Maximum, honest effort has been a theme for the GC SUNS during the first week of the 2XU high performance training camp in Arizona.

There is no where to hide, and the challenges keep coming in an environment 7000 feet above sea level and in Oxygen levels less than half than those being enjoyed at home.

Head Coach Guy McKenna pleased with commitment and overall condition of the 2013 List.

“The challenge for us is to endure, the first week has been really good, I have been really happy with their effort and to be honest they have had a real crack. Some blokes have shaped up, some have shaped down, but that’s fine as long as you offer honest effort, we can now gauge where you are at and now we can start implementing plans around that. Some blokes are going to be pushed this week, but the whole group in general it’s going to be tough” McKenna said.

After a week of time trials, Canyon treks, orienteering and mountain biking, the squad had been rewarded with a days rest, however on their return were put through a bruising Israeli combat training inspired wrestling session aimed at developing skills and building contact confidence.

“I think the boys enjoy that stuff, but it’s about getting them conditioned for it and with such a young group they haven’t done a lot of it so the quicker we can expose them to that, the better their confidence, the more they are able to embrace the challenges through the course of the season.”

“It’s just getting that feeling and almost embracing that physical contest and that’s what I think our group needs to adjust to and I think certainly based on what I have seen so far they are relishing it, they are loving it, a few split lips and busted noses and all that sort of stuff but there are still smiles on their faces.”

A huge fan of the UFC (Ultimate fighting Championship) , GC SUNS skipper Gary Ablett proved too good for his determined team mates, edging out Danny Stanley is an energy sapping and entertaining final battle.

McKenna saying Ablett demonstrated the mental aptitude required to succeed as an elite level during the wrestling challenge.

“Gaz has got a history of it and obviously because he is so good at it and has got a very low centre of gravity, very strong through the core, not too many blokes can match him.”

McKenna has warned his charges that week two of the camp will be even tougher as they look to push the squad both mentally and physically during their final seven days at altitude.

“The first week it was new and exciting and now the second week, like our second season if you like is going to be a grind.”