The Black Sticks womens hockey team and the Oly Whites mens football side were the first big groups to arrive at the New Zealand base in the London Olympic Village. Both are in for brief stays with the football team jetting in after two tough games in Asia, and tomorrow then head to Australia via Germany to play the UAE side before returning to head to Coventry where they will prepare for their first match at the weekend. The Women's Black Sticks have come in from playing in Europe, and will spend a few days organising their accreditation and then training at the playing venue. They will then head back away for their final preparation camp before returning for the start of their competition. Theres now 10 days until competition kicks off here in London. Football captain, Ryan Nelsen and coach Neil Emblen had a session with New Zealand media at the Main Press Centre, a massive structure that also includes the International Broadcast Centre. Nelsen, now a London resident with his move to Tottenham last year, said it is a buzz to come in to the Olympic Village. We spend our lives in the pretty hardened atmosphere of professional football which is all business. So to be part of the wider New Zealand team is amazing and the support here is very special. Also in the village is white water kayaker Luuka Jones has arrived in the village and already trekked out to her venue which an hour from the village. She will be joined today by teammate Mike Dawson. Yesterday was the first day for the Olympic bus network to operate although the trip from Heathrow to the village in East London took longer than expected with the special Olympic lanes not coming into operation until next week. However for those London first-timers, the trip takes in all of the major landmarks of London including Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London. The operations and support staff are now also in place, none more so that Natalie Tong from NZOC, who among other duties was responsible for the team gear and uniform. She has been in UK for a month, after having to pack more than 200 cases of clothing and gear with each individual receiving around 50 different items of clothing. The gear has already met with acclaim from athletes.
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