36th European Junior & Cadet Championships, Paris, France 2009
Final Paris Report
Posted 2nd February 2009
Journey Home & Round-up
Well what can one say, a fantastic championships with England coming 7th overall out of 45 countries. Considering nearly 2 years ago there was a point where we may never have sent a squad again to a Junior European Championships, yet here we are, with a young squad, who are raring to go and are hungry for more, being placed in the top ten countries in Europe.
The squad returned to their hotel last night after the last event, buoyant, enthusiastic but emotionally drained (and a little hoarse from all the shouting and singing), but with a sense of euphoria. The coaches gave the squad a final debrief, which was on a more emotional and personal level on how they felt, the squad had acted, gelled and affected them personally.
The debrief ended with everyone wishing Stephanie Thorndick a happy birthday and giving her the birthday bumps!!! Another nice touch was that Carl Lindley arranged for a birthday cake to be brought to Stephanie at dinner, which was hugely embarrassing for Stephanie!!!!!
Monday morning and the squad gathered for one final time in the hotel foyer. Due to the adverse weather in Paris, the coach was delayed by one hour affecting the squads travel arrangements by Euro Star. The squad had to rearrange travel onto a later train delaying the arrival into St Pancras. The waiting parents were informed and everyone managed to compensate or make alternative arrangements. Once off the train, there were lots of emotional farewells amongst the team as many friendships and bonds had been formed. The squad and coaches then went their seperate ways, sad it was all over but happy to have been part of something special.
Everyone has worked really hard to make these championships successful, from the coaches, management, staff, the sponsor Chikara, Jelinet web support, all the way down to the Parents and supporters. The squad are a credit to their families, their associations and their governing body reiterating the President of the EKF Carl Lindleys sentiments. There was positive comments from the other nations who were pleasantly surprised to see England back competitive, and in full voice.
On a more personal note, Juliette Toney was fantastic as acting head coach, and was instrumental in getting the team to gel and work together. Greg Francis was very motivational and encouraging to the squad bringing out the best in them. It was great to have a current senior member of the National side assist in the kumite coaching in Davin Pack, he brought all his experiences in competing into his coaching. Jonathan Mottram, England's No1 kata exponent who has supported, encouraged and pushed kata to new levels for England, and inspire a younger generation to new height. Surdhur Mohinder, is invaluable and has been there for the squad ensuring their health and physical ability is maintained throughout a physically demanding championships.
Carl Lindley - EKF President, a leader by example, training with the squad, sitting with the squad at mealtimes, sitting with the supporters and squad members in the stands and lending his voice to cheer on the competitors, how many national federation's presidents do that!!!
A big thank you to Chikara Ltd for supporting the squad, sponsoring their tracksuits and supplying the England attire. Having the squad wearing the 3 lion emblem in various guises, helped for the squad's identify. The squad are now big on England hoodies!
To Jelinet and the webmaster.......what can we say, many hours and late nights have ensured a massive awareness of what the National Junior team went through at these championships, which many people don't normally get to see. Families and supporters have been kept up-to-date constantly, everyday, throughout these championships, which would not have been possible without their dedication and hard work.
We hope everyone enjoyed the reports, videos and photos and hopefully for those who couldn't be part of the championships it brought the championships to them.
English Karate Federation