National Basketball League’s South-East Melbourne Phoenix returns to training
It was one-on-one, there was social distancing, temperatures were taken before training and the basketballs washed constantly — but boy it felt good as NBL’s South-East Melbourne Phoenix got back to training.
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Wantirna-based National Basketball League club South-East Melbourne Phoenix returned to training today, kicking off preparations for its second national league season.
Players trained in one-on-ones with coaching staff to comply with social distancing regulations, with pre-training temperature testing, hand sanitising and the washing of basketballs among the safety precautions put in place at the club’s State Basketball Centre training headquarters.
Phoenix star Mitch Creek trained strongly and was excited to be back preparing for the coming season.
“Anytime you get to come back to training is always a blessing. It’s been quite a while out for a lot of people,” he said. “It’s amazing just to see everyone here. To walk into a building and have a lot of energy.
“To be back on court, see the boys, see the staff and see everyone here is obviously phenomenal. Just being around your mates is, bar none, the best thing of all.
“We all had separate ends … different times, different training strategies, but at the same time we get to be here together and all have fun.”
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Phoenix head coach Simon Mitchell said the high level of precaution at the facility was worth it just to get back to doing what he loves.
“Coming through, we had our temperature taken, hands washed and came on through,” he said. “We had a questionnaire to fill out as well. It was very formal but safe, which is most important to make sure the players are healthy.
“It wasn’t really weird, it was exciting. I jumped out of bed today and skipped to the car and couldn’t wait to get here. It was really good to see the fellas again. It’s been a long time but I was really enthusiastic about coming to see the guys.
“We can only do individual sessions, no contact. One coach, one player. So lots of shots up and a little bit of work on the lungs for the guys.”