As the Sunshine Coast Storm U14 girls’ rep soccer team continue their fantastical, undefeated journey this year, coach Trina Giesbrecht continues to look for new ways to punish – or increase the fitness and variety for – her team.
After the also undefeated and incredible U18 girls soccer team were recently welcomed to the Sunshine Coast Boxing Club in Gibsons by boxers Randy Hollett and George Vourtsis – who run the gym – it seemed appropriate for the younger troupe of soccer stars to try the legendary training sessions.
The class started out with a nervous tension as the unknown of what was about to happen hit coach Giesbrecht and the girls. They began with some skip rope work to warm up, repetitions of four-minute sets to began the burn were repeated over and over. Their faces began to show the look of being humbled from the intense cardio.
The team then moved on to some bag work to get a sense of the true nature of a boxing gym workout – and learn another valuable skill.
Next, Hollett flipped playing cards from a deck to randomize the various exercises.
“Seven burpees girls, let’s go, eight jumping jacks girls, let’s go,” Hollett said, turning over card after card. “Ten squats ladies, keep going, push it now, keep it up.”
They all were pushed to the limit every single time.
As the cloth ladder came out on the floor, the quick foot skills would be next on the list of body burning challenges. The girls excelled here and showed why they are wicked on the field – their footwork is second nature.
The great feelings of accomplishment and sheer exhaustion were plain to see on the girls’ faces by the end of the workout. On the gym wall it says, “Never Give Up” and the girls gave it their all.
The Storm will continue with that intensity throughout their season. Their next home game will be at Brothers Park in Gibsons on Oct. 30 at 12:30 p.m. – just before Halloween. Come out if you dare and see why this group of girls is scaring mainland teams every single week.
