3 Weeks in London

It has been 3 weeks in London for this aspiring football coach, about time for a blog posting. I have been so busy, I apologize. So here is the update all of you have been waiting for so patiently.

I’ll start of by saying that these three weeks have probably been the most physically demanding weeks of my life. We have been training non-stop, at least 4 hours a day, sometimes 8! Having said that, I have loved every single minute of it. Even the worst of training is enjoyable. I have encountered so many great coaches already, from both Arsenal and the FA. I feel like I have enough material to start coaching now and that is exactly what I am going to do! Yesterday I visited the school I will be coaching in for the next few months (Holloway Secondary School). The staff were very friendly and accomodating, and the facilities are really good. My work there begins next Tuesday, bright and early. I can’t wait!

Based on these 3 weeks, I feel 100% sure that I made the right decision, to come to London and pursue this career. Football aside, life in London has been perfect. I enjoy every second spent with my family, be it sitting on the couch chatting with my grandparents or looking after my cousin of a evening. I have also found a great church – Hillsong London. I visited for the first time last week and it was incredible! I can’t wait to go back this Sunday.

The other members of Arsenal’s Gap Year Program (fellow ‘gappers’) are great as well. They like to give me some stick now and then for my accent, but its all in the name of banter. Great times.

What else? Ah, I saw Arsenal play for the first time this week. It was a good match and a great time. Touring stadiums is good and all, but theres nothing that compares to seeing a match, stadium packed with thousands of fans. I can’t wait to see them play again.

So into the schools next week, the real test begins. I have to improve my coaching skills so I can spend some time abroad with Arsenal in January (fingers crossed, in Australia).

Until next time, cheers!

First 24 Hours in London.

So I made it to London, praise God. The UK authorities apparently didn’t buy my story, so they decided to keep me around for a few hours, before questioning me, calling me a liar, and then finally allowing me into the country for six months. Not very nice people, I must say! The bloke’s parting words were, “You’ll have a very difficult time when you try to come into the UK again.” I walked, but was thinking, “Not if I have a UK passport, you twit!” Haha. So I made it to my nanny’s at 1:30, after a nice chat with the cab driver. He was an Arsenal fan as well, and fully supported my mission to make a career out of football.

I slept until noon (a solid 10 hours), woke up and took a walk down to Junction Road and bought my UK sim card via T-Mobile! It might cost you an arm and a leg, but send me an email or message on twitter if you want it. I have a month of free texting, not bad eh! I feel like I am really living here now that I have a UK phone number. Not bad.

Then I went home to my grandma’s house and had some lunch, a bacon sandwich (Brandon’s favorite). I called up Samir, the geezer who runs the gap year program at Arsenal, and we met up at the stadium for a cup of tea and a quick chat. Really nice guy, he introduced me to a few people and we talked about the week to come. I am very excited, lots of time on the pitch! Arsenal’s facilities are top notch, really lavish and stylish. I’ll make sure to take a few pictures on Monday, even if I look like a loser doing so. It is really exciting times, I can’t wait! Two days out of the week I will be coaching in the schools, the rest of the time will be in training and in the community. I will be looking to join a league, maybe us gap year students will form a team. That would be cool. I get a discount on Arsenal gear and I probably will get to see a few games for free while I am here. Awesome.

Came home for dinner and had some good fish and chips from up the road. Hung out with the grandparents, made a few phone calls, and now its time to go to bed.

I miss and love you all. Be on the look out for a call from a strange number!