The training hall on Wednesday was a scene of mourning as the players were obviously reflecting on the heavy defeat they received from the staff and coach team at the previous evening’s football match.
The coaches however floated into the hall on a wave of triumphal joy looking fresh and eager for a new day.
The staff decided that in order to at least have a challenge in next year’s football match the players would have to undergo some intense physical preparation and that it was going to start now.
First of all Kenn “POW” Linn and Joanne “Faster Faster” Quay took the players for an “Asian style” footwork session however it was obvious that a fitter and faster pacemaker was needed and the coaches sent in Robert Mann from Luxembourg to do that job.
There was some discussion about whether the Staff (Alan and Peter) should also join in but it was decided that their supreme athletic abilities would make the players look bad.
With the players already half dead it was now time to finish off the job.
In the absence of the official executioner, Thomas “hard as nails” Mendrek, this job was taken over by Vlada “in Belarus we do much harder” Cherniavskaya and An “six pack” Soenens.
The players were led through a series of grueling core stability exercises and were horrified to learn that this was only the trial run.
By the time they were finished most of them had found muscles in places that they did not know existed.
Unfortunately Staff coach, Robert “Big Daddy” Wetherell is still searching for the muscles that should exist.
In the lunch break we were treated to a cabaret by the Spanish players who then continued the show later on by the pool side. VIVA ESPANA!
The players relaxed by swimming and sunbathing up until the time that they decided to throw Alan “Adonis” McIlvain into the pool. (It did take 8 people to move him – muscle weighs more than fat)
The players then went for Peter “Magnificent” Mouritsen but were unsuccessful as he managed to put up a long struggle by holding on to the fence and crying for his mother.
After that it was war!
Alexander “see what I can do” Book gave Kenn a swimming lesson, unfortunately even after this help it still looked like synchronized drowning.
The evening finished with a trip into the centre of Madrid for all players, coaches and staff.
Spanish Staff, Francisco “no habla Espanol” Alvarez Dacal gave us a short guided tour on the bus and encouraged the players to start a Spanish sing song.
by Anonymous (Denmark/Scotland), staff
The first practice was fun but then I got sick. Now I am feeling better and enjoyed the session this morning.
by Eiour Isak Broddason (Iceland), player
AMAZING! So many new friends and I can now say hello in like 20 languages. So Sad that it is nearly over and will miss my new badminton buddies. I know how to say hello in Spanish. Hola!
by Keady Smith (Ireland), player
From my point of view it’s a very funny camp because of the staff and all the people who is here. I like the training a lot because we are getting better very fast.
by Rodrigo Asensio (Spain), player
I think that it’s an interesting experience. I am learning a lot of English and I practice it. Trainings are fun so I improve many shots and movements
by Clara Fernandez (Spain), player
My name is Javi and it is good to stay at the Summer School because you learn a lot of new things and make new friends.
by Javier Suarez (Spain), player
Great! Lots of fun, lots of new friends will come again, hopefully!
by Michael Kinnear (Wales), player
I'm very glad to have come to the Summer School because my goals have been achieved: learn a lot and have fun !!
Work hard but I think it's a great way to enjoy a week for those who love badminton
by Ana Ferrer (Spain), coach
My name is Anesti Treska from Albania. This Summer School course was my first grand experience. I know a lot of friends with open mind. I learned many technics and I found the staff was teaching every day with love. The things I have learned I will try to do with my team in my country. Thank you all, I will always remember you Mister Alan and Mister Peter.
by Anesti Treska (Albania), coach
The Summer School gives me a lot of good experiences. I learn next techniques for movements and a lot of new exercises. I am only in the sport for 5 years. So this has been fantastic for me.
by Ratko Shterjovski (Macedonia), coach
Although I am still focusing on playing at the moment, attending the Summer School as a coach left me no choice but to focus on coaching techniques and philosophies. It is an extremely intensive week and at times I felt I needed to take a couple of hours not to think about coaching, so the activities and excursions are a welcome break. I found myself dreaming about coaching one night, which worried me a little ….
I was looking forward to working in an international environment but I had no idea how much my communication skills would be tested! I was aware of the coaching concept which the Summer School has adopted but I was pleased to have been a part of it and experienced it in an intensive setting.
There are many ideas which I feel will improve me as a player and which I will keep in my back pocket for when it is time to coach. I am very excited to see what consequence it will have on the players who attended and if their new found knowledge and enthusiasm will be passed on to the rest of the players back home.
Thanks to all the staff for their patience and support!
by Robert Mann (Luxembourg), coach