AUSTRALIAN Deaf Football (ADF) team coach Rob Stanton said this week’s training camp in Blayney and Orange is one step in an ongoing program.
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The ADF team arrived in Blayney on Monday and had a training session yesterday morning before a second run at Orange’s Waratah sportsground yesterday afternoon.
They will do the same again today before playing a trial match against Orange Waratahs Western Premier League side tomorrow.
Stanton said the camp was a chance for the players to continue learning.
“This camp is about making the players a bit more aware of the system we’re implementing, the tactical and technical stuff,” Stanton said.
“We want to see improvement in the players and they have a greater understanding of their roles.
“When we play the game against Waratahs, if we can see some improvement in those areas, we’ll be satisfied. If we get a result, that’s just an added bonus.”
This is the second time the ADF team has held a camp in Orange after they did so last year as part of their Asia Pacific Championships preparation.
Stanton said he hoped this year’s camp was as worthwhile as the 2011 visit.
In last year’s trial match, the ADF secured a 2-0 win over Waratahs but Stanton is expecting a tougher encounter on Thursday.
“I think they underestimated us a little bit last year,” he said of Waratahs.
“I’m sure this year they’ll be more aware, they’re probably better prepared. So it’s going to be a tough game.”
Stanton made special mention of the Waratah field, which the ADF side trained on yesterday.
“I tell you, the field looks really great at the moment. The good thing about that is both teams will be able to play good football which is a real bonus,” he said.
“I’m very happy because last time we were here they said they’d get it right and they certainly have done that. It means we can try and implement some of the things we’re trying to work on. Hopefully it will be a good day and people will come out and have a look.”
Stanton and the ADF team are joined by goalkeeper coach Frank Mikuletic.
Thursday’s match will be played at Waratah Sports Ground at 2pm.