Toddy Goes Stateside

What started off as a pipe-dream last winter, finally became reality this week when Chris Todd, the outstanding find of last season, flew into Philadelphia Airport.

Day 6: Thursday 28th June 2001

First, this is for Coatesey if you're reading this: Congratulations to you and Zoe on your marriage. I thought of you today and wished I could be with you. I know you understand.

And while I'm on the subject of congratulations, I can't let the opportunity pass to congratulate TONY SANTORE - what a super guy. You would not beliece how much he has done for me personally and for the football camp. Although I'm thousands of miles away from home, his family have been so nice and helpful to me, I feel that I've been right at home. Tony, you will have noticed from earlier diary entries, is a grandfather - but is like a 25 year old! He is a great coach and has become a great friend. Thank you Tony for everything.

Now to the camp. Today was not as hot as yesterday, and not as humid, so we were able to work a little harder.

To show you how keen these kids are to learn, there are three kids who have been injured -- one with a broken arm, one with a sprained thumb, and one with an ankle sprain -- who have been coming to the camp every day even though they couldn't work with us. They stand near their groups and listen and watch and learn.

(Oh, before you get the wrong idea, it was NOT my coaching that caused their injuries!)

After our morning session, some of the boys taught me the American football way of punting and "place-kicking." They were surprised that I could do it so well and told me that I should apply for a job kicking for an American team. They assured me that I would make a lot of money!

The Food Report! For supper today, we went to a "Steak House." The menu is not limited to steaks, as you might think, as they also had a large buffet and a large salad bar, as well as a bread bar, and a dessert bar. It's a bit like a Pizza Hut -- eat as much as you like.

I had the "buffet," which meant anything I wanted from the buffet and salad bar, and the other bars, and as much as I wanted. I was surprised when the waitress kept bringing a stack of empty dishes and putting them in the centre of the table. I learned that whenever I finished one plate of food, I was to take a clean plate and start again. There were 7 of us at the table, but the stack always seemed to be there. Here too, you just get stuck in.

The waitresses and waiters over here are very courteous, every one of them. I have never been called "Sir" so many times in my life.

After supper, I went on my final shopping trip to the mall. I'll bring back a couple of gifts for Mum and Dad, Lynda, and my brothers, that will set them alight!

And now, before I close for today, I thought you might like to see the faces of some of the happy football-mad kids I have been seeing every day.

Laura the physio	Coaches: Dave (MSB), Dan (HSB), Brad (HSG)	Middle Schoolers
Middle Schoolers	Middle Schoolers	Senior High School girls
Senior High School boys	Senior High School boys	Senior High School boys

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