'A Wee Rest from Training'. Front row from left: Sarkis, Josephs, Costigan, Donner (Capt.), Furey, Mullahey and Ingegno. Back row from left: Coach Sarkis, Coach Revell, Pahlavi, Carey, Trimmer, McAdoo, Singh, Choi, Sproat, Gormley, Coach Joe and Coach Sproat It was a hardcore group of fourteen footballers and three coaches that left from St. Paul's at 8 AM on July 12th and set off for a week of team training at Lake Placid Soccer Centre (LPSC), held at St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY. The bags were packed, luggage was loaded and ample snacks were on hand as the vans departed for the eight hour trip to Canton.

On arrival there was no rest for the weary as the boys stumbled out of the vans and into an evaluation match against a determined group of U-15's from Saratoga, NY. It was at this point that the boys were introduced to their coach and trainer for the week, John Revell. John, from Norwich, England, is the U-13 coach for the Norwich City FC Youth Academy team and is well versed in the needs and antics of this age group. John stated unequivocally that the key to success in football and in life is energy and enthusiasm. Energy was certainly needed to keep up with the grueling LPSC schedule. Each day began with reveille at 7 AM and ended with lights out at 10:30 PM. In between was soccer heaven: training and ball mastery sessions in the morning, a controlled scrimmage just before lunch; tactical sessions in the afternoons along with small sided games followed by a regulation match after dinner, and World Cup competitions on Thursday. Add a dance and talent show and you're in like flint!

Three square meals kept fuel flowing to the engines and dieticians were even available with advice for the lads on sports nutrition. We now know that two donuts and a glass of pop is not the breakfast of champions! There were no complaints about the food as judged by the numerous empty plates.

The week flew by and all too soon it was time to leave the North Country and return to the South Country. After a week of eating together, bunking together, training together, swimming together, relaxing together, playing together, winning together and losing together, the Garden City Flames and their associates had not only grown closer but they had begun to unite as a team. In the words of Coach Revell, 'what was once acceptable is no longer acceptable'. They had 'changed the mindset'; they had 'raised the bar'. They were primed to become stronger, braver and livelier footballers.

Arriving back at St. Paul's around midnight on Friday, this batch of GC U-13's returned a tired but transformed group. Come watch us play in September. See you 'on the pitch'.