Newspaper
I'm not sure why I posted this.. I guess its so that I can gloat. :) I mean not everyone gets to be interviewed by the newspaper. :) jk...
I'll try to take a picture if the article if they print it.
Hey Gavin, I got a few quick questions for you for my article on you. Be
honest and detailed. I know it's rather long, but try and get it back to
me by the weekend please.
1. You've just recently returned from the youth Pan Ams...how was the
experience? How did Canada West do? How did you, individually do?
The youth Pan-Ams were amazing. I got to see several different cultures and play teams other that I hadn't played before.
The team from Canada West was expected to come in the top 4 and unfortunately placed 5th. We lost in our crossover game against Mexico. Although we were a better team, Mexico had the Olympic seating pool near capacity and I think the team was in shock from the crowd.
Personally I didn't play that well at the beginning of the tournament. In the last few games I managed to play much better. My final game for 5th against Argentina was by far the best. When the game was tied with 30 seconds left, I managed to score from hole after receiving a perfect pass from a teammate.
2. Just to clarify for people who might not understand the 'levels' of
water polo, what level (youth, junior, or senior national) are you and how
far away are you from the top 'level'?
I play for the youth national team, which is U18. The junior is one level up and then of course the senior team is after that. I hope to move up to the junior team and play in the World Championships this summer.
3. You are now training 12 times a week. What's the intensity like at
practice? What does a typical practice consist of?
I usually do one hour of swimming in the morning and I have 2-1/2 to 3 1/2 hour practices in the evenings. Most practices start out with some running or dry land, then 2-4km swimming. We then go onto passing and shooting and start to run drills. Practices are high intensity unless an important tournament is coming up, in which case we tend to scrimmage more.
4. What are your immediate goals in the sport? Long-term goals?
My most immediate goal is to make the team for the Junior Worlds this summer.
My long time goal is and always has been to represent my country some day in the Olympics.
5. How do you manage to balance the demands of school with water polo?
I have to admit that school sometimes gets cut short and I apologize to those teachers. It is really hard to balance both and to do so you have to make sacrifices. I don't watch T.V. unless I'm on the treadmill, and I don't play computer games at all.
6. What do you enjoy doing outside of water polo and school?
I really enjoy Dj-ing. I have been doing it for about 3 years now. I don't go out and play at clubs yet but I'm working on that. Recently I have been working on putting up a website for my music. I also enjoy the outdoors a lot and have been camping and hiking since I was very young.
7. When did you start? When did it become more than 'just a sport'? Why
did you start?
I started 5 years ago for fun because my swim club offered it. My brother and father suggested I try it out so I did. I don't know when it became more than a sport.
8. Height and eight?
I think I'm about 6'4 and 220lb but I don't really pay attention or keep track so I may be off by abit.
9. Any notable statistics from the last few years? Notable accomplishments
(team and individual)?
I have received several tournaments MVP's and collected gold, silver and bronze from all over Canada. My 5th place in the PanAms would definitely be a top achievement of mine.
10. How good (right now) are your chances to get to Beijing in 2008? How
would you feel if you ever got the opportunity? How badly do you want to
go? How much work will it take to get to Beijing? Do you feel that you
have a good shot at going? Is it always in the back of your mind that
you're inching closer to the Olympics?
If I made the junior worlds and provided that I work, work, and then work harder it is possible I could go to the Olympics in 2008. How badly do I want to go? It’s my dream. My coach told me that working hard gets you far, but nowhere near the best. The best athletes work when others give up and I have to try to do that if I want to go to Beijing. I really can't imagine the amount of work it will require to go. I'm just going to take it step by step and keep waking up earlier than everyone else. It’s hard to say how good my chances are... Ask me again in a year or two. When I go into a tournament or train I don't think about the Olympics or Worlds. It’s when I get up on a Monday before 6am that it helps me get out of bed and that’s because I know I have to get up or else I will never succeed in achieving my goals.
Goodluck with your article and please don't hesitate to email me again if you have any more questions.
Gavin
The Canadian girls came 1st and 2nd