We had another terrific soccer party at El Tapatio.  Thanks to HA, Daniel, Matthew and all the staff at El Tapatio for treating us so well. This year we handed out 3 DVD’s: RMSC photo montage, RMSC videos’, and the U11-U12 season photo montage. We also handed out a USB stick with 6 gigs of pictures from RMSC.

We awarded out trophies to all the boys. Well deserved all around. Trey and Riley tied with 10 goals a piece for the U11 Golden Boot award. Hunter won the U12 Golden Boot and Alex had the second most goals with 10. Andrew Schreiner was presented a special recognition for his efforts in playing goalie for both U11 and U12. Thanks to everyone for the Steamboat gift certificates – we will put these to good use come Thanksgiving. And thanks to  James McFatrich for organizing the amazingly beautiful Signature Shirt Sculpture. Thanks, Everyone!!

For me the highlight of the evening was watching the Season DVD and all the boys gathered together and singing at the top of their lungs to the songs on the music track. This is a really special group of boys. And parents.

Thank you all so much for sharing your soccer boys with us. We are truly blessed.

The first full day of camp. Starting at 7am and going to 10:00pm. The boys were actually up early and were ready to go down by 6:30am. A good start to what was going to be a long very hard day. In the end, everything worked out, but along the way, there were some really rough spots – too much ice cream during free time – then getting sick, only eating desert stuff at dinner, getting sick. Not being focused, not paying attention, not listening to Coach Pardew leads to a very unhappy coach Perdew. Lots of tough love today. But the sessions where the boys hung in there and gave it their best shot, were brilliant. A whole new level of communication and working together on the field.

During our morning run through town (ending up with a wonderful breakfast at the Fortune diner) we met the mayor and the Dallas Cowboys Dr that was apart of the Super Bowl team that beat the Denver Bronco’s. He showed the boys his super bowl ring.

We ended our soccer sessions after dinner, first playing a full field scrimmage with just the boys. THen we watched the U16 girls team from Golden, work a very technical defensive drill. Then we divided all the players (girls and boys) into 3 teams of 9 and played 5 minute games. it was a blast. the boys were back on their game and having fun.

After this soccer session, then the boys went on a hike to check out the stars and spend an hour or so hiking (really cross-training). It was beautifully clear out and the air was cool but not cold. Then back for the team meeting. Ian and Hunter were awarded the infamous Pipper Red sock (from our OU days) for doing “something stupid or pretty dumb” and the Hunter got the blue jersey as voted on by the girls and Coach Perdew for schooling one of the girl players earlier. So a fun way to end the day. Lights out at 10:30 and the boys are out.

It has been an amazing day. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed driving out with the boys. It was uneventful all the way and we made great time. Thanks so much to Chris Wallen and Cindy Schreiner for driving.

I am so glad these boys were able to make this trip. All ready they have had significant experiences. We got to Victor, Colorado (9,652 feet) at about 6:40. We were in our first meeting at 7:15 and on the pitch doing warmup and skills by 7:45 (Mtn time). We then took a long hike through town down to the secret soccer destination and played some 5×5 until 9:30. Then the hike back up hill to the school (in the dark) and then the final meeting for the day. This camp does feature some tough love and Coach Perdew is making sure everyone is dialed in participating. There is no time or opportunity to slack off.

So day 1 – 12 hours of driving and then a couple hours of great soccer training – at altitude. After the meeting the boys went straight to bed and it was quiet in about ten minutes. Tomorrow our day starts at 7:00 am and goes until 10:00 pm. This is the real deal. Thanks again to everyone for letting your players participate. I can assure you 100% that everyone is having a good time, but they are also getting the opportunity of lifetime to train at this level (and altitude). Everyone of these boys have already grown since we left 305 this morning at 5:45 am.

I have limited bandwidth so will only be able to upload a few pictures. I will upload more when we get back to Sedalia.

15 of our players are heading to the Rocky Mountain Socce Camp in Victor, Colorado, on Sunday. Here is their camp schedule.

Depart Sunday, August 7th 5:45 am –drive to Victor, Colorado
Sunday, August 7
TIME ACTIVITY
19:30:00 Arrive
08:00 Orientation-Rules-Snacks
08:30 “Secret Soccer Destination”
09:30 Clean Up
10:00 Lights Out

Monday, August 8
TIME ACTIVITY
07:00:00 Wake Up
07:30 Warm Up
08:00 Breakfast
09:00 Soccer Session
10:30 Team Builders
11:00 Shooting – Video Session
12:00:00 Lunch
01:00 Team Challenges
02:00 Free Time – Ice Cream – Shops
04:00 Soccer Session
05:30 Dinner
06:00 Team Characteristics
06:30 Soccer Session
08:00 “Secret Soccer Destination”
09:30 Goal Setting Session
10:00 Clean Up
10:30 Lights Out

Tuesday, August 9
TIME ACTIVITY
07:00:00 Wake Up
07:30 Warm Up
08:00 Breakfast
09:00 Soccer Session
10:30 Field Trip – Hike – Explore
12:00:00 Lunch
01:00 Team Challenges
02:00 Free Time – Ice Cream – Shops
04:00 Soccer Session
05:30 Dinner
06:00 “Student of the Game”
06:30 Soccer Session
08:00 “Secret Soccer Destination”
09:00 Stargazing – Telescope
10:00 Clean Up
10:30 Lights Out

Wednesday, August 10
TIME ACTIVITY
07:30:00 Wake Up
08:00 Breakfast
09:00 Bison Reservoir – Climbing
12:00:00 Lunch
01:00 Soccer Session
02:30 Service Project
04:00 Skit/Talent Show Practice
05:30 Dinner
06:30 “Secret Soccer Destination”
08:00 Skits – Talent Show
09:00 Campfire
10:00 Clean Up
10:30 Lights Out

Thursday, August 11
TIME ACTIVITY
07:00:00 Wake Up
07:30 Clean-up and Pack-up
08:00 Breakfast
08:30 Closing Ceremonies
08:45:00 RMS See Ya Later!

Drive Back to Sedalia – Home by Midnight

It was another hot afternoon for Practice. Our routine is 8 minutes, then a good hydration break in the shade. Today needed something extra refreshing, so Lori picked up 18 water guns and we had an all out water fight half way through practice. Good, fun, soaking good time.

The Newcastle United Players and Coaches signed autographs for the Toon fans at the Livestrong Sporting Park Field Club.

Tuesday evening was another over 100 F training session for NUFC. This time they were making their first visit to Livestrong Sporting Park. Thanks to Sporting KC for organizing this event and making it possible to watch this training session.

Temperatures were at 100 F and NUFC was having their second practice session of the day. The practice was followed by a Coaches Clinic given by John Carver and Steve Stone. I can’t wait for practice on Thursday! Sporting staff filled a 8 x 10 inflateable pool up with ice and after practice the Newcastle players “stripped down” and took turns in the ice bath. Jonas and Jose were the last to leave. What a great evening.

2 VIP Tickets to Sporting KC Game
John Arnwine

$15 Gift Certificates for El Tapatio
LeAnne Johnson
Logan Vannoy
Macie Meier
Vicki Oberkrom
Jim Waldo
Regina Craig

Sporting KC Scarfs
Colby Edgar
Nick Anders

Major Saver Cards
Rhonda Beerman
Bonnie Modlin
Kevin Moore

Congratulations!

On Saturday, we had our first fundraiser for our trip to the Rocky Mountain Soccer Camp scheduled for August. What started out as a way to raise some money, turned out to be just a really great, fun day with the boys and their parents and family. The boys started off delivering chips and salsa to tables. Then taking drink orders and filling and delivering the drinks to the tables. Then bussing tables. By dinner we had a bunch of 10 and 11 year “waiters” working the room like old pro’s. The boys were absolutely amazing. The wait staff and HA all commented on how hard they worked, how happy they were and how much the customers were enjoying their presence. Many customers expressed their joy at having the boys wait on them through their kind words AND their donations. While it was a long day, I don’t  know that I have ever been so satisfied in seeing players having such a good “work out”. Truly amazing.

During the evening, the USA played and so it turned into a watch party as well as a fundraiser. Unfortunately, the US team could not get it going and we lost 2 to 1. But this sets us up for a great game at Sporting Park on Tuesday with the US now in a must win situation!!

When the evening was over, the boys had raised over $700.00!!!! Our goal was $500, so we are definitely off to a good start. Thanks to HA and everyone at El Tapatio for letting us to do this. And thanks to the many wonderful patrons that supported us in our efforts. And thank you boys and family for your tremendous work. It was a job well done and you definitely earned this money. Our next fundraiser is June 27th. THANKS!!