Bologna, Italy, September 23, 2018 - There are many ways to warm up before a volleyball match and it is obviously important to ‘warm up’ not only the body, but the spirit too. This is what Team Australia have been trying to do before their Pool F matches at the FIVB Men’s World Championship 2018.
There are athletes who warm up by playing two against two. There are those who improvise and end up showing good football skills. There are also those, who during the warming up take on a sport that identifies them with the place they are coming from. Maybe that motivates them to represent their country even better.
This is the case of Australia. When the players around head coach Mark Lebedew have free time during the summer, they have some fun by playing rugby or cricket – two very popular sports in Australia. They continued with this activity during the FIVB Men’s World Championship too.
Australian captain Paul Carroll and his teammates are playing strong teams such as Brazil, Belgium and Slovenia in the second round of the World Championship and before their matches they always start their warm up fully inspired and with a positive vibe.
Using the Mikasa ball, they enjoy some moments of improvised cricket play. One rubber ball, two small chairs, taken ‘on loan’ from the ball retrievers for the creation of the wicket – all this and the smiles on the faces of the fans in PalaDozza, is enough for the Australians to have short cricket ‘matches’ before the start of their own duties in volleyball.
Batting with the rubber roller of the physiotherapist - the one on which they usually roll their backs to the ground, the Australian players ventured into knocking down the improvised wicket, receiving applauses from the supporters.
The Volleyroos have contributed a lot to the creation of a wonderful atmosphere in PalaDozza during the official matches as well. The reserve players have been delivering a great show during the timeouts of their matches too – interacting with the public and showing special, rather improved, yet funny and entertaining choreographies.