During what was one of the coldest Decembers on record BWFCISS w.JPG)
elcomed the Lead British International School from Nigeria. Due to the poor weather conditions the groups training programme became very limited as outdoor facilities were closed as the heavy snow and freezing temperatures set in.
Mick Wild Head Coach during the visit put a diary together following the group during there time here in Bolton;
Friday 17th December
The group arrived at the Premier Inn at approximately 3.30 am due to a delay at Heathrow Airport, this first day had been allocated as a free day due to a possible late arrival time. In the morning once the group were awake and had enjoyed their first English Breakfast I took them on an orientation of the Middlebrook Retail Park and the Bolton Arena.
Saturday 18th December
Over night the Northwest was hit by severe winter weather conditions closing the Bolton Arena's outdoor training facilities as it was unplayable and unsafe. Unfortunately there was no indoor alternative available could at the Arena as many of their staff had not been able to travel in to work so were unable to staff the venue to meet safety and insurance needs. It would have been futile to try and a source a venue elsewhere as travel was impossible for most of that day, cars were stranded on the hotel car park, the roundabout at Junction 5 was blocked by abandoned vehicles, parts of the M61 and the motorway network were closed and Grtr. Manchester Police were advising the public to make emergency journeys only.
I invited the group to join me in the Rijo Cafe (located within in the Arena) to watch Bolton Wanderers play away at Sunderland live on Sky but the group had made other plans and did not attend, BWFC lost 1-0.
Sunday 19th December
Weather conditions still severe and outdoor facilities at the Arena were closed until further notice, I managed to get access to the small LTA gym indoors and delivered a 2 hour session of Agility Testing, 5m and 10m Speed Testing and Skills Tests involving Ball Control and Turning. Due to the confines of the space and the limited number of players able to be active at any one time the session took on a seminar style and the group were educated in the principles of why and how we test and monitor players technical and physical performances. The overall session was received well and group gave positive feedback and took away a lot of educational information.
Monday 20th December
Weather conditions still severe and we were informed that the outdoor pitches would remain closed until the New Year. It was also still difficult to book an alternative indoor football specific venue as travel and road conditions still causing difficulties throughout the region. I visited St. Joseph's School to see if the Bubble there might be available as it was within walking distance of the hotel for the group. At first the Duty Manager there agreed to let us have a 2 hour session from 12.00 to 2.00pm but the maintenance crew then arrived to repaint the lines inside the Dome so I went back over to the Arena and was able to book some of the indoor Tennis and Badminton Courts from 2.00 to 4.00pm as an alternative activity for the group.
Tuesday 21st December
The group had requested not to train today as they decided to use the time to visit Old Trafford. I booked a group Museum and Stadium tour on their behalf and accompanied them guiding them through the public transport system (train and tram) from Horwich Parkway to Old Trafford, returning to the hotel in the evening
Wednesday 22nd December
On behalf of the group Nicola Rimmer (BWFCISS Administrator) organsied for them to travel to the Soccer Dome at Trafford Park for some indoor training Nicola booked the Dome for a 2 hour session and arranged transport for the group to and from the venue and we agreed that the group could visit the nearby Trafford Centre for shopping afterwards. Earlier in the morning the group were taken on a tour of the Reebok Stadium and as the BWFC first team squad were training on the Reebok pitch that morning the group were given the opportunity to watch the session the Platinum Suite
Unfortunately the afternoon trip out was not without incident, one boy suffered a facial injury during training which needed stitches so he and a group leader were taken to Trafford General Hospital by Nicola. He was treated and rejoined the group later at the shopping centre. On the return journey back to the hotel the bus broke down reminding us of just how unlucky the group have been throughout their visit, myself and the group waited just under 2 hours for a replacement bus.
Forgetting about the injury and the bus breaking down the final day was a real highlight to the group as they finally got to kick a ball and got a real insight to behind the scenes at Bolton Wanderers. Having the opportunity to watch BWFC train will be an experience the boys will not forget!
Thursday 23rd December
The group said their goodbyes and departed for Heathrow Airport after some last minute shopping on the Middlebrook Retail Park.
On behalf on Bolton Wanderers Football Club International Soccer School we would like to thank the group, they represented their school and BWFC very well through what was a difficult trip. We hope that the boys went home with some great memories and experience, and hope to work with you again in the near future!