Thursday, 31 July, 2003  1909

Well, we've worked it out so we get a wee bit of computer time again.  The computer room has been closed and "off limits" since my last post yesterday morning.  Seems we had a bit of an "issue" with some of the very young ones from another country.  Evidently, they were quite adept at breaking (or navigating around) the University internet firewall.  Some pretty provocative pictures were displayed on the monitors, probably ones that most of you parents would not have approved of too very much.  We have been given our own password by the University IT department and instructed that no one but adults are allowed to use the computer and only during the time that the proctor is at the front desk (0800 - 2330.)  The boys, if they have one of us present, can take turns using the email only - and only one at a time.  No internet usage other than email.

Now, as far as an update on the boys progress at the tournament.  We're out in three games.  Lost yesterday and today, to much inferior teams, I might add.  The learning experience could be invaluable, but it would be up to each one of the boys to decide if that will be the case for them as individuals.  Yesterday, we gave up a two goal lead to lose 2-3.  Today, we couldn't score at all - losing 0-2.  The game in England is very violent at this level, as Roy warned everyone going in.  Play, for the most part, is allowed to go on, with very few whistles and even fewer cards.  Today, however, was an exception.  The team we played was issued at least 9 cautions, we received three.  The boys, for the most part, held their cool and we're proud of that.  You parents know who the most likely ones on the BU16's are to blow up and start swearing and sluggin' but in all three games - there were NO ISSUES!!!  Roy was very happy with that.  He told me that this time last year, at least three boys would have been sent off the field for retaliation, foul and abusive language or violent conduct.  That  is proof solid of growth and maturity in this team.  Roy singled out each one and commended him for his self control under such extreme pressure under "foreign" circumstances.  There are some very good things that came from this experience.

This afternoon, we drove to the Liverpool Football Academy.  One of the six best such academys in all of soccer today.  Here, we had a personal tour by the director, Steve Heighway.  One of the greatest football players in Liverpool history.  Steve used to play for Roy, along with two other coaches at The Academy.  What a place!!  They have ten outdoor "pitches" in absolutely immaculate condition, as well as an indoor artificial surface training center and an outdoor artificial surface pitch as well.  Full cafeteria, two full time "physio's" on staff, weight and speed training facility, locker rooms for all age groups, etc. etc. etc.  As young as 8 years old, boys within an hour and a half driving distance of Liverpool are identified as "candidates" to enter The Football Academy.  Those candidates are then offered to "sign" with the Liverpool Club.  If they do, they are given daily training at The Academy by professional coaches, at 5:00pm each day. At the age of 16, they could be selected to stay for daily football, along with academic training, too.  Kind of like a full time soccer camp that gives you high level academic training at the same time.  Nothing like this in the states, not in any sport.  Again, I'm not quite sure if the boys have any idea as to just how big an experience this was to have had.  If not now, hopefully it will sink in as time goes on and they'll look back at the time they traveled to Liverpool and visited with the great Steve Heighway at the world famous Liverpool Football Academy.

We got back from The Academy just in time to catch dinner.  By the way, the breakfast is the same each day, assorted cereals, coffee & tea, with milk, of course, but the milk is NOT for drinking, just for tea or cereal.  We have sunny side up eggs, sausage and/or bacon - wow are they ever salty and greasy!  There's toast, and potato cakes, too.  Fresh fruit is apples and bananas.  Canned is grapefruit and apricots.  For lunch, well, we've been mostly hanging out at "The Office," which is The Rose of Mossley Pub, just down the street.  That way we can have a pint (of soda) and be able to walk back to the dorms (Carnatic Hall), not taking a chance by drinking and driving those vans I've previously described to you.  That small neighborhood pub has a daily lunch special, where you can order two complete lunches for the price of one - £5.95 = approximately $10.00 or $5.00 a piece.  The boys have been able to choose from Steak and Ale Pie, a half pound cheeseburger with "chip."  ("Don't nick the chips!") a slice of rump roast or noodles with tomatoes (spaghetti.)  Dinners on campus (which the tournament officials added to our package for no additional cost,) have been varied, with fish, Indian food (curry) beef, lasagna and pizza, etc.  (I said "etc." because I'm getting tired of typing and want to leave, so I'm done with the food talk, Moms.)  The boys have done their laundry once, yesterday afternoon.  You'd be so proud, I think - I didn't watch.  I'm thinking about going to their rooms, one at a time, and taking a picture of each one.  We'll post them, if I ever get the time.  It will be your job to try and pick out which room is your son's.  That out to be a neat trick.  I used the word "neat" as "interesting" or "special," having absolutely nothing to do with "tidy!"

We're off tomorrow - actually, even if we went through to the semi's, that would have been the case.  Everyone is off tomorrow.  We've got an appointment at 1030 to tour Anfield, the world famous home of Liverpool.  That may have about the same effect on the boys, though, I expect.  Not too much excitement seen so far, but maybe that's because of their overall performance in their games here.  Roy is so good with the boys, a true "teacher."  "This sport is no different than any other life experience, isn't it?  There is always something to be learned and gained from everything we go through - winning or losing.  If we don't seek those things out and learn from them, our time has been a bit of a waste, hasn't it?"

Still having a great time - one experience after another.  Hope to post tomorrow.