The visit to South Africa provided the players with the opportunity to train at a higher altitude in Pretoria at the University of Pretoria high performance centre. As well as the training sessions the team was able to use the time for valuable discussions on leadership and the game plan for the 2008 season. A real positive from the final training session last Friday was Chris Judd participating in the full session, the first time he has completed a full training session since having a groin operation last year. This training session is part of the planned program that is expected to see Judd make his Carlton debut in the third week of the NAB Cup series.
The training and the exhibition match were the direct football benefits from the South African visit however it was the life experiences that will stay with the players for a long time and will certainly play an important part in building this team even closer. Visiting the Game Park and witnessing the animals in the wild. Walking through the streets of Soweto and seeing first hand how tough life is for many people in the area. This is where many do not even have the basic facilities that we all take for granted; electricity, water, proper shelter and the like. A visit to the Sparrow Rainbow HIV Village where there is no hope for the 240 children and 94 adults who live at the Village. These are just some of the experiences that the players were fortunate to see and be involved in.
It was the visit to the HIV Village that was as confronting as it gets for anyone. While the improved treatments are slowing the death rate at the clinic, it was still common for up to eight children to die in a week. Indeed on the morning prior to the Carlton players visit to the Village there had been a funeral for a baby.
It was the visit to the Sparrow Rainbow Village where all residents live with AIDS that most moved Nick Stevens. “This is as confronting as it gets, to see the way they live and what some of their lives are like, but the biggest thing I found was how positive they are. They love the life they’ve got, they love interaction with people,” Nick said.
“It makes you realise how much we sook about things at home. We think we’ve got it tough at times. To see how positive they all are, it really hits you. You walk around the corner and they see your face and then their face lights up with a smile; it is a great feeling,” Nick added.
There were many life experiences for the players on the visit to South Africa however it is back to reality on Thursday and a return to training with a short session at MC Labour Park at 8.30am. The entire team will then be at the ground for the Hyundai Blues Family Day on Sunday between 10.30am and 4.00pm.
For your chance to experience a South African adventure like the Carlton players, call the team at Escape Travel Reservoir and create your own African adventure. Phone (03) 9479 8100 for details.
