National Talent Camp - Day 4


   The final day at the camp was special as friendships had been made and soon we would have to disperse back into our own lives and get into the Christmas spirit again. The morning was another fresh 05:45 rise in preparation for the second and final circuit session of the camp. We had a short amount of time to collect our belongings from around our hotel rooms which gave me just enough time to make a coffee in the polystyrene cup I had commandeered from the campus dining room the afternoon before.
   The circuit session was easier than last time. For a start it only lasted for about 30 minutes and in my opinion it was comprised of far easier exercises however it did produce similar numbers to those I recorded earlier in the weekend. After getting changed out of our sweaty clothes it was time for breakfast, our penultimate visit to the dining room. Here Group 2 took the table on the stage of the hall. We all talked about what we were doing in the lead up to 2015 and many exchanged Twitter addresses as to try to stay in contact following the end of the camp.
   Our morning classroom session was short and to the point. To begin with we used our coaching booklets to fill in our main goals to work on after the camp and then took part in a group activity where we each filled in a comment about each other on sheets which were handed around the circle. This was actually quite touching and definitely something I will take away from this experience.
   Following a short break we separated into our sport groups for our final NGB session. Here we branched off into Athletes, Coaches and Officials and discussed with our peers what we had learnt over the course of the weekend and what specific qualities we would take away and try to improve on after the camp. Being honest, my short terms goals were to improve the way I use social media to represent myself and also to practice my personal technique of getting rid of 'the chimp'.
   Christmas dinner was a brilliant success. The Rutherford Dining Room was a flood of laughter and chatter as many people enjoyed their final meal together. This was great for thanking people for being part of such a wonderful experience.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



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Christmas Lunch - Photo courtesy of Rachel Barr

 
   Finally it was time for the Closing Ceremony. Here we were addressed by the Youth Sport Trust Chair, Baroness Sue Campbell and awards were handed out to those who showed true progression throughout the duration of the camp. It was brilliant that Rob of my own 'Group 2' received one of the four awards.
  
   I am truly grateful for this opportunity and I would like to once again thank The Youth Sport Trust, Sport England and all the volunteers, without whom, this camp would not have been possible.

Thanks for reading. I will be sure to post again soon!

Gregg


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