The day has finally come when our boys and chaperones end their journey abroad and head home to South Carolina. For many of the chaperones, heading home is bittersweet. We have enjoyed the opportunities presented to us in being a part of an experience that our boys were fortunate enough to have and wish there were perhaps just a few more days. On the other hand, we long to be back home living our daily lives in Greenville, no matter how hectic they may be.
But the reality being what it should be, this trip was not about us…we were simply the voices of reason and safety for 28 boys who share a common passion for the game of soccer and were privileged enough to be able to experience their passion as well as other experiences in a new and different world, far away from what they know. It was the opportunity to see the game played at its highest, and yes most commercial, level through the English Premier League venues and matches that they attended; but also, it was an opportunity to see the game at its simplest level, a love of the game, amongst the Irish and English boys with whom they played, whether on a formal pitch or in pick-up games on the lawn.
Beyond the game of soccer; however, this was an opportunity for our boys to broaden themselves and help them grow into the young men they are becoming. The responsibilities handled by these boys during the course of this trip will make each a better young man. The cultural knowledge they gleaned throughout the trip, and in particular, during their stay with an Irish family, will contribute in helping them to grow and in some ways become more appreciative for what they have. The fun they experienced with friends, teammates, foes, hosts, and chaperones; will be a source of joy for many, many years to come. The awe-inspiring feeling they discovered that they are part of something larger, a larger world, will help them immensely in the ever-widening global environment.
There is a huge world outside our own little version in Greenville, South Carolina. The boys got to experience the world in some of its largeness and hopefully they might just have grown up a little before our eyes during this trip. Sure they had fun being boys and sure they had fun playing soccer; in the end, hopefully they realized that a giant, incredibly exciting world is out there and waiting for them to grow into men and experience it all. After all, this was only a small part of the beginning of a lifelong journey for them as they continue to grow up in spite of our own personal desires sometimes that they remain forever young; it was truly a life experience for them as boys.
That’s all forever from this Blog.
Quote of the Day
“I don’t think I could have a higher opinion of any footballer than I already had of the Irishman, but he rose even further in my estimation at the Stadio Delle Alpi. The minute he was booked and out of the final he seemed to redouble his efforts to get the team there. It was the most emphatic display of selflessness I have seen on a football field. Pounding over every blade of grass, competing if he would rather die of exhaustion than lose, he inspired all around him. I felt it was an honour to be associated with such a player.”
Sir Alex Ferguson (on Roy Keane after the European Cup semi-final in 1999)
English soccer manager
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