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RHIAN VISITS SOUTH SIMCOE SOCCER CLUB 21st May 2009

One of the good things about schedules going awry, and the delay to the start of our Canada women's national team camp, is having a little time on our hands. On this occasion, I accepted an invitation to drive out and see the South Simcoe Club players, parents and coaches.

Diana and I had arrived back into Canada on Sunday 17th May via Oslo and Frankfurt, and were met by our parents at Pearson airport. Then, on Victoria day, after a reasonable night's sleep, my father and I drove the 45 minutes out to Tottenham, north-west of Toronto.

The visit was arranged by Paul Atkins of the Simcoe Girls Club, and I arrived at the practice field on a perfect sunny summer's evening, just as everyone was arriving. The players wasted no time on formalities and a line-up was in place within a few minutes. Everyone wanted shirts, balls, backpacks, pictures signed. Fortunately a parent took pity on me and brought me a camp chair to ease my legs from squatting on the ground.

Some of the girls and their parents and coaches had attended the Brasil game at BMO last year. Several are planning to be there this Monday for the USA, but some of the teams have Provincial soccer tests or games scheduled and will have to rely on TV.

Some of the smallest girls, the U 9s seemed a little in awe of me, but that didn't last long. Most of the girls and the adults were quick with their questions. Among the best were....Are you tired at the end of a game? Do you have any friends? Why have you changed your signature and number? Which Men's team do you support? And, of course, the classic, have you ever signed a sweaty shinpad?

I stressed the need for hard work, much to the delight of the coaches: The one thing a player can be held accountable for, even if everything else is going wrong, is a strong work ethic. I had a great evening meeting them all, and the photographs show it. I signed a large number of things, and at least one girl refused to wear her signed practice shirt and get it dirty!!

Thank you to Paul and all at the Simcoe Girls Club for making me so welcome, and I look forward to seeing some of these players move up the ranks in Canada.