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For Australian Steelers fans who are superstitious, there is plenty to be optimistic about before next week’s World Wheelchair Rugby Championships if the Steelers’ journey to Europe is anything to go by.
Ahead of their World Championship opener in Vejle, Denmark on October 11, the Steelers are feeling relaxed, healthy and injury-free at their training camp at the AIS European Training Centre in Varese, Italy after their uneventful trip from Australia began on Saturday. The contrast from two months ago could not be starker.
Before their World Championship warm-up event in early August, the same journey created utter chaos.
Flight delays, misdirected luggage, damaged wheelchairs and equipment, an 18-hour drive to replace a missed flight connection, a fire near their accommodation, two squad members infected with Covid and mandatory seven-day isolation periods all featured on an even longer list of challenges faced by the Steelers when they travelled to Denmark, via Varese, for the Musholm Cup. To make matters worse, they were defeated in all six of their matches.
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Speaking from Varese this week, a noticeably relaxed Australian captain Chris Bond said the previous trip had made the Steelers stronger and, while he was enjoying the smooth trip so far, nothing is being taken for granted.
“Until we strap up for game one, there is always the risk of Covid or something else happening so we’re not feeling complacent about it, but already, just the shift of having things go our way after the last trip here has boosted everyone’s mood,” Bond said.
“We know we have the expertise and the resources here to take care of us if something changes, but everyone is in really good spirits so far because things are going well.
“We have been doing a lot of work in bringing the team together and with an emphasis on bonding as a new squad and that is already paying dividends in our training sessions.
“Everyone is getting on famously and we’re kind of ready to start beating up other teams now and not ourselves anymore [during training].”
Set to make his 210th international appearance for the Steelers in their opening match against Brazil on October 11, Bond will have the honour of captaining his country for the first time at a major tournament.
He moves into the captaincy vacated by fellow 3.5 powerhouse Ryley Batt, who remains a vital weapon in the Steelers’ arsenal as a 318-game veteran.
Chris Bond is ready to lead Australia in Vejle! The experienced 3.5 and 2x Paralympic Gold Medalist will captain Australia as they pursue their 2nd World Title and push to get back onto the podium! https://t.co/UHBdJpXWtD pic.twitter.com/qWtxlKJKRp
— World Wheelchair Rugby (@ww_rugby) October 7, 2022
“I’m pretty excited now to hit the court and have that role,” Bond said. “It’s going to be a bit weird going out on court first. We did the dress rehearsal yesterday in terms of leading the team out and I’m sure I’ll get used to it.
“I feel well supported by the playing group and the coaching staff. Ryley, who has been a good mate of mine for a long time, is backing me as well which gives me a lot of confidence in my ability.
“It’s not too hard, we’ve got a really good bunch of hard-working and talented people here. I’ll always try to lead by example on the court and then off the court, be here to support the guys collectively, not just the playing group. The playing group and staff are always one team as the Steelers.”
The Australians depart Varese for the Danish city of Vejle on Sunday and will be aiming to feature in the gold medal match at the fourth consecutive World Championship.
With silver medals in Vancouver 2010 and Sydney 2018, Odense in Denmark in 2014 was the setting for their first-ever World Championship win with Bond playing a starring role.
For superstitious Steelers fans, the optimistic signs are there.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CjbUP0_r5V4/
Australian Steelers – Fixtures (times in AEDT)
Tues Oct 11 @ 6:00pm – AUS vs BRA
Wed Oct 12 @ 12:45am – AUS vs CAN
Thurs Oct 13 @ 3:00am – AUS vs DEN
Thurs Oct 13 @ 6:00pm – AUS vs COL
Fri Oct 14 @ 12:45am – AUS vs JPN
Oct 14-16 – Finals Fixtures TBC
Visit the 2022 Wheelchair Rugby World Championship hub for more information.
By: Tim Mannion, Paralympics Australia
Posted: 7 October 2022
