Whether you are a sports fan or not, I think everyone at some point has watched an opening ceremonies to the Olympics or some other major games. It is one of those things that seems to fascinate people. I was always in awe of the spectacle, watching the athletes march in, the pomp and circumstance around the entire stadium.
Last night, the team and I had the chance to live what will probably be one of those events that will remain with us for the rest of our lives. The evening was long as the logistics of moving 11,000+ individuals from the village to the stadium hosting the ceremonies was quite an undertaken. Once off the bus, we had to walk through a maze of parking lots, tunnels and ramps to bring us right to the main entrance of the stadium. We could hear the noise inside as it gradually built up. Suddenly , there was a light show with loud music but again we couldn't quite see what was going on although the cheering in the stadium was overwhleming.... suddenly the wall in front of us seemed to part (it was like 12 stories high) and suddenly we got our first glimpse into the stadium, all light up, 40,000+ people cheering , music blaring and one by one the team entered the stadium as we have seem time after time at Olypmics. When Canada's turn came, we were led down the ramp between a row of dancing volunteers (poor kids I think there had to do the same dance moves for 90 minutes as all the team filtered in). Suddenly you are engulfed in the middle of the stadium ! I don't think anything I write could fully capture the atmosphere at that moment. I was trying to videotape and hopefully I will be able to load it on this site (having trouble getting picture on here also) For 3 + hours, we were had music, dancers, cheering all around us non stop. I can honestly say that the feeling at those first moments are hard to rival and to explain. The term goosebumps might not be enough to truly describe the tingling. One great experience was getting to see our athletes , my players experience it and see it through their eyes. I can understand how Olympic athletes share a a bond once they have gotten the chance to go through an event like this. For a few moments, you are TEAM CANADA, representing the country in the eyes of the world. The team is enjoying some quiet time now as we wait for our game briefing and pregame meal.. tonight will be a huge test as we face China, at home, in a 40,000 seat
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The FISU games women's soccer tournament started for real yesterday as we played Great Britain. We came out on top with a great 2-0 win.
We were somewhat concerned about the weather as the day started out very hot and humid but by half time, the clouds had rolled in and the temperature seemed to cool off. We had a solid game plan supported in part by some intel that both Graham and I gathered in speaking to the Japanese coach on two different occassions. We started off strong and put GB on their heels defensively as they had to account for our pace. A great penetrating run forced one of their defenders to foul us and on the ensuing free kick, Andreanne Gagné blasted one of the inside of the far post to give us the lead. The game was in no way a one sided affair but we defending well as a group and our goalie Rachel Bedek came up with the big safe when we needed them. Our scouting report indicated that GB's #17 would be a handful with her size but she only lasted 45 minutes are Justine Labreque introduced her to some good old fashioned physicality for the entire first half and she was subbed off at the break. The team played with passion, desire, heart and the right skill at the right time. It is always great to get a tournament like this started with a win and in doing so, we have the chance to dictate our destiny moving forward. Today is an off day, and many of the players are looking to return downtown for some shopping. We leave for Shenhzen Bay stadium for the opening ceremonies at 5pm for what should be a fairly long evening but probably an incredible experience. That is one aspect that I was disappointed with in Belgrade as I didn't get to experience the type of opening ceremonies that I had seen on TV at the olympics growing up. Tonight it will be another and ew life experience that I will get to be part of. Tomorrow it is back to competition mode as we face the hosts China and the largest soccer venue of the games. Rumor has it that the stadium (40,000 places ) is sold out although apparently there as still tickets available here at the village. Looking to track down a player or two who hasn't run off shopping and have them share some of their thoughts about the FISU experience later today. I will also try and loa Like 2009, I will be asking various players to share their thoughts about life in China and at the games. Today's guest writer is U of Alberta's very own Carleigh Miller, midfielder and happy go lucky individual. We'll see if she can live up to her former Panda team-mates Fro and Jackie for wit and creativity as their 2009 post is still talked about today.
Take it away Carl ! Hello everyone! Well it has been quite the journey so far. Having arrived in China after the what felt like a 24 hour flight, the heat wave struck us immediately. At night it reached a wopping 30 degrees celsius. We arrived into the village with tons of smiling volunteers ohhing and aahing as the "Canadians" have finally come. Long day, but we were quite glad to see the amazing village and residences that were built especially for the games. Having played 2 exhibition games now against Mexico, (2-2) and France, (2-1), we are finally feeling the competition creep up on us. The weather here is hot and humid, but fortunately there has been torential downpour, cooling off the air around us. Playing in the heat and humidity has been challenging, but with the rain, it will be manageable. The best part and my most favorite time of the day are the meals, with 300 different varieties of food. Everything has been outstanding, allowing me to eat Asian, Muslim, mediterranean food anytime of the day. The milk has been a little sketchy, but otherwise I can actually recognize all the food. Seeing all the athletes from all the different countries has really been interesting, and interacting with them has been even better. Everyone has been so nice, and for some reason, everyone just loves the Canadians! We start our journey in the tournament this Thursday, so our first challenge will be against Great Britain. Wish us luck! Over and out. Carleigh With our competition to start tomorrow, I wanted to get on and give everyone a quick recap about our training camp and first few days here.
I arrived in Langley Aug.2nd (the players had been there since July 29th) to join up with a group of players that was quickly coming together. During our preparation time, we were able to play 3 games in B.C. and 2 in the first days arriving in China. In Langley we had a record of 1W, 1T, 1L although in fairness our loss was against a very good U16 boys team. Once on site, we played Mexico to a 2-2 draw and then last 2-1 to France yesterday. However results aside, we continue to see progress in the team and I am sure that once tha games count, we will play quality soccer and more importantly play to the level of our potential. The first few days on site have been pretty routine, getting settled, the prep. games and simply getting into the flow of the games. The hot weather we thought we would get hasn't really happened per say as we have had lots of rain especially today. At least today, we get to have a little break and took the team into town for a 2hours shopping spree. Hard to believe what some can buy in a short period of time and the winners for best deal were Vero and Cynthia getting some sharp Nike shoes which they negociated the price down to $23 when in the real Just a quick post to say that the team has landed in China and is now firmly installed in the athletes village. However after a long long day in the airport, on a plane and transport here, pretty much the entire team went straight to bed.
We had a good week of training in Langley and saw some very positive signs. I will post something more concrete tomorrow with details. The adventure begins for real now! I am a day away from getting on a plane and heading out to Vancouver for our pre-tournament camp. The team has been together now on site since Thursday afternoon so I have had to miss some of the initial prep. work but that is life when you have a full time to balance with your part time passion of coaching.
As I move towards the start of this adventure, it makes me think about what I want to take away from these games and this trip. I have coached soccer at different levels, different locations and of course many different teams and players, and in the end, soccer is soccer. It is the same game I first played at 5 years old and have played or coached ever since. What makes it different for this tournament is yes obviously the level of competition, but I already experienced that in 2009. So I think it is about living it with a new and different group of players and coaches and of course in a different location, a country that before this I had never thought about visiting. What is going to be amazing once again in being in one location that will bring together nearly 11,000 people from 100+ countries all unified by one factor, our involvement and love for a sport. It is pretty special to walk around the village during a given day or moment and cross paths with individuals from some many different places. It is also an experience that forges a bond for those who get to participate in it together. I won't say I have remained close with everyone who was involved with the team in 2009, but I can say that anytime I come across one of these individuals, there is a shared experience that will remain between myself and that person forever. I think it also makes one appreciate a lot of things in our everyday life. If I am lucky enough to enjoy these games for a second time, it is due in large part to the support and help I have gotten from a lot of people along the way... my wife who puts up with a lot of time commitments, travels and constant calls and emails that come with being a coach and is there to listen to me complain, vent and sometimes yes even share some exciting (and for her maybe boring (hahahaha) stories, my family who follow my exploits encourage me to try different things, certain coaches along the way who helped me develop my style of coaching and of course some (and for sure not all ) players that I have had the chance to coach who validated the time and effort that I put into it. Sometime tomorrow evening (or early hours Tuesday Montreal time), I will be arriving in the hotel and having my first contact with this year's team as a group... and from that point, most of my time and energy will be spent on making this whole experience, the best competitive result (cause I do hate to lose) but more importantly the best life experience for myself and all those invovled |
AuthorAfter many years of coaching at various levels and with different teams, I thought I would share some of my experiences and thoughts about coaching. Archives
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