Day 10: August 8th

Every one woke up looking forward to a last round of games. The forecast called for cloudy skies with periods of showers. A perfect day for soccer.
All of the boys teams had an early wake up call to eat breakfast and get on the bus to make the 141 mile trip to Norwich for the early afternoon game times. Today would prove to be the toughest competition. But the boys looked forward to getting off site and seeing some more of the English country side. Throughout the trip the boys won and lost but gained invaluable lessons in playing TOUGH and working as a team.

The older boys team battled hard and beat the Norwich side 3-1. All in all it was great competition for the older boys throughout the week and really solidified and brought them closer as a team.

The U 14 girls and U 15 girls traveled to the Brighton & Hove Albion training facility to play matches against both a Brighton girls team and a team from Bournmouth. Today proved to be the toughest competition for both groups making a great day of hard fought last games. The U15 girls had some easier games earlier in the week but were able to finish the trip off with some tough competition and really show their strength and ability with a final hard fought 1-0 win. The U14 girls group finished really came together and finished off their tour with wins against both teams as well.

In the evening the U16 Blackbear group traveled over to Lancing College to eat dinner and later play the women from Lewis FC. Though they lost 4-3, it too was great competition. They were able to play a few ladies teams throughout the trip and really show how competitive girls soccer in America can be by playing up to and in most cases better than the English women team's ability. They should all be very proud of how the represented themselves and their Club this trip.

All of the boys teams attended the Norwich FC vs Swindon match at Carrow Road for the EFL Cup or English Football League Cup. This was a first round match in the Cup for all 92 league clubs, though premier league clubs don't begin play until round two. Since already out there for final matches, all the boys got to experience another stadium and see Norwich beat Swindon 3-2. Swindon scored first in the 25th minute but by halftime Norwich FC was up 3-1. A goal for Swindon in the 62nd minute made the end of the game tight and great to watch but  wasn't enough in the end and Norwich came out with the win.
With all of the boys away for matches, the U14 girls came back to Lancing College and took full advantage of an empty dorm, making use of the ping long table, video games and overall quiet.

In the late afternoon before dinner they had a girls afternoon of relaxing and facials while also celebrating Zena Fitzgerald's birthday tomorrow with streamers and party poppers.
In the evening everyone snuggled under blankets as a group in the common room and watched a movie.

Tomorrow everyone will be up for their last breakfast and then back to their rooms to organize, clean and pack before a closing ceremony by the staff and onto the Coach buses back to the airport.
Believe it or not and ready or not... you get your child back tomorrow!!!!
We would like to thank all of the staff from Sports Tours Europe for the amazing attention and care they gave in keeping all of the kids responsible and safe. Everyone grew to love them and they will be missed by all.