charge. On returning we found that they had blown our oven up while baking potatoes....luckily there was no one hurt. The Royal wedding was on this night and luckily Stan was able to watch it ahead of the football....
Day 4 all athletes were up early as we made our way to the track by 7am (I do believe some of the boys were up around 4.30am to get ready for competition - a bit eager) Finally competition day was here.
The athletes began the day with a jog together and the first opportunity to see their parents in the grandstand. War cries began, teams were ready to compete! The rain had stopped for the opening ceremony with Casey Donovan (Australian Idol) singing the national anthem and then a local entertainer singing until competition began. The march past was led by a fantastic school pipe band who were immaculate in their white boots. 10.00am and the first race was on the track. Victoria competed well with many outstanding performances on the day - Amy, Thomas, Andrew, Marcel just to name a few. However it was unfortunate that for most of the day NSW held a slight lead in all events and then carried that through to win the U13 trophy ahead of ourselves Victoria. Our U15 athletes of Harrsison, David, Ellen and Madison were strong throughout the day with David taking 1st place, Harrison 3rd, Ellen 2nd and Madison 5th. Again we finished second to NSW in the U15 trophy, however our U15's combined to form a strong relay team and win the gold medal. The day was over (at the track) and it was then time to get ready for our traditional Victorian dinner. This was held at Blacktown RSL with approximately 100 athletes and family members unwinding after a long day and the athletes first opportunity to enjoy themselves.
Day 5 was the last day before the Team would head back to Melbourne. By the time I had got out of bed, most athletes were up and jumping on one of those jumping pillows in the caravan park (which they had been eager to get on since Day 1) or in the pool and spa. Bags were then packed and it was time to explore Sydney. We made our way to Paddy's Market, where the NSW team were also visiting, McDonald's for lunch and then on to Darling Harbour. The athletes enjoyed running through the water features and splashing each other, watching buskers perform and also playing laser tag. It was then time to get back on the buses for the last "bouncy" ride back to the airport. Many of the athletes were keen to stay, however the trip was over. On arriving back in Melbourne, the athletes were returned to their parents before a good night sleep and back to school on Monday.
Until next year in Hobart.
Jo Linford
Team Manager
Please click on the link(s) below to view results:
Please click on the below link to view a collection of photographs which have been collected dating back to squad selection.
U13 State Team
Amy Benifer (Ringwood), Sarah Billings (Box Hill), Bridget Brammer (Caulfield), Sarah Cleary (Brighton), Phoebe Condon (Box Hill), Isabella Dalla Costa (Kew), Taylah-Rose De Bono (Whittlesea City), Corrin Demeo (Geelong), Charlotte McKenzie (Caulfield), Maree Muscara (Werribee), Jade Sanders (Casey), Zoe Schwerkolt (Box Hill), Billy Allamby (Knox), Andrew Bialecki (Ringwood), Patrick Coates (Frankston), Jake Di Palma (Whittlesea City), Wesley Graeme (Leongatha), Marcel Jonker (Croydon), Andrew McGrath (Brighton), Ryan Patterson (Lilydale/Yarra Ranges), Thomas Spinks (Diamond Valley), Justin Wolsley (Mornington)
U15 State Team
Ellen Brasier (Diamond Valley), Madison Sharp (Werribee), Harrison Roubin (Camberwell/Malvern), David Thomson (Knox)
