England Exchange Program
2009 England Exchange Successful - The St. Clement Danes U-15 and U-18 Boys Soccer teams have come and gone. It was a fabulous experience for everyone. Many e-mails have come in from the UK Moms and Dad's already telling us what a wonderful time their son's had over here.
If you were not around and did not have an opportunity to watch, meet, and participate in any of the events and would like to find out more then visit the England Exchange Blog.
Once again we would like to thank each one of the host families for housing, feeding and chauffeuring these fine young men to all their games and events … oh and shopping (numerous times).
Thank you to Hampden Academy for the use of their fields, Mark Trombley for organizing a game with the U18 SCD team, Cam and Cody Cormier for gathering a team to play both SCD teams, the Terrier 15 Boys for playing both SCD teams and Seth Brown for training the SCD boys. A special thank you to the host families for their generous hospitality and the Gilpin Family for donating the use of their much needed van for the week long stay.
We look forward to our upcoming trip to the UK in 2010 when we will be taking our U-16 Girls team over April break.
To the host families, we welcome any thoughts on this recent hosting experience and suggestions to make future visits better for everyone.
Please e-mail mjball@blackbearunited.com or and/or Hal at hmeyers1@mac.com
And once again, THANK YOU!
The British Are Coming! From July 19th - 28th Blackbear United will host 37 players and 4 staff members from St. Clement Danes, as part of our England Exchange program. Thank you to the 17 families listed below who have opened their homes as host families.
Host Families: Hal/Laurie Meyers | Mike/Tammy Cormier | Jim/Ellen Tobin | Glen/Jane Veeveart | Mike/Della Gleason | Amanda/Abel Gleason | Marie Kelly/Maggie Harding | Al/Erica Tripp | Seth/Mariko Brown | Albert/Denise Allen | Glenn/Renee Hudgens | Jay/Sandy Pyne | Donna/Jay Treadwell | Brenda/Kevin Tarr | Paul Smith/Bonnie Heyer | Ruth/Mark Fitzpatrick | Mike/Paula McHugh |
Please view the documents below and join in on any activities:
2008 England Exchange Trip
England Tour 2008
View Online Slideshow of England Tour 2008 - 
Blackbear United created an exchange program with the St. Clement Danes School in 2005. The St. Clement Danes School (SCD) is located 30 miles north of London in Watford, England.
Every other summer Blackbear United families host the SCD players and coaches and each spring break, Blackbear United sends a team to stay with host families. Since the programs inception, Blackbear has hosted over 100 players and coaches and sent 40 to England.
In 2007, Blackbear United sent our first team to England (see information below) and in 2008 will send the U18 Girls.
In 2005, Blackbear United hosted 2 boys teams and in 2007 hosted a boys team and a girls team. In 2009, Blackbear United will send our current U16 Boys team and our current U16 Girls team.
Highlights of England Exchange Program:
- Train with and play against players from other countries
- Watch and learn from professional teams
- Visit historic landmarks and the nation’s top soccer stadiums
- Experience the soccer trip of a lifetime
- Matches against professional Academy and Center of Excellence teams
- Training sessions supplied by professional soccer clubs
- Guided tours around professional soccer stadiums
- Opportunity to watch live professional soccer matches
- Sightseeing throughout London and surrounding landmarks
- Competitive games and training sessions
- Everlasting memories and relationships
England Tour 2008 Trip Itinerary
Saturday, April 19th
Meet at 10:00am at Concord Trailways on Union Street and travel from Bangor to Logan Airport leaving 11:15am
Arrive at Logan Airport at 3:45pm
Depart Logan at 7:45pm via Virgin Atlantic Flight #12
Sunday, April 20th
Arrive London Heathrow at 7:15am - meet SCD mini-vans and head directly to Liverpool at Watford ladies game
Meet host family at SCD at 1:30pm
Afternoon and evening with host family - relax and sleep
Monday, April 21st
8:30am: Arrive at SCD with host family
9:00am - 11:00am: Training at SCD School
Training Conducted by Luther Blissett (former Watford, AC Milan and England player)
12:00pm: Head to London for lunch and sightseeing
6:00pm: Game vs. St. Clement Danes on turf field
Tuesday, April 22nd
8:30am: Arrive at SCD with host family
9:00am - 11:00am: Training at SCD School
Training conducted by John McDermott - Youth Academy Coach - Tottenham Hotspur / Former England National Coach
12:00pm: Head to London for lunch and sightseeing
7:00pm: Meet host family at SCD for dinner
Wednesday, April 23rd
8:30am: Arrive at SCD with host family
9:00am - 11:00am: Training at SCD School
Training conducted by Nick Cox - Youth Academy Coach - Watford FC
11:30am: Head to Watford City Centre for lunch and shopping
3:00pm: Meet at SCD for travel to Queens City for game
4:30pm: Game vs. Queens City at Queens City
Thursday, April 24th
8:30am: Arrive at SCD with host family
9:00am - 11:00am: Training at SCD School
Training conducted by Ian Birkett - SCD First Team Coach
12:00pm: Head to London for afternoon for lunch and shopping
6:00pm: Meet at SCD to travel to Emirates Stadium for 7:00pm kick-off between Chelsea and Arsenal Ladies
Friday, April 25th
8:30am: Arrive at SCD with host family
9:00am - 11:00am: Training at SCD School
Training conducted by Graham Brown - Former Arsenal and Watford Youth Academy Coach
12:00pm: Lunch at SCD
1:00pm - 3:00pm: Attend afternoon school schedule with hosts
3:00pm: Travel from SCD to Westfield for game
4:30pm: Game vs. Westfield School
Saturday, April 26th
11:00am: Meet at SCD for bus trip to London Heathrow Airport
Depart London Heathrow at 2:45pm via Virgin Atlantic Flight #11
Arrive home to Logan Airport at 5:00pm
6:00pm: Meet Cyr Bus and travel back to Dysarts - arriving approx. 11:00pm
England Tour 2007
In the spring of 2007, Blackbear United sent the Under 18 Boys to England. Below is the trip itinerary which included meeting Brad Friedel and members of the Blackburn Rovers after the Fulham and Blackburn match plus a great training session by Luther Blissett who is an icon in England. The U18's were also able to visit the Watford Training Ground, meet the players and coaches and play against the U16 Watford Academy team on their pristine field.
Sunday, April 15th:
9:00AM – Meet at Dysart’s
10:00AM - Depart Dysart’s via Cyr Bus for Logan Airport
3:00PM – Approximate arrival at Logan Airport
6:02PM - Depart BOSTON on NORTHWEST Flight #373Q
8:23PM - Arrive Detroit at 8:23PM
9:20PM - Depart Detroit at 9:20PM on NORTHWEST Flight #32Q
Monday, April 16th:
10:05AM - Arrive London Gatwick Airport (meet bus)
Lunch at Kensington Castle on the way to St. Clement Danes
2:00pm – Light Training at St. Clement Danes School
3:45pm – Meet hosts at St. Clement Danes and head home to SLEEP/RELAX
Tuesday, April 17th:
9:00am – 11:00am: Training at St. Clement Danes with Luther Blissett (former England and Watford Player - first black professional to earn 1 million pounds)
2:00pm: Trip to London
6:00pm: Game vs. St. Clement Danes First Eleven
Wednesday, April 18th:
9:00am – 11:00am: Training at St. Clement Danes with John Daney - former Watford Academy Coach
1:00pm: Meeting with St. Clement Danes students on USA education, process and options
3:00pm: Meet Carlos Cudiccini (Chelsea Goalkeeper at sportstore)
6:00pm: Game vs. QPR Academy team
Thursday, April 19th:
9:00am – 11:00am: Game vs. Watford Academy U16 team
2:00pm: Tour of Watford FC Ground (Vicarage Road)
Evening off with host family
Friday, April 20th:
9:00am – 11:00am: Training at St. Clement Dane with Skillsy - Watford Skills coach
2:00pm: Trip to London
7:00pm: Game vs. Northwood FC U18’s
Saturday, April 21st:
10:30am – Watch U16 & U18 Watford Youth Game vs. Aston Villa
1:00pm – Head to Cottage Road in Fulham for EPL game
3:00pm - Attend Blackburn vs. Fulham English Premier Game
5:00pm – Meet Brad Friedel and players afterward
Sunday, April 22nd:
9:30AM – Depart St. Clement Danes School for Gatwick Airport
1:50PM - Depart London Gatwick on NORTHWEST Flight #31H
5:20PM – Arrive at Detroit/Metro Airport
7:01PM – Depart Detroit Metro on NORTHWEST Flight #996H
8:48PM - Arrive Boston Logan Airport
9:30PM – Depart Boston Logan Airport via Cyr Bus
2:30AM – Approximate arrival at Bangor
Rest, Rest, Rest
