Day 4: August 2nd

First I want to say HAPPY 12th BIRTHDAY to Ethan Merrill. It is difficult to spend your birthday away from friends and family but thankfully Ethan has his Dad here to make him feel right at home.

Sorry Coach Owen but our Bus Driver today was too funny and the joke was a good one. Fatherhood looks good on you!

Today we welcomed in a true English Summer day. After three days of blue skies and warm temperatures, we awoke to grey skies and rain. I knew it had been going too well.

Luckily, there is no soccer planned for the day. Unfortunately, all of the teams are headed into Brighton Pier but more of that to come. First, we headed to the cafeteria for 8:30am breakfast. Here is a shot of the Lancing College Cafeteria at a quiet moment.

Most of the kids at Lancing feel like they are living straight out of a Harry Potter movie. Everything has that Hogwarts feel about it.

After breakfast the groups have classroom seminars which is perfect given the rainy day. The boys and girls alternate between an hour speaking with a Brighton & Hove  Albion Team Players and a sport psychology lecture.
Mark Sullivan has a Masters Degree is Sports Psychology and is also on the coaching staff at Brighton & Hove Albion. He delivered a session on confidence, state of mind, mentality and imagery.

All of the Players have a Confidence Cup filled out by their peers listing positive qualities. It helps keep a positive mental state and Mark recommends the kids keep it in their soccer bag for future boosts of needed encouragement.

The girls also have a question and answer session with Faye Baker and Leah Samain. Faye is the number one goalie for the Brighton & Hove Albion Women's Team which will play in the FA WSL this coming season following promotion last season with a league and playoff victory. Leah is also a keeper for the Women's Team as well as a coach for the U14 girls group this week at their training sessions. The girls got to ask questions about women's soccer in the UK compared to America, discuss career soccer paths as well as force her to try her best American accent. It was great to see the girls interacting with a female pro up close and personal. Good role models are so important in a female athletes life.

After, the seminars the Players quickly went to the dorms for their rain gear and on to the Coach Bus headed for Brighton Pier.

A little rain ( at times it was honestly NOT a little) couldn't stop the group from enjoying some arcade games and rides.
First thing, however, everyone was happy to be off campus and able to get some non cafeteria food. Milkshakes, ice cream and Fish and Chips beat out most packed provided lunches.

When is say "fish and chips" I should clarify that although a few brave souls went with the fish, most of us opted for the chicken bites and chips 😀
Most of the boys stuck to the arcade and indoor games winning prizes and staying dry.

While the girls braved the outside and tried a few rides before the heavy rain hit.

Eventually, the rain really starting coming down and we all abandoned the pier for some indoor retail therapy to relax and dry out before getting back on the bus for Lancing College and Ardingly College.

After a wet bus ride home, everyone rushed to change clothes and eat before settling in to the Players Lounge for the night. The rain prohibited an outdoor evening activity so the Players voted to enjoy the Players Lounge and watch the Liverpool vs Athletico Madrid game. Regulation time ended in a tie but the penalty shootout went Athletico's way. An evening spent in the Players Lounge also meant an introduction of the snack bar.

Most of the Players enjoyed something sweet while watching the game, playing video games, foosball, table tennis and just hanging out with one another. I don't envy the poor Sports Tours Europe staff as they wrangle these kids for lights out.
Tomorrow looks to be a better weather day with chances of rain and the kids will be back on the field for training in the morning and games in the afternoon.