Summer seemed to make a statement this week as the temperatures rose and the sun was out most days. Monday was Memorial Day which many of us spent by the pool, which was lovely. The pool has had many visits from us, whether its been to relax or to recover after training. Training has continued to be intense and all the evening sessions have been inter squad games. Preparing to play against different formations, but also preparing our own formations and seeing what works. So it has been very productive and just great to get out and play and compete, and getting some match fitness in. All things continue to build nicely as we are now only 4 weeks out from the trip.
On Friday night, the five guys who were at the apartment for the weekend decided to head into Wheaton for some dinner. After our meal we wandered around and stumbled upon the ‘A Taste of Wheaton’ festival. There was a great cover band playing some absolute classics from Journey, Neil Diamond, Queen, etc. We had a blast, although we may have been on the younger side of the crowd!
Saturday was my last official coaching session at Soccer City for Lil Kickers. It has been a good little job that has filled time and made some money, all the while developing young players. But as my schedule gets busier I am now able to fully turn my focus to why I am here and just train and prepare myself. I still have one client who I coach 1 on 1 which is only a couple hours a week, so I’m not fully finished! Saturday was also the Champions League Final, and what was expected to be a tough battle, unfortunately did not turn out that way!
We had finally reached a week where we would be playing a game. All our training was in preparation for it. Training intensity once again rose to ensure that we were as prepared, physically and tactically to play against USL team Louisville City FC. And on Wednesday night, after our second training of the day, we finally hit the road. It was a late night arrival for us into Columbus, IN. Thursday morning we were back on the road to finish off the trip to Louisville. We arrived and we given the opportunity to use their locker for preparation. It was as professional as you can get and really set the tone for what was to come in the next few hours. Once we were dressed and coach had given his pre match talk, we headed to their training field where we were to play. Their training pitch was it great condition, and a little damp from the recent rain. The game was an eye opening experience for many of the lads on our team as they had not faced this high level competition before. Louisville was very slick, especially because they are mid season, and we are only beginning to really prepare as a team. It was a game where we didn’t have the ball too often, however we did not embarrass ourselves, losing only 3-0. Results aren’t the current focus as we continue to prepare for Europe, but for me, individual performance is very important. I was fairly happy with my performance, however a few small adjustments need to be made going forward to continue to build my game. I’m looking forward to more high level competition to allow me to test myself again.
This trip had put most of our schedules off, as we were returning it felt like a Sunday evening, however it was only Thursday. Friday we were given off to recover, however we still had therapy and chiropractor in the morning which was perfect for the day after a game. Friday evening, myself and 3 others took a trip into Chicago. As it turned out, 
me to cover my current living and day to day costs. No Ill be able to rest up a little more as the intensity in training rises and really begin to focus in on the purpose of this experience.
Finally, the weather has begun to turn in favor of summer and Sunday was a stunner! I was able to spend time reading my new book, The Mindful Athlete by George Mumford, in the sun on the deck, before coaching a one on one session and then doing a bit of ball work and relaxing for the rest of the day. Preparing for a new routine next week!
Time seems to be flying, but the weather doesn’t seem to be keeping up. We are now well into May and the weather is still cold and wet. Soon enough it will hopefully turn around and we will be able to get outside to train instead of being boxed up inside. Although boxed inside, training continues to be very valuable and developmental for me as it has been continuous repetitions of technical work, alongside repetitions of defensive situations in games, something you often wouldn’t receive in a team training environment.
I was fortunate enough to spend my weekend in a new city, but more importantly, with family. Friday evening I traveled down to Indianapolis, while joining my Aunt Karrie and Cousin Jeremy on the way. Saturday morning we joined my Uncle John and Aunt Darlene and headed off to Grand Park to watch my Cousin Jake, and his twins, Beau and Brady in a baseball tournament. Jake’s wife and two daughters were also there. So there was enough family to keep me company and catch up with. The boys did well in both games Saturday morning and were on the winners side of the draw for Sunday. However, they were unable to stage a comeback in their Quarter Final game on Sunday, having been down 12-5, they got back to 12-11 before the time constraints ended their comeback. Outside of the baseball, we managed to take a tour through Indianapolis, mainly the canal via a 6 person bike. The weather was glorious and we sure made the most of it. Saturday evening we spent time at the hotel with Jake and the kids before returning to our own hotel to watch Sully, a great movie about an incredible story. 
Sunday morning, we went to The Yolk for breakfast, a place I have remembered since I first went in Chicago about 7 years ago. It still tasted just as good. We then walked along the river and past the zoo in the Sunday morning sun. By 3.30pm we hit the road back to Illinois. It was a wonderful visit with family, people that will always support you wherever you are, and since I am close enough, it was very special to see them and spend time with them. As always, time went quickly and soon enough I was back in my apartment in Wheaton! A weekend to remember!
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.
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.