The last two days have gone fairly well for the team.
But firstly, I cannot go any further without congratulating one of our coaches who last night became New Zealand's latest Master, Master Trotter, who was promoted to 7th Dan with Honours last night from Grand Master Bos and Grand Master Van de Mortel. The team honoured Master Trotter with a standing ovation walk in to our team meeting last night and it was lovely having Mrs. Parrant from the board there to pass on their congratulations to him as well.
Back to the last few days, we have been able to use the training hall a couple of times now, which everyone has enjoyed getting back to wooden floors and mats. Luckily, we have been able to get some fairly good space both times.
On the first day we were able to create a dividing wall with our bags since there were not too many teams here yet so NZ had one half and Canada had the other half of the hall.
On the second day we had mats in the hall and when Canada finished, we were able to get a ring of mats for the NZ team, whilst England, Germany, and a couple of smaller teams were in the hall training as well. It is amazing how many you can fit in a small space, while so much dynamic movement is happening.
We aren't going to train today, since we have weigh in at lunchtime, and this is located in the training hall. With all the other countries having now arrived, space will be even tighter.
Accreditation has now been completed and all passes are checked, secured and ready to pass out to the team members for weigh in today.
Weigh in went really well, we were fully prepared with the team in dobok pants and team shirts, and with their required documents in hand they were processed in a matter of minutes. It was worth the monitoring and daily weigh in's prior to registration as everyone was within weight, and all received green lights first time around.
In the down time, the team have been practicing our Haka, which is going well. Everyone is enjoying going into Porec to shop, do their washing, or simply have lunch and looking around. Some of the supporters have been enjoying going out on boats to cruise around the islands. It has been great to see so many enjoying themselves and getting along. They have really been supporting the athletes well.
We have just had our last team meeting before the World Champs start. Hopefully everyone sleeps well tonight, we are looking forward to supporting everyone through the last step in their journey this year, no matter what the outcome we are proud of what everyone has achieved, and know they will do us all proud with their efforts.
Signing off till tomorrow,
The NZ Team
5 October 2025
NZ Team update from Porec.
After a big trip across the world, including 23hrs flying, 4 1/2 hrs in transit in Doha, and finally a 4hr bus ride from Zagreb, the team all arrived in Porec. After having lunch and settling in some of the boys enjoyed a game of volleyball to shake off the travel, while others enjoyed a walk or simply looking around the area to get there bearings. I think it is easy to say that by 8pm pretty much everyone was in bed hoping for a good nights sleep.
On Friday we gave the team a day off to recover from all the travel, and everyone dispersed to explore. Some made their way into Porec old town, others went on a boat ride, and some even hired cars to go visit surrounding areas and towns, which was great to see. It was a lovely sunny day, a little bit warmer than at home, but there was a chilly breeze reminding you it is autumn, however not enought to stop everyone from enjoying a swim, or explore around the area.
At the request of some of the team members we did hold our first training session which was on one of the hotel decks overlooking the bay. It lasted for only an hour from 5pm and was self managed but enjoyed by everyone who was there.
Saturday was another day of exploring for those who wanted to see more of Porec and the surrounding area, or rest for those who just wanted a break. Not as much sunshine but warmer in some ways. Before the training session today Haka practice was put on the schedule. Connor had found a nice secluded spot behind one of the hotels which was perfect to run through the haka, then they headed back to the hotel to more stable ground to have another training session which finished with a Happy Birthday song for DJ, as the first of the birthday's to be celebrated during this campaign.
The next few days will run fairly similarly, as we slowly ramp things up. The training hall opens tomorrow so the team will have a better surface to train on as they enter their final preparations for the World Champs starting Wednesday.
After a big trip across the world, including 23hrs flying, 4 1/2 hrs in transit in Doha, and finally a 4hr bus ride from Zagreb, the team all arrived in Porec. After having lunch and settling in some of the boys enjoyed a game of volleyball to shake off the travel, while others enjoyed a walk or simply looking around the area to get there bearings. I think it is easy to say that by 8pm pretty much everyone was in bed hoping for a good nights sleep.
