Sports | Tuesday 5 April, 2016 4:36 am |

The Australian national synchronised skating team has re-routed its training base to Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City Ice Rink following the recent tragic events in Brussels.

The team was due to finish its preparations for the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championship to be staged from April 7 -9 in Budapest, Hungary, with a bonding tour that included a visit to Belgium for practice and sightseeing throughout the country.

The turn of events in Brussels has seen the team relocate to the UAE, where they arrived for a three-day training camp at the world-class facilities of Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi’s premier entertainment and sporting destination.

“It speaks volumes that using Zayed Sports City was top of mind for one of the world’s leading skating teams,” said Barry Bremner, General Manager of Zayed Sports City. “We’re proud that they chose us and it’s gratifying that we could accommodate them during this time.”

The Australian team’s relationship was enabled through an Australian ISU judge that has close ties with the UAE National Figure Skating Team, and who has been providing technical support and advice as the sport grows in the UAE. Their visit ahead of the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championship has been facilitated by the Emirates Skating Club and builds on the strong bond between the two nations.

“It’s an honor that they first thought of Emirates Skating Club for many reasons,” said Roquiya Cochran, Chief Operations Officer of Emirates Skating Club. “Firstly, that they felt safe and secure to reach out to us, and knowing they could depend on the club. And that they believe Zayed Sports City offered a venue that would work for them. We’re more than happy to help.”

The three-time Australian national champions, hailing from Boondall Synchronised Ice Skating Club in Brisbane, Queensland is known as ‘Nova’. Competing in the senior division since 2010, the team includes 17 ladies aged 16 to 32 from around Australia, and several team members have relocated from abroad to skate with the club. Following their training in Abu Dhabi, they will depart for the culminating competition in Budapest this week.

Nova skaters are known as being well disciplined, hard-working and dedicated athletes. Their weekly training program incorporates personal fitness sessions, off ice training, on ice training and sports psychology. 

“We were very fortunate that the Emirates Skating Club and Zayed Sports City assisted us with ice time and travel arrangements. We are indeed very grateful for the support and help during the last 10 days,” said Bev Donaghey, Nova’s Team Leader.

Zayed Sports City offers state-of-the-art facilities and is becoming an increasingly popular training destination for international teams. The complex includes over 32 sports, including football, paintball, tennis, bowling, ice skating and fitness centres.