Jersey Sky Blue training officially kicked off last Thursday (May 1). Among the earlybirds to camp--fresh off the plane in fact--are a virtual "United Nations" of players: 2 from Australia (via Canada and South Carolina); one from Ireland (via England); and 2 from Canada. When they aren't creating what coaches Denise Reddy and Dave Hodgson note is an "instant bond" on the field, they are working on it off the field. That camaraderie is taking place at the elegant housing acommodations several miles from training--apartments which include great meals and services.
Assistant coach Hodgson reports that coach Reddy starts each practice with a getting-to-know-you question session. One day it was nicknames, another day favorite bands (There's even a country music fan in the group. How'd she find her way to New Jersey?!). When Reddy asked for a favorite number, it turned out to clue the team on how like-minded the three coaches, including new goalkeeper coach Ryan Hayward, are. Stange as it seems, all three coaches answered #17.
The excitement players feel to get going is no joke. Hodgson relates that goalkeeper Jillian Lloyden was so pumped, she couldn't sleep the night before the first session. That mirrors the staff, especially our own Kristin Lettiere, stressed from orchestrating our move to the new office.
No more caffeine for you guys, although that's going to be tough to avoid when Sky Blue COO Francesco Prandoni finally moves his espresso machine to the new digs.
COME OUT AND SEE JERSEY SKY BLUE AT TRYOUTS THIS SUNDAY (MAY 4), RIVER ROAD FIELDS IN BEDMINSTER STARTING AT 1 PM.
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