Carding Camp

The majority of the National team programs have what is known as Athlete Assistance Program "cards" that are given out by Sports Canada. Every National team program nominates those athletes they deem eligible based on carding criteria from Sports Canada and those of the Coach and program. Sports Canada accepts (or declines) those nominated athletes and awards them cards that supplies a monthly living allowance and tuition support. Essentially you could be getting upwards of $25,000 a year depending on what level of carding you are awarded.

Regardless, the carding cycle is typically 12 months but this can change depending on competition schedules and major games. This year it begins January 1st and will go for 12 months. Usually every November the national program holds what we call a "Carding Camp" in which all the current carded athletes and any invited athletes are able to attend a 6 day camp which is mostly games and a few training sessions in order to grasp the current team tactics, have an opportunity to show their skills and their ability ti implement new tactics as well as to feel the demands of a National program.

This week the camp started on Tuesday with meetings and a training session for most of the new kids. Two teams were named prior to the camp start and those teams were designated a head coach and were expected to play each other in 6 matches that ultimately becomes quite competitive. I was on "Team Red" and we started out the camp really well! We won our first 3 games and then the other team started to figure things out.

We then tied, lost and tied our last three games but fatigue was definitely a huge factor. We had two-a-days every day either a practice in the morning and game at night or a game in the morning and night. It was exhausting and I'm pretty sure out of all 6 games I only came off for no more than 15 minutes. In other words, I played 4 games all 70 minutes and 95% of the other two games. Needless to say my body was screaming after game 3 and my muscles were killing but I think it is good training for yourself to learn to push yourself.

In other news, I have some results on my shoulder. The MRI results said I have a Type II SLAP labral tear and that depending on limitation of function and pain levels - it is surgical. So, after my conversation with the surgeon this week, I will have to make a decision about whether or not I should get it repaired. I am not scared of the surgery. I have full confidence they can repair it; however, the recovery time is what I don't want. On one side, if I get it done now and recover quick I will be good to go for our major competitions coming up like the Champions Challenge II in May (in Austria) and obviously the Pan American games next October in Mexico. The only down side is that between now and the Pan Ams they are aiming for us to get around 25 caps (games) and I want to make sure I maximize that. If I take the surgery I will miss the USA series in California (mid-January) and possibly also the altitude training tour to Chile and Mexico (Feb/March). It might all be worth it to guarantee no pain and restriction by the time April-May comes but is it worth missing more opportunities to play? Also, what about the new kids that will be filling my roles....It's all a wager I have to really think long and hard about. Once I get more details on the recovery time and surgery process I'll be better informed to make the right decision.

Until then, it's four days off from the camp and back to training in Vancouver on Thursday!!!

For photos from the camp check out this FlickR site courtesy of our awesome photographer Wil Lach.

Here's a taste: