Oceania Champs, Seoul, Korea

In 2 weeks the wheelchair rugby team I play for, the New Zealand Wheel Blacks, will be heading to Seoul, South Korea to compete at the Oceania Champs. Not only are we trying to move our way back up the world rankings but we're aiming to secure a spot at the 2012 London Paralympics.

For the past year Peter Martin has been at the helm of the team as head coach. He's put in many hours of work alongside running his farm in the Waikato. His style of coaching has challenged us no end. We had our last training camp on the weekend and we are all buzzing at the thought of testing ourselves against some of the worlds best wheelchair rugby players. I haven't seen Pete so excited since he was given a pair of Velcro gloves for Christmas.

Its fair to say that Pete has his own way of coaching and he doesn't give a flying fish what other people think of him. He's a mans man. He can take criticism but will still do what he thinks is best. On many occasions have I disagreed with him but the respect Pete endears I kept my mouth shut and trusted that his plan would work. So far I'm confident that heading into Oceania we are in good hands and what he has instilled in us could be the difference.

We have a great mix of youthful flair and cockiness combined with veteran maturity. the old fella's in the team (me included) have a spring in our steps being surrounded by these young bucks. It's a whole lot of fun to be in this team & I think that's the most important thing for me. The youg bucks are pushing for my spot and I have to up my game to fend them off. It's great and satisfying when you can put them in their place and know that you've still go "it."

Oceania will be the toughest tournaments I've played in. Aussie is ranked 2nd in the world and Japan 3rd. We have to beat either of those two an make it to the final. A tough ask for us as we are ranked 9th. Not that that fact makes to much of a difference....its all on the day, aye. But only the top 2 from this tourney get to go to London. The result will determine my future. If we loose I feel my time playing internationally will come to an end....if we win I'll be proud to wear the silver fern at my 5th Paralympic Games.

I just wanna say a few thank you's before I go.

Loraine, Tim & Mike Archer, John, Jeremy & Tony the ref (& his wife), chur to Robbie & Kelvin, Jeffy, Paully Fallon, Rewiti and the other scout players. A huge thanks to Greg Lay and Cherie Porter. And how could I forget the biggest distractions....Rasa, Zuzana & Patricia.

Korea here we come.