A few new faces and a baby at camp

Posted: Thursday May 25, 2000 11:48 AM

Michelle Griffiths was part of the 1996 Olympic team that won Australia's first medal in basketball -- a bronze. An All-Star in Australia's professional leagues, the 6-foot-1 forward played for the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury in 1998. Griffiths missed the 1999 WNBA season because of pregnancy, but is now training with the Australian National Team, which looks to win gold when the Summer Games come to their home country in 2000. Check out Griffiths' diary each month on CNNSI.com

Phoenix, Arizona
May 24, 2000

I know, I know, it's been some time since my last diary. Things have really picked up for the Opals and our Olympic campaign. We (the squad of 18) all got together earlier this month in Melbourne for our first training camp this year. This was my first camp in two years, and I was a little apprehensive. But as the week went on I was fine. Although I did have a few hiccups along the way.

As you all know I have a little son -- Bailey. He's now 7 and half months old and just gorgeous (biased mom). He was at camp with me, which was quite an experience! My day started out by feeding him at 5 a.m., and then trying to get him to sleep for another two hours. After that I left him with our manager for 15 minutes, while I ran down to get breakfast (we were all staying at a hotel). As soon as I got back, I would pack Bailey's bag for training -- bottles, bibs, clothes, nappies, wipes, toys and everything else that goes along with a baby. Finally, I would try to get myself ready for a three-hour training session in the five minutes I had left.

While I was at training our manager was the nanny and did a great job. She also had help from the doctor, the physio, the spectators and even the reporters were there to lend a hand. They kept him busy by walking him around the court, singing, making faces at him and whatever else made him laugh.

When training was over, I would take him back to the hotel to feed him and put him down for a nap. I would leave him with the manager and run down for lunch. By the time I got back he was up and ready to go again. The afternoon training is much like the morning routine -- pack bag, get ready to go, go to training. After the afternoon session we would go back to the hotel and then to dinner.

Dinner was the time Bailey joins the whole team, and everyone gets a piece of him. He was loved by everyone. He's a good eater, so feeding him is not a problem. He eats solids now, and of course the food goes everywhere. But I think that's par for the course.

In between all of this, I was trying to organize my working visa for the States and running to the embassy while he was still sleeping. In the end and after a few days of chasing and a couple of stuff-ups I finally got it. It was a big load off my mind getting to the U.S. and playing in the WNBA.

I'm not sure if it's a good or bad thing, but having a baby with you during training camp drew a lot of attention. Photographers and writers were around all the time and Bailey even got in the newspapers a couple of times. After every training session we stretch down and he was brought to me to have photos taken. I did get a couple of copies!

Life was tough that week but one thing is for sure -- I got through it. The Opals really look good after two sessions with them I felt back in the groove. There are a few new faces on the squad and getting to know them was great. I think Tom (our coach) was quite happy with the week and we got a lot done. There were a few new offenses and defenses, but nothing we couldn't handle. You really could feel the positive energy regarding the Olympics.

This was the first "real" camp to lead up to the big event in Sydney. Of course, being the host country there will be pressure, but we are all doing our best to stay focused on the job at hand and what the team needs! The next camp is in June and the girls are playing against Russia, so I suppose it's not a camp, but a test series. I won't be there as I'm going to be here in the States playing in the WNBA with the Phoenix Mercury.

I'll keep you in touch.

-- Michelle

Proverb for this diary: The past is gone. The future hoped for is still absent. But the present is all yours!