Monday 14th April, 2025
What a long day it was. The day began at around 4.00am for most of us and ended at 12.30am on Tuesday.
Most of the eighteen boys and three girls who travelled to Kissimmee, Florida with us, to participate in the Easter International Cup presented by Rayados and coordinated by Premier Soccer Services would have risen from their slumber between 4.00am - 4.15am this morning. The plan was to arrive at Piarco for 5.15am, so that we could be checked in early for our flight which was scheduled to leave at 8.30am.
Check-in went efficiently and smoothly without any hiccups. Kudos to our parents for having their children there on time and to the staff at Caribbean Airlines. The flight left on time and was smooth. We arrived at Orlando International Airport (MCO) at 12.50pm, disembarked and went through immigration/customs also smoothly.
Getting our rental vans took a while. We rented two vans, a 15 seater and a 12 seater which had to be collected outside of the airport. Once they arrived, we were off to our hotel where we are staying which is the Red Lion Hotel, Lake Buena Vista South. We arrived at the hotel at 4.18pm. The team checked-in, all were already grouped off, so each group was assigned their room.
So now, we have to get a light meal because the team has a scrimmage game at 7.00pm at Northwest recreation Complex, which is 50 minutes from the Red Lion Hotel. It’s now a bit of a hustle to get meals for 25 people and reach the venue on time. This scrimmage was arranged for us by Lester Calliste, a Trinbagonian living there. Thanks Lester.
We arrived at the venue at 6.55pm. The team warmed up. The adrenaline was pumping. You could see the excitement in all the players. During the first 5 - 8 minutes of the match, we were all over the place. Not connecting passes, miskicking the ball, communication was lacking, etc. Then, our first combination of passes ended with a shot on goal and everyone seemed to settle down. From there on, the contest was even back and forth, excitement galore with the few spectators making noise and cheering both teams. It was a creditable showing from our team especially after the long and arduous day they had. Great job guys and gals!
After the game on the way to the hotel we stopped at Golden Corral for dinner. We arrived back at the hotel at 11.15pm and lights-out was at 12.30am. A very long day, but the team manoeuvred through it professionally. We commend them for their tenacity.
Last but not least, we, the club (SKHY), the managers, the players and the parents thank wholeheartedly The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Airports Authority Trinidad & Tobago, Bermudez Biscuit Company, Trinidad Bottlers and Coops Carwash for their assistance in getting this team to this tournament. The young men and women will benefit greatly from this experience. As a matter of fact, all of them have already benefited. The camaraderie gained from raising funds, training, travelling to a foreign country and rooming together is a lesson in life that we think have already made them better individuals. It has built each one’s character. As the club’s motto states, ‘Learning is Winning’. It is more than just about football. Again a BIG THANK YOU to all our sponsors and supporters. Without you this tour would not have happened.
