The FIMBA GB +50 and +55 Men’s teams combined for a fitness and training session in Gloucester.
The session saw a lot of new faces and a new look to training sessions and planning. Owing to the increase in player numbers, the combined squad are now called “The Fifties” and we’ve split training venues between Gloucester (The South) and Nottingham (The North) so that everyone will get the chance to shine for selection.
First up was the dreaded fitness and all the players did well, with a vast number meeting the benchmark score. The atmosphere changed from apprehension to competition and, immediately, a sense of team/squad bonding came through. Players that were close to making the grade were loudly encouraged by watching teammates to try again. When they passed, they were congratulated and Coach Mark Taylor said “This is like session nine rather than the first”.
The few that didn’t make the score were either injured or just returning from injury and they’ll get another chance in January 2025.
After the fundamental warm up’s, Coach Dom Short took over and the players responded in a manner that was akin to an NBL 1 session, with a few rolling back the years with reverse lay ups, no look passes and screens that would stop an elephant in its tracks.
For a first session, that was the best I’ve seen since I’ve been a player or coach with FIMBA GB. All the players did the basics well, the movement was what we’d hoped for and the team bonding on a different scale
Head Coach, Des Williams
The second session in Nottingham and, again, a good number of players joined in. Head Coach Williams went through his usual high tempo, fast drills for the first two hours and then it was all about game play and play learning.
The 55’s are looking superb and having been to the Europeans, some of the players have realised the standard is nothing like they expected. It’s a great deal higher and those that thrive on competition have stepped up their fitness and it shows
Head Coach, Des Williams
The next sessions are coming thick and fast as the coaches look to make their selections for the World Championships.
