By Ieuan Gale
Tuesday 5 July -- After a long day travelling on Sunday, the GB Under-23 Men’s Team has had a great two-day pre-tournament training camp in Sezimovo Usti in the Czech Republic.
With a team made up of players who have almost all come through the youth development system in Britain, this team is prepared, confident and ready to compete with the best that Europe has to offer when the European Under-23 Men’s Fastpitch Championship starts tomorrow.
Due to the dramas of European air travel at the moment, Sunday was a long day with early rises, long queues, and full planes, but after much stress the team finally arrived at its accommodation. On the edge of town, with stunning views, and only a short distance to the field, the house the team is staying in is the perfect place for a team representing their country.
Monday
When Monday arrived, the team was rested and ready to go. After a slow morning of mobility, acclimatisation and calm preparation, the team hit the field for a good training session.
Once everyone had had some solid BP, infielders got used to the different dirt here, the outfielders got the lay of the land and pitchers turned their arms over. Then the team headed home for a celebratory dinner for senior player Josh Stanley’s 21st birthday.
Tuesday
There was heavy rainfall on Monday night, so when Tuesday rolled around the morning training plan had to be adjusted. But after the hosts helpfully opened up their indoor hall, the team had another good practice session, with players getting themselves ready for the start of the tournament tomorrow where they will face the Czech Republic and then Israel in back-to-back games.
Making the most of the indoor facilities, the finishing touches were put to a squad that is feeling confident and prepared for the week ahead.
Looking ahead
Though the team knows that the competition will be fierce this week, with every team having their eyes on the prize in this inaugural event, this is a GB Junior Men’s Team perhaps unlike any that has come before.
With a great combination of experience, speed, pitching depth and perhaps most importantly passion and belief, this group of young men cannot wait to get started. The atmosphere among the players and staff is one of excitement and measured confidence, and under the leadership of Head Coach Richard Brown, who is making his debut coaching in Europe, the team is united in its goal for the week: qualifying for the first WBSC Under-23 Men’s World Cup in Parana, Argentina this October.
Reflecting on the training camp, Richard Brown said, “I have seen a huge a change in the confidence of every one of the players here, and the camaraderie so far has been exceptional. I am positive that we can achieve a good result this week. It is now over to the players to put into being all that we have worked on this year. Now I’m just looking forward to the week ahead.”
Photos by Ieuan Gale