Thirty nine boys and girls from the Happy Valley-Goose Bay Minor Soccer Association recently traveled to England for what can best be described as an eight day Football experience of a lifetime.
The two teams of girls, sponsored by Subway and Grey Rock, and the boys team sponsored by the Woodward Group of Companies spent the last eighteen months training and fund raising in order to visit the original home of World Football.
The teams played two games against British opposition on first class grass fields holding their own very nicely against very physical and skillful opposition. All three teams improved tremendously as the week progressed reminding us just how important quality competition is.
Traveling parents and children were able to watch professional games, Stoke v Arsenal, Aston Villa v Everton, Nottingham Forest v Wigan and Leicester City v Blackpool. The players were treated like kings and queens in front of forty thousand spectators at each game and were even able to complete an honor guard for the pro players and take part in a penalty shoot out for charity.
Additional activities included a full day at Alton Towers Theme Park….a family day at the horse races….a visit to Warwick Castle where numerous re-enactments were observed taking the children back hundreds of years….Professional coaching at Leicester City’s home training ground….a tour of Leicester City Football Stadium….a karaoke night….an outdoor training session (boot camp style) at Bradgate Park with an ex British Forces PTI….Skittles fun night….shopping in Leicester City Centre….two days in London….London musical Shrek….Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace….many rides on a luxurious double decker coach and, of course, the London Underground…. before flying home on September 3rd.
Tour Director Trevor Paine expressed gratitude to the Leicester City Football Club for looking after our association and to Ian Marshall Tours and Camps. Chris Hodges, our UK liaison was instrumental in making sure our group of parents and children were so well looked after. Trevor commented that the children and the parents were simply amazing. The eight days were extremely busy from early morning to late night and to take seventy-two people to England and not experience a single problem was absolutely incredible. The success of this tour was down to the many, many hours of hard work by the management team of Gail Rowsell, Michelle Pittman and Maureen Baker, supported by Lisa Hutchings, Paul Motty and Pat Loder and the coaching staff, Gary Dewhurst and Harry Lucci. Congratulations to everyone on a wonderful tour. We hope the memories stay with you always.
