England Exchange Program
England Exchange Program
The England Exchange program is a partnership between Blackbear United and the St. Clement Danes School located near Watford, England. Since 2006, Blackbear United has hosted teams from St. Clement Danes (SCD) and sent teams to stay with families from SCD. Each year Blackbear United can send teams either during February Break, Spring Break or in August. Every other year, SCD sends teams to the USA to stay with host families provided by Blackbear United. It truly is a great experience for all involved. We hope you have the opportunity either to host some great kids and staff from SCD and/or take advantage of the England Exchange program and stay with host families in England.
If you would like to host a player or two (or 4) from SCD, please email mjball@blackbearunited.com.
The British Are Coming in 2011 - St. Clement Danes will send a boys team in the summer of 2011 to stay with Blackbear United families, compete against local teams and enjoy all that Maine has to offer. In years past, the boys and girls from SCD love the lakes, hiking, shopping, pool parties etc. Of course they like their football (soccer) as well, but they truly enjoy what Maine has to offer in the summer months.
Blackbear United will send a girls team over either in August of 2011. Blackbear United will send a combined U16/U17 girls team over in August. In 2012, it will be a boys teams turn - U15 Boys get ready.
Stay tuned for more information including dates and opportunities to experience the England Exchange program.
Want to Learn More about the England Exchange? Read the information below which includes links to the British Blog, photos and stories.
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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. 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!
Host Families 2009: 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 |