Day 19

Day 19

Back to work!

Jeff and I arose at about 6:50 to be out the door by about 7:25! This gave us enough time to shovel some cornflakes down and make ourselves presentable!

The usual route was taken and we arrived in Ruyterwacht at about 8:50! We didn't start coaching till 10:30 at Goodwood Crèche. Jeff and I both wrote up a few CV's and helped people on computers in that hour and a bit. It felt great to be helping people potentially getting a job and improve the living conditions of their family!

Goodwood Crèche is the nursery we was teaching at last week! In our first visit we did a fun races session but today we focused on target practice and kicking a bit more! We split them in to four teams and gave each team a ball. The aim of the game was to knock the balls off the cones, kind of like bowling or coconut shy at funfairs! We started with aiming at 3 balls and the pupils were rolling it with their hands, just so that they could understand what they had to do! Next we introduced the technique of kicking which they were just as good at that! Jeff, Joe and I were really surprised at how well they all did! We started with 3 cones so that it was easy for the kids and they could get a feeling of success which of course encourages them to carry on and get that feeling of success even more.. And of course the big high 5 from coach Luke! Gradually we reduced the amount of cones but all 3 groups were so good at the tasks.. the girls were much better than the boys which was nice to see! We finished each session with a competition to see which team could knock all 3 boys down first! My 'team' knocked all 3 off within a minute so I placed the balls back on the cone and let them go again! They did it 3 times in comparison to other teams who struggled to do it once or twice. My coaching skills and encouragement obviously played a massive part in their success.. That goes without saying!
Another great day at Goodwood Crèche! I hope we go back their more, the kids are definitely keen! The lunch provided is always a treat too by the way! Chicken curry was the delicacy today. Lovely stuff. My mum makes a good chicken korma to be fair to her!

We went back to the learning centre in Ruyterwacht, did a couple of admin stuff, helped with CV's and planned our session for the afternoon at De Waveren College.

Unfortunately the afternoon session was a bit of a flop at De Waveren! The school finished at 3:00, but around 15 boys came over to us just to see what was going on.. Not to be coached! They were adamant that they knew nothing about our coaching session! However the school were the opposite and emphasised that they publicised it a lot and it was the boys fault! Who to believe? Hmm! If they advertised it so well.. Surely one boy would bring a pair of boots or trainers? But nope not even one! I'm swinging towards the kids if I'm totally honest. From previous experience if you even mention the word arsenal.. Kids will come as an army to greet you and ask you questions! The boys were gutted but we are back their next week and we have told them to bring their kit and to spread the word! One of the main teachers at the school said that he wouldn't mind if we moved on to another school where soccer was more focused on which didn't show the best signs of enthusiasm and again makes me want to believe the kids that there wasn't much energy in to promoting an arsenal coaching session.

Off to watch the Arsenal game, have a few beers and some dinner now at mixers!! COME ON YOU REDS! 2-1 arsenal. Giroud and Ozil to score.

Buzzing to go back to the school where we signed loads of autographs tomorrow! Joe says we may even get 90-100 kids! Bring it on, that's what it's all about!!

Loving South Africa. Hope everyone's cool in whatever country they're in when reading this!

All the best.

Luke