Members of the Edge School for Athletes' soccer program recently returned from a 10-day trip to the United Kingdom, where they got their kicks and culture in equal doses.
From Oct. 6 to 16, the Edge student-athletes enjoyed training sessions, games, and day-trips on English soil.
The overseas excursion was a huge success, according to Edge's soccer program director, Alan Rickwood. The long-time coach said previous international trips he'd gone on with his former soccer club in Calgary were what motivated him to do the same with a group of players from Edge School – a private school in Springbank that caters to high-level student-athletes in a variety of sports.
“It’s a cultural experience mixed with soccer,” he said. “I wanted to do something at Edge before COVID, but [the pandemic] obviously put us back a couple of years.”
The Edge group that went to England included 11 female and six male players, ranging in age from grades 9 to 12.
The co-ed group was mostly based in Leicester, where they underwent training clinics put on by Leicester City FC's academy coaches. A major benefit of the trip, Rickwood said, was the exposure the players received to different types of training.
They also played a few matches, including a co-ed game against a local boys' U15 side that ended in a 2-2 draw. The Edge girls also played a nine-vs.-nine game against Leicester City FC's female academy team, only losing by one goal.
According to Rickwood, the trip presented an opportunity for the players to immerse themselves in a soccer-crazy country. In addition to the multiple practice sessions and games they played in, he noted they got to attend a few professional games in England, including a Leicester City match in the English Premier League.
“The way soccer crowds are in England, it was eye-opening for some of them,” he said.
That's not to mention the cultural benefits. Mixed in with all the training sessions and games, Rickwood said the players went on day trips to London and Stratford-upon-Avon – the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
“We did a day trip to Stratford-upon-Avon and a number of them are studying Shakepeare in school, he said. “Just seeing a village whose houses have stood since the 1500s was eye-opening. Everything is so much older.”
Adding to the cultural experience, the players also visited Leicester's Museum of King Richard III, who was the last English king to die in battle, in 1485.
“Just seeing the weapons and the clothes that were worn in that era, and how they DNA’d his bones to realize it was him – I just think that historic side of it [is fascinating], especially because Canada is such a young country,” Rickwood said. “I think they appreciated that.
“We got a lot done – it was exhausting – but they got a lot of out it, both from soccer and culturally.”
For Rickwood, the trip was almost a homecoming of sorts. He is from England originally, having grown up in the Greater London area, but has lived in Canada for 20 years.
Before joining the Edge School's staff, he was a coach for north Calgary's Blizzard Soccer Club for many years.
Having taken over the Edge School's soccer program four years ago, Rickwood said an overseas trip was something he's wanted to do for quite some time. He noted it's the Edge soccer program's first-ever international excursion, and something the school is keen on turning into an annual event.
“We hope to make it a more regular occurrence to do a similar trip and maybe experience a different culture, see historic sights – and get to play some soccer as well,” he said, noting next year's trip will likely be a different country.
“We’re trying to grow the program and help build the character of the players by doing these cultural experiences.”
