If you’re looking to combine fun and football (or should I say Soccer), you’re in the right place. Orlando is the perfect destination to enjoy the thrills of rides, soak up the sunshine and play football against local opposition. With this in mind, Hungerhill School decided to do just this and hopped across the pond to experience another fantastic sports tour.
After a slight delay at Gatwick airport we finally landed in Orlando ready for a great week ahead. There’s certainly a spring in everyone’s step this morning as the realisation of spending a week in Orlando is upon us. As we head down for breakfast we were not disappointed, a full buffet consisting of eggs, bacon, sausages, beans, pancakes, muffins, fruit and cereal was presented in front of us – so much choice, what do you go for?!
After we devoured the wonderful breakfast it was time to head over to Orlando City Soccer Club’s training facilities for a full day professional coaching session and professional it was! We were greeted by 3 fantastic coaches who put the boys and girls through their paces with a variety of drills that will enhance their performance in games.
Asha Devall
Tour Co-ordinator
Day 2 was a day of well-deserved R&R; it was time to hit the waterpark. With the sun beaming down everyone was excited to cool off on some of the best water rides in Orlando. Is there a better way to spend your days??
The days are going so fast that we’re almost halfway through the week but feel as though we’ve just got here… I suppose the saying is right – time flies when you’re having fun.
Everyone is feeling relaxed and refreshed ready for the key part of the tour – fixtures – but first it’s times for a spot of shopping at Orlando Premium Outlets… when I say a spot, I mean a lot!! You can definitely bag yourself a bargain here.
Following a great morning shopping it was time to put the show on the road travelling to Clermont for our first tour fixtures. As the teams lined up it was time for both National Anthems, starting with USA, standing tall facing their flag the opposition players and parents sang loud and proud, it was then time for God Save the Queen – a lovely touch from the hosts.
The games got underway and the competitive levels shone through – it certainly was a great spectacle as well as a unique experience for all the students, now having friends across the pond. In true American hospitality, post-match snacks and beverages were put on for the players to enjoy time together after the games.
As a great evening comes to a close, we returned to the hotel ready for a full day of thrills tomorrow at Busch Gardens.
The morning had arrived so it was an early start for breakfast before boarding the coach to Busch Gardens, arriving for opening. A fun day was had by all enjoying the adrenaline of the fast rides and cooling off on the log fume… it was a scorcher of a day so perfect to top up those tans.
As we returned to the hotel we were preparing for our last full day in Orlando tomorrow. As Saturday came, it was time for our second and final fixtures – which was another great spectacle. All teams put in a great work rate and certainly used the skills and techniques they learnt earlier in the week at Orlando City SC training session. The team morale and determination to win a game of football was fantastic to see and it certainly ended the tour on a high.
Hungerhill School were an absolute dream to be away with and I am so proud of all of them for showing determination, teamwork and sportsmanship for the entire time, which resulted in an extremely successful tour.