DESTINATION:

Castlebar, County Mayo, and Galway City, County Galway, on Ireland's West Coast.

DATES:

Boston- Shannon -Boston, July 30 to August 9, 2009

ROSTER:

U16/U17, Boys and Girls teams

THE PROGRAM

The Atlantic Crossing program evolved from 20 years of feedback and soccer travel experience, aiming to help a player develop physically, emotionally, and intellectually. Not for the casual athlete, one is required to bring his/her talents, along with a good dose of cooperative spirit to the team. Each player will return with an improved attitude and approach to competition, training, and teamwork.tools which ultimately help performances.  The team, staff, and people met along the way all contribute to making this a lasting experience, and so much more than a series of matches, plane, and bus rides.

ITINERARY:

The Football:
Team Training every morning at our first location, Castlebar Celtic's new FAI training pitch, with an emphasis on communication and making decisions with speed. Demanding and a lot of fun, will bring another dimension to your game.  You'll be surprised how quickly you get to know each other, and become a team. We carry on with training after the move to Galway during the Umbro Cup.
Warm Up Matches (2 to 3, depending on our needs) with Castlebar, Westport, and Newport will give you exposure to the intense Irish approach to sport. Americans have produced decent results, and come away with a new understanding of what it means to concentrate for the full 90 minutes. No easing into a contest over there.from the first whistle the Irish will be coming at you, though they are often the first to offer a hand to help you up from the turf.  You'll get to know opponents on and off the pitch, with tea or a meal with them, one of the reasons the program makes such an impact on players.
The Umbro Cup offers a focus for the team. Opponents in the past have included teams from Ireland, Scotland, and England, played on the award winning Drom Soccer Park.ranks with the best facilities in the world. Check out the site: www.galwaycup.com .  We have worked with Salthill Devon FC for over 25 years.
The Culture:
Tours, meals, and activities are all part of the team building process. Generally for 45 minutes to an hour a day, or on the way to/from matches.no long hours sitting in a bus:
County Mayo provides a mix of nature, culture, and a thousand years of history all within an hour of our first base, Castlebar. Westport on Clew Bay, Croagh Patrick, Achill Island, beaches, and rugged countryside. All while being only a 10 minute walk from Castelbar's city centre, and modern conveniences (sorry, no McDonald's yet).
Galway City, popular with the players, includes Martin Ridge's colourful "round Galway" walkabout of the renovated waterfront, the Claddagh (now famous for it's ring), St.Nicholas' (built in 1300), and sites dating from 900AD to present.  It's an old market city and seaport.full of small shops, lively street buskers, musicians, and international visitors. You may find yourself saying "Slainte" or "Dia Dhuit" on your return! We'll take a trip to the famine memorials, Cliffs of Moher, and Burren.

REFERENCES

We have 25 years worth, and would be glad to put you in touch with folks.

PLAYERS' FEEDBACK

".We were treated like guests, rather than tourists; a great time, hard work, but staff had good sense of humor and still kept things under control".
".amazing pace to the game, had to make decisions faster than the best ball I've ever played in the US."
".communication, responsibility.hard work, I hadn't realized how much more concentration and effort can be put into playing with others.feel more mature and in control."
".team really came together in such a short time.I feel more comfortable meeting and dealing with new people now.level of competition really opened my eyes, learned what it takes to prepare for the next level.":

 WHO WE ARE

TOM JOHNSON, Atlantic Crossing Director, holds a USSF "A" level, and NSCAA Nat'l Advanced diplomas; has attended Dutch, Canadian, and UK coaching courses, worked with various corporate soccer promotions, and has traveled with teams since 1978. Additional staff bring a sound approach to learning on and off the pitch.

 HOUSING

Castlebar: Lough Lannagh Village, with a weight room, pool, and spa on site, a 10 minute walk to town, 10 minute ride to the training pitches.
Galway: Corrib Village, our headquarters for the Umbro Cup, 15 minute hike from downtown, and on the right side of town for easy access to Drom Soccer Park.

TRANSPORT

Your feet (yes, walking is a mode of transport outside the USA!), taxis, and motor coaches.

 ORIENTATION

Includes information on what to pack, money exchange, local customs, geography, player's responsibilities, and what to expect of the staff. Special needs or interests can be reviewed to help you make the most of the experience.

 MEDICAL INFORMATION

Medical information and emergency contact numbers will be collected; parents will be furnished with contact phone, fax, and email addresses should we have to be reached while overseas.

 PASSPORTS

Are required for travel into Ireland. Your local post office will have the applications, or click HERE for additional information. If you have a passport, check the expiration date!

CONTACT, QUESTIONS, or CONCERNS?

Atlantic Crossing
133 Steppingstone Road, Lee NH  03861-6613 
Phone:603.659.8040
Web site: http://atlanticcrossing.org 
email: Atlantic Crossing

 DEPOSITS

$250.00 deposit holds a space.is refunded should age group or player evaluation mean a player would not fit. For Credit Card payment, please click HERE.
For payment with check, please make payable to Atlantic Crossing, and mail to address above.

 TOTAL EXPENSES

Trip is "all inclusive", players are responsible only for their own personal shopping, phone calls, and snacks. We include orientation, staffing, round trip airfare and transfers, daily transport, housing, breakfast, lunch, dinner; laundry (wash and dry); all training, match, and touring costs.
Please contact us for current 2009 pricing.