Final touch – Bergen

Last training camp before the first competition with the team. We’re in Bergen (the blue sky and the shadows are photoshopped). We started the day with a nice message from our first supporter, Per Thorkildsen, the president of the Norwegian rugby federation. We practiced our passes, went through setup at kick-offs, scrums and line-outs, had a game run. After lunch, a tough fitness session ran my Mats, our new assistant manager and S&C advisor, we finished with calls and set pieces.

We’re ready with our selection, looking forward to Amsterdam 7s in two weeks. We have a captain, Karoline, and a vice-captain, Ragnhild. We’re ready!

Thanks to Mats for his great help, and to Regine, our physio for the day.

Getting closer – Oslo

Training camp in Oslo (clouds are photoshopped). Two master classes, with Brunzie for scrummaging technique, and with Bea for Laws in rucks and line-outs. We also worked on passing skills, fitness, line-outs and back moves. Great from Brunzie and Bea to share their expertise with us.

The squad is narrower now, we are below 20 players, all good players! Selection will be hard.

Back to rugby – Stavanger

Back to rugby after a 5 years’ break, with the women’s national team. First training camp in Stavanger, coaching together with Trude, with great help from Viliame. A tough challenge for the coaches to start with, having to learn the names of over 35 players. Then worked in groups on passing skills, team play in defense, attitudes in contact situations and support. Lunch break was followed by wrestling, pick-and-go, and tackling drills, the intensity was driven by the competitive and fighting spirit of all.

Last session was on defense and open play.

For me, it was my first training since the European university championship in Sofia back in 2013. It was in parts like cycling – you never forget, and in parts quickly realizing that it’s not that easy! The players didn’t stop developing while I was on a break, they actually got much better. Recycling programs and drills from old training camps will not be enough.