A group of students from five different sports participated in a Sports Camp which took place from the 29th of October till the 2nd of November in Portugal. Students who practice; triathlon, cycling, weightlifting, table tennis and athletics had the opportunity to train with Portuguese coaches and athletes in different venues in Portugal.
The Malta National Sport School made sure that the students will experience a taste of the life of an athlete, while still incorporating time for their academic duties and homework as well as some time to learn about the culture of Portugal.
Our school always highlights the importance of nutrition and healthy eating as part of an athlete’s lifestyle, and this is also emphasized during sports camps. The students were provided with a selection of fruits, cereals, yogurts, and healthy proteins every morning during breakfast, before starting their busy day. A buffet lunch was always available after the morning training session, with a selection of fresh salads, rice, pasta, fish, meat poultry and a selection of fresh fruit and healthy desserts. The same variety of healthy food was also provided for every dinner which took place after their evening training session. Water and fruit juice was always available for the students during their stay. Students were free to choose their own food, yet still guided on the best foods to choose for their performance and physical recovery.
The most interesting part of such sports camps is the opportunity for the kids to practice their sports in different venues and environments than they are used to. The cycling group had the opportunity to ride a bike on a velodrome for their first time. They were guided by their coach and other foreign coaches on which bikes to choose and how to prepare for the activity. On another day, cyclists also had the opportunity to experience the BMX racing track. Both cyclists and triathletes were driven to the countryside to experience a cross country session together with foreign coaches and other young athletes from Portugal.
Different equipped gyms, tracks and sports complexes were also experienced by our students from the athletics, table tennis and weightlifting group. During all experience students were always guided by their coaches as well as foreign coaches from Portugal.
Students also had the opportunity to train in a beautiful pool complex in the region as well as carry out a gymnastics session accompanied by an Olympian from Germany.
Every afternoon the students were allowed time to contact their parents and do the homework delivered to them by their teachers in class through ‘Teams’. This is important to maintain a good flow of their academic duties even while they are abroad. Students learn how to be responsible in managing their own time and tasks appropriately.
Cultural education is also an important part of every sports camp for the students to have a taste of the country’s culture and a glimpse of important historic places. Even though the weather was not in our favour, the students managed to visit the beautiful historic Porto and Aveiro.
It was an overall amazing experience for our students, most of whom were travelling in a sports camp with their friends for the first time. Such sports camps provide the students with opportunities to grow, exposing themselves to new sports settings and create childhood memories to treasure for a lifetime. Well done to all involved in the organization of this successful sports camp.
