Day 91 - More fun and games and a feisty 6-a-side affair

The warms up in action.

Day 91 - 22nd September

After waking up a little groggy from a restless night (the storm was so loud), I had my breakfast and headed off to Globalteer so we could get ready for a day at Project B.

Explanations ...

We spent about two hours in two sessions in the morning, going through the same drills as the day before. Once again the kids had a good grasp of the social message and enjoyed chasing each other about. We had a few trips and slips but that just brought more laughter and screams from two groups of very excited kids. You've gotta love it!

The kids are so well behaved. And look at me, rocking the Adidas full kit!

Heading back for lunch, I grabbed a Cup 'o' Noodles and went straight to the Globalteer offices to finish my editing. The iPad app for Word doesn't let you do a real job of line spacing if you have the basic package (take note Microsoft and Apple - you're letting the consumer down with you add ons packs). 

After days and hours of solid work, I finally finished my TV drama script. Hopefully coming to your screens in 2017! Yes, it really does take that long.

Ready, steady . . .

We were back at Project B for more afternoon session but the second was cancelled because we had the kids from that session in a class for the first hour. Again, they identified the social message on their own which is always a positive. It means they understand the importance of health and hygiene that perhaps some of the older generation haven't be educated about.

I had a quick toastie at The Red Piano before heading over to Samakee for our weekly training game. Oh, it was pouring down again with huge forks of lightning coming down on my way there so that was enough to make me pedal faster on my bike from Bou Savy to the AstroTurf.

We were playing against some Khmer guys and it's my first experience of a team that closely resembled a team from home. They liked a physical battle and with me playing up top, one guy liked to lead with his knee in my back. 

Eventually, after we went 4-0 down, this defender pushed his luck and ended up with a taste of his own medicine from one of our players. Once this was out of their systems, the game continued competitively and we managed to get the score back to a more respectable 6-4.

In the end, it was a good game. I bagged one and Charlie and Dave shared the other three between them. Encouraging signs of a team coming together, perhaps just in time for a game against a big team, Carlton Palmer F.C on Thursday. We shall see.

I arrived back and dropped off. This volunteering malarkey is exhausting.

Find out more about Globalteer Sports Project on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlobalteerSportsProject

Day 90 - Final script edits and afternoon of fun!

Me trying to teach something!

Day 90 - 21st September

A new week, a new timetable.

We now visit five NGOs and schools instead of the original ten. An exciting prospect given that we get to be with a school for basically a whole day at a time.

The morning sports for social impact meeting was cancelled due to Charlie being in Battambang for two days. DK and I went through the game for the week - a box would be set up in which the kids would need to evade capture from one attacker. If they were caught, they'd have to sit down. Then we would introduce another attacker to make it more difficult. Finally, we would aid the kids by throwing balls for them to catch when they had been caught, effectively freeing them to run again.

The lesson of the week is to tell the kids the importance of health and hygiene. The message of the game is the attacker is sickness, trying to bring them down. We as the coaches are the medicine or health care, looking to help them back to health. It doesn't sound that powerful when explaining it but believe me, it has a strong impact on the kids, especially if they have fun!

I tried to finish my script completely but I had to head off to lessons. I will finish the bloody thing before Thursday's 5pm deadline.

Our class!

In the afternoon, we had two lessons at Project A, a nice little place out in the countryside. The playing field, as you can see, is perfect for what we were trying to achieve. Srey Mom joined us.

The kids love this warm up. A more mobile version of Dan says.

More painful than it looks.

The lad said we had a cheater in our ranks. Kids will be kids!

Following my warm ups, we went straight into the lesson. DK had devised the game and had said it would work. Boy, was he right. The kids absolutely loved it and competed in great spirit with each other. The social message was also clear to them as they detailed the importance of washing hands, washing, showering, brushing their teeth and all the things we do naturally without even thinking.

Coach DK's game.

Coach Srey Mom loves the sports too.

By the end of the two hours, we were surprisingly tired.

What a dinner!

I headed out for fish and chicken kebab before picking up some noodles to accompany them from my favourite noodle place. The combination was cracking as you can see.

The Cable Guy was on Fox Movies (please forgive me) so I put it on whilst I did some illustrations for my latest children's picture book. Hopefully I can get them finished whilst I travel. The build up of heat all day had caused a outrageous thunderstorm which was spectacular to watch, from inside.

I hope the rest of the days ahead this week bring less heat and more fun!

Find out more about Globalteer Sports Project on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlobalteerSportsProject