Just like that, another week has passed. On Monday I was kindly reminded by Facebook that 5 years ago to the date (April 24th) I committed to Quinnipiac University. What a decision that turned out to be. All the learning, experiences, people, opportunities and so much more came from a decision made fairly blindly. All I know is that someone was looking out for me that day. And here I am 5 years later, heading down a path never imaginable before I even knew where or who Quinnipiac University was.
My week followed a similar flow to the rest of April. The continued training has been great, and although I had a few knocks and niggles this past week, I have still been training well and developing the new habits to become instinctual in my general play. As the time goes on, the tests are slowly approaching as I will hope to soon be outside but also playing a few preparation games prior to the trip in July. Playing in games will be a true test of my development from the last few months.
I worked my regular work schedule throughout the week and then on Saturday Jake and I were asked to help out field marshaling at a tournament that was run by Sockers FC. Bridges relationship with Sockers is pretty strong with both our coaches also coaching for the club, and we use their facilities to train at, so it was only right we were able to help out. We were given time to go home after we coached and before we began working to eat and gather as much wet weather gear we had and anything warm we had. Out came both of our suitcases as we dug deep for gloves, hats, rain jackets, the works. It was windy with driving rain and an air temperature of just above freezing. 
Not the ideal conditions to be wandering fields and watching games, but we stuck it out. Around 7.30pm a massive thunder clap and lightning strike hit within probably a mile of the fields and so that was the message to send everyone packing. However we stuck around, huddled around a gas fire under a big tent as we began to organize and then call each and every team with their updated schedule for the next days play. It was certainly an experience and I am just thankful to still have my toes and fingers attached.
By Saturday night I was exhausted and so a full day of rest on Sunday was much needed. The weather played into our lazy mood around the apartment and hopefully we are well rested for another big week of training and work.
The weeks seem to be flying by at this rate. And just like that, another one has been completed here in Wheaton. It was a week that showed how quickly things can change in the world of football. By Saturday, three of the lads in the apartment had all left for various footballing opportunities. It is great for them to be receiving opportunities to go train/trial/play for various teams around the world. But this has made for a bit of an empty apartment, however I am not complaining at all. I’m quite enjoying the simplicity of only having 2 others around and to schedule with.
ps the bank account. And this week I began coaching a 14yr old football player. He is a great kid with the desire to improve and develop, but it is his willingness to learn that will help him most in the long run, whether in football or life. So the two hours a week I spend coaching him will be memorable ones for me as I am able to share my knowledge and life experience with him as I look to develop him into a better player and person.
s not the most strenuous, its simply watching football and ensuring there are no disruptions from parents, coaches, players, report injuries, and work with the referees. Getting paid to watch football, I can’t complain!
Tuesday, I was straight back into training, and the intensity has risen into a new gear. Throughout the week the sessions were tough, and I have embraced that as I know it will only get me to a better place than where I am currently. Through my experiences over the past 10 months, I’ve continued to embrace the grind knowing that it will all be worth it in the end, and that is what keeps me going. It is a mentality that I have developed, through rejection and disappointment, but my drive and grit allow me to continue. Simply put, my mentality is to chase my dreams, something that so many young people fail to do and just opt for safety and comfort.
By Sunday, I was able to relax a little bit and enjoy the great spring weather that the greater Chicago Area is treating us with. We headed into Naperville to watch some academy games of u18s and u16s. It has happened to me a few times where I am always the one playing football, that I never really get to go and watch a live game of young players, so it was nice. As I mentioned earlier, connections are something that are very important to my opportunities in life, and today was no different. Nearly 6 years on from when I attended a camp at Northwestern University as I was looking at colleges for scholarships, I ran into Neil Jones, who at the time was an assistant coach at Northwestern, and who is originally from New Zealand. He is currently the head coach of Loyola Men’s Soccer team, just outside Chicago, and he was scouting the academy games for players for his team. We had a good catch up about all that had gone on in my career in the last 6 odd years and as always, it was just lovely to have another Kiwi around! You never know who you’ll bump into, so it’s always best to leave a good impression on people so that down the line when you may reconnect or bump into them, they are willing to help!
A very eventful and productive week began in Wheaton. The regular training routine along with coaching kept us busy. On Tuesday we had to drop James off in Chicago so Jacob and I took that as an opportunity to explore Chicago a little bit. It was good to take advantage of any opportunity we get to see the city and spend time there, and we did just th
at. Walking a nice loop, up the main street before heading across to the Bean and walking back down along the lakeside. We got to see a fair few things, but always more to see on another visit, hopefully when the weather gets warmer! Wednesday morning, we didn’t have a morning session and so we took advantage of the time to pick up another bunk bed frame from storage and build if for the apartment. The bedroom now has two full bunk beds in it, and looks complete, and surprisingly, not too crowded as many would expect.
On Saturday morning, I boarded a flight to Hartford, CT to visit all my friends back at Quinnipiac. I had a very busy schedule to ensure that I caught up with all the important ones I needed to, and of course there were many little surprises in there seeing people I didn’t expect to see, which made it all the more special. It wouldn’t be a visit to Quinnipiac without me attending athletic events and supporting fellow Bobcats. On Sunday morning, the weather was just like the lovely spring days I was used to and so I made the most of it by hiking up Sleeping Giant Mountain with a friend. It was just wonderful. The afternoon was once again filled with catching up with friends. When I think about it, it had been 6 months since I was last at Quinnipiac, and a lot has gone on since then, so I had to tell my story a fair few times to get everyone caught up. My voice took a toll but thats the way it is. It sure was well worth it. The feeling of knowing so many people care about where I am and what I am doing is so great, and along with that, they are also very supportive and admire me chasing my dreams.
meant something to me for once being a Quinnipiac alum. Our Women’s Basketball team took the whole Quinnipiac Community on a great ride all the way to the Sweet 16. It was an incredible and inspiring journey they went on, and I was happy to go along for the ride. They have certainly put Quinnipiac on the map! Unfortunately the journey ended in the Sweet 16, but the standard has now been set and I’m sure it wont be too long until they get there again!
I am certainly now settled in Wheaton, Illinois. My second week here has passed and I have begun to find a bit of a rhythm. I am more comfortable and more focused on the task ahead of me. After having a couple conversations with the assistant coach this week, I have a clearer picture of a few areas of my game that I really need to focus on. I put extra time into these areas before training, during training and also in the gym back at the apartment. As previously stated, I will get out of this experience what I put into it, and I have full control of my effort. So I am making sure I put in the work required, and more, to build a strong platform for future opportunities that I hope will arise.
Well this week has involved a massive step or progression in my development towards my goal of becoming a professional. On Monday I flew to Chicago where I was picked up by two future team mates. I have linked up with an organization called 
ve signed professionally with teams. So it is a well run organization, that is proven to be successful. But as I have already been told by the coaches, and also prior Bridges players, you will be as successful as you want to, all dependent on the work you put in leading up to the trip.
hopefully build my platform higher for when we travel to Europe and I can kick on from there. For now, the focus is not Europe. The focus is working on different areas of my game each day, and even in the first week, I have already began developing areas of my game that the coaches believe need improving and I can already see a difference.
On Saturday, both Anne and I headed to the gym to do our different types of training, and she was sporting a new outfit we have shopped for the previous week. After our workouts we headed down to Reading Terminal Market, which was suggested to me by a friend as a place to visit while I was in Philadelphia. It was a great place with all sorts of stores, mostly food and treats, but just the amount of people in the place was insane! An experience for sure.
Another week passes, and unfortunately not much movement on my end. Although Monday saw the completion and distribution of my new video, the waiting game continues. While this goes on, I continued to train, getting to the gym everyday and varying my workouts to get fitness in but also strength and speed work. And on Friday, I was able to attend a team training session with the Philadelphia NPSL team, Junior Lone Star FC. It was great to get on the field again and do football specific training. Depending on their training schedule in the coming weeks, I will hope to attend them as much as possible to keep the football work up. 
g, and considering I hadn’t seen the movie, it allowed me to just take it all in. I very much enjoyed it. Anne, Fred, and their friend Andrea, and I then head out for a late lunch at a nice Greek restaurant. It was just a great afternoon. After lunch, Fred drove me to one of his construction companies worksites that I would be working at beginning Monday. It will be a great way for me to keep busy and make some money while I play the waiting game. It will be a 5mile bike ride in the morning and afternoon. Should be a good week, and hopefully a little more movement on the football side of things.