Results for the first competition by the Under 17s team

Dear readers

The announcement of the team

It has been a hectic weekend. The Be Active Comp was concluded today. Yours truly, as usual took part in the C and B division Men's double but got no where. My partner Tony Teoh and I did try our best but it was not good enough.

Luckily the Under 17's team did better than the blogger.

The first thing that happened in the morning was that Annie and Toukrei attended with Kay at Whitfords Bunnings to help the Lions Club do a sausage sizzle. Part of the proceeds have been donated to the Under 17s team.

Kay, Annie and TouKrei at the Lion's sausage stand

Kay has been outstanding in her fund raising efforts. Most of the parents have made great effort to contribute their time and effort as it is all in a good cause. The kitchen would probably have made $2000 this weekend.  I should have taken some time to take a picture of the parents helping out at the kitchen. Thanks to Irene, Irma, Mrs Teoh (have to find out her Christian name) Lee, Sam and Susana for their contributions. I hope I have not missed out any names.

We were also assisted by the raffling of another 100% wool blanket donated by Andrew Chai of Victor Sports. If you remember, it was from his winnings from a golf tournament.

The team did very well with all members supporting each other.

Edward and Julia in their doubles

Titus and Alex v Amos and Silvi in their gold and silver match

Phing won her Open gold. Titus and Alex won gold in their A Div Mixed with Amos and Silvi getting the silver making it a clean sweep for the team.

Julia got the silver in Women's B singles with Olivia getting the gold.  Olivia was in the Under 15s team.


Silvi and Julia also won silver in the women's B Div.

Tyzton and Titus had a close fight before winning the gold in the A Men's doubles.

They were playing Veteran Alvin Woo who had already gone for 2 matches of 3 sets in the single's Mens A and B div.  Alvin won the Men's A div but lost to Gavin Chung in the B Div.

Gavin has been training with the Under 17s team after just migrating to Perth.

There were several stoppage of play during Alvin's and Gavin's match as a result of the blood rule. This was because Gavin had blood streaming down his right knee from an old bike injury.

Players need to know this rule:

6. BLOOD RULE: If a player is bleeding, has an open wound, or an excessive amount of blood on his/her uniform the player will be directed to leave the game. The injured player is not to return until the bleeding has stopped, the wound is covered, and the bloody uniform is changed.

Gavin getting his wound dressed by Mark Duxbury

This gave both player's a rest while they recovered their breath especially for Alvin who had earlier played another singles 3 setter.

Gavin maintained his composure to win eventually.

Julia's silver medal

The state team winning gold and silver in the mixed doubles A

Phing's open gold

Silvi and Julia's Silver

Henry from Refresh Waters came in to give the prizes away despite his busy schedule campaigning for the Upper House seat in the state elections.

Tyz and Titus A doubles gold

The winners for the tournament

All in all, it was a good day with Tyzton and Titus winning the A doubles. Titus must be so happy with winning the mens' and mixed doubles capped with being appointed as the team captain. He will make a great captain.  I am sure he will get the team to show respect for the coach and manager throughout the tournament in Victoria. He has to make sure he thanks everyone at training and keep the team in high morale. I am sure he will do a great job.

The next blog will probably be of the Badminton Marathon which will be held at Armadale. Stay tuned as it promises to be an interesting day.

Night.

Preparation continues for the nationals

Dear readers

The Under 17s team continue with their training in preparation for the nationals. Yuli has been great in giving all the players pointers to improve their game. Kay has been busy fundraising. That is certainly going to be great for the pockets of the parents.

Videos of the team doing footwork practice.


Today, the team competed in the Be Active Kingsway Tournament. All the players are trying their best. They are playing across different categories from Open to B Div.

Yuli was again floating around and encouraging the players. Kay and most of the parents were fundraising in the kitchen.

Amos and Silvi are still in contention for the A Reserve mixed doubles. Likewise Alex and Titus are still in contention.

Titus and Tyzton are still fighting for their A Div doubles. They have to dig deep tomorrow.

Julia and Edward are still in contention for XD B.

Silvi and Julia are also in contention for the B Doubles. Serena Lin is fighting to remain in her B doubles.

Phing is staying strong in her open singles.

Tyz and Phing are struggling in their open mixed and have 2 more games tomorrow.

Alex and Titus have their hands full tomorrow in their MXD A. Kai Jie Teoh has a slim chance of remaining in his B Div singles.

Henry Heng, President Judith and CEO Himanshu

Henry Heng , our sponsor from Refresh Water was kind enough to turn up to support the players. He is contesting for a seat at the Upper House state election and we wish him the best.

The player's health is becoming a concern. Amos was recently hospitalised after suffering some severe stomach issues. Tyzton has been sick for the past 4 days and therefore skipping school. However Tyzton and Amos are great team players and they attended Thursday's training and played in the competition despite not being in the best of health.

Kelly Hoare commented that I was not a responsible parent by allowing Tyzton to compete today despite his health. I can only say, it is up to Tyzton to give his best for the State and he knows when he really needs to rest.

Hopefully, all the players will keep in top fitness in readiness for their trip to Victoria.

The comp continues tomorrow. Night.

Training on Chinese New year eve

Dear readers

The Under 17s team are back at training having started their first session last weekend. We did not manage to get the full team last week as several of the players were at camps or still in their home country.

Today's training was well attended. We even had Gavin who is a new migrant from Malaysia. Gavin is 15 and has the chops to make the next state team. He was invited by YuLi to train with the Under 17s team. Kai Chen Teoh, who is 13 was also invited to the training. This will help for Kai Chen's Under 15s campaign.

We were lucky to have  Ryan Lin from Singapore to assist the team. Ryan is doing his Masters thesis in sports science. He organised for the players to do a  Beep test.

Ryan Lin in red participating in the warm up with the team before the Beep test 

The players at the start of the test

What is a beep test?

20m Multistage Fitness Test (Beep Test) Instructions

Instructions | Variations | Calculator | Maximizing | Purchase | References | Videos
The 20m multistage fitness test is a commonly used maximal running aerobic fitness test. It is also known as the 20 meter shuttle run test, beep or bleep test among others. For more information, see the complete guide to the bleep / beep test.

• equipment required: Flat, non-slip surface, marking cones, 20m measuring tape, beep test cd, cd player, recording sheets.
• procedure: This test involves continuous running between two lines 20m apart in time to recorded beeps. For this reason the test if also often called the 'beep' or 'bleep' test. The test subjects stand behind one of the lines facing the second line, and begin running when instructed by the cd or tape. The speed at the start is quite slow. The subject continues running between the two lines, turning when signaled by the recorded beeps. After about one minute, a sound indicates an increase in speed, and the beeps will be closer together. This continues each minute (level). If the line is not reached in time for each beep, the subject must run to the line turn and try to catch up with the pace within 2 more ‘beeps’. Also, if the line is reached before the beep sounds, the subject must wait until the beep sounds. The test is stopped if the subject fails to reach the line (within 2 meters) for two consecutive ends. There are several versions of the test, but one commonly used version has an initial running velocity of 8.5 km/hr, which increases by 0.5 km/hr each minute. Another version starts at 8.0 km/hr, then up to 9.0 km/hr for level 2 and then increases by 0.5 km/hr (more on test variations, and see Beep test video examples).

• scoring: The athlete's score is the level and number of shuttles (20m) reached before they were unable to keep up with the recording. Record the last level completed (not necessarily the level stopped at). This norms table below is based on personal experience, and gives you a very rough idea of what level score would be expected for adults, using the standard Australian beep test version. There is a more detailed table of norms for the beep test. This level score can be converted to a VO2max equivalent score using this calculator. You may also wish to download the Beep Test Recording Sheet.

	men	women
excellent	> 13	> 12
very good	11 - 13	10 - 12
good	9 - 11	8 - 10
average	7 - 9	6 - 8
poor	5 - 7	4 - 6
very poor	< 5	< 4

• target population: this test is suitable for sports teams and school groups, but not for populations in which a maximal exercise test would be contraindicated.
• validity: The correlation to actual VO_2max scores is high (see some of these references). There are published VO2max score equivalents for each level reached, which can be determined using this Beep VO2max Calculator.
• reliability: The reliability of the beep test would depend on how strictly the test is run and the practice allowed for the subjects. There are also other factors which can affect performance, which need to be controlled if possible. See point below.
• factors to consider: Although the beep test is primarily a fitness test of the aerobic energy system, there are a range of other factors that can affect performance in the test and are are important to consider. These include: running efficiency and turning technique, anaerobic capacity, motivation and social dynamics, motor skills and cognitive ability (especially in children), environmental differences, clothing and running surfaces, test familiarization and instructions, the purpose and context of testing
• advantages: Large groups can perform this test all at once for minimal costs. Also, the test continues to maximum effort unlike many other tests of endurance capacity.
• disadvantages: Practice and motivation levels can influence the score attained, and the scoring can be subjective. As the test is often conducted outside, the environmental conditions can affect the results.
•  

 At the end of the test , Tyzton was the last man standing. This is thanks to his training during the holidays with Nick Kidd. He got 11.2. Amos was 2nd thanks to his China training.

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• Most of the players had overseas training during the school break.
  
  Amos trained in Dongguan, China. Silvi trained for 1 mth in Indonesia. Her fitness and playing has improved greatly.
  
  Kai Jie Teoh also had training in Malaysia. He has lost a bit of weight after training in sweltering Malaysia.
 

All the players look like they are ready to go.

At the end of last week's training, Kay took great  effort to remind the players of the need for manners and to acknowledge their team, manager and coach. What about the umpire?

The players have been told to send thank yous to sponsors.

We are lucky to have Mozart Cafe sponsor the team with the purchase of Refresh water.

Their website is at www.cafemozart.com.au  

The owner Shen, is a good friend of mine and a golfing mate. Do support their cafe.

Thanks also to Murdoch Pines Driving range for their sponsorship yet again. Their website is at http://www.murdochgolf.com.au/

This is the 2nd time they have sponsored a state team by purchasing Refresh water. Do go and see their great driving range if you are a golfer.

Even Irma Botha purchased some water for her office. Thanks to be sent to her too.

However, we have to know that all the water were provided by Refresh Water. Their website is at http://www.refreshpurewater.com.au/

Henry Heng from Refresh Water is also running for the Upper House. His profile is at http://henryheng.wordpress.com/about/


Do support him if you are in his  constituency. His company's water sponsorship has been great for the state teams.


We should also thank the Pua brothers for organising delivery of the water. They are always supportive of the state teams.

Kay has done a great job in fund raising. Every cent raised makes it easier for the player's parents.


After the beep test, there was a strength test. Titus, Amos and Tyzton tried to outlast each other. Each player was asking their opponent to give up.  Amos finally won the strength test.

Titus, Amos and Tyz trying to outlast each other

Tyz and Serena v Julia and Edward

It was great for Ryan to organise the test so that the players know where they have to improve.

There were several matches played for the rest of the training session. YuLi is trying to see the best doubles combination. It will be tough finding the right combination.

This is the year of the Snake. Hope it bodes well for the Under 17s team. I have just found out that there are at least 20 teams this year in the comp. This comp will be tough.  There may be 4 teams just from New Zealand.

I am also wondering how the team will be able to cope at the comp re their meals. Apparently only Susanna and Touk Krei will be going. I do not even know if they will be staying with the team.

At the end of the session, Titus thanked the coach , manager and Ryan on behalf of the team. It is great to get the players to say thank you for the team. I think all the players will have to take turns saying thank you till the captain is announced.

Kay asked for high fives from all the players. This could become a Under 17s tradition at the end of training.