Bring-It Promotions Juniors Summer Tour 2007 – Greece 2007

Being invited to coach on a Bring-It Promotions tour as a coach or a player is not only a reward but an honor. One has the opportunity to gain exposure to international volleyball as well as be introduced to new cultures throughout the world. During the past six years while I was in college, I had the chance to coach on five BIP juniors tours all over the world. These tours have provided the experience for me to travel through three different continents along with giving me the chance to develop as a coach. As my desire and goal to be a collegiate coach as a freshman in college, I wanted to get into coaching and what better way than coaching juniors in club season as well as on summer tours. Bring-It Promotions has allowed me to coach young American women ranging from ages ten to twenty-two against some great competition in the following countries: Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and Czech Republic (2002); Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia,  and Italy (2003); South Africa (2004); Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia (2006); and most recently – Greece (2007).

This past summer was a new adventure for me traveling with three juniors teams as well as several other coaches, chaperones, and parents. I was able to travel with some of my former teammates from University of Montevallo as well as build camaraderie with athletes and families from other parts of the United States. This tour allowed us to travel through the streets and markets of Athens along with explore some of the most historical sites of the world. We were able to experience the ancient and modern Olympic stadiums and the following structures located at the Acropolis of Athens: Parthenon, Theatre of Dionyses, Library of Hadrian, Agora, etc. With the authorities watching our every move, we were reprimanded by shouts and whistles along with witnessing a dog attack, the changing of the guard at Congress and even a pigeon attack in front of Parliament located in downtown Athens. Meanwhile during our stay on the mainland, we resided at a Sport Camp in Loutraki which provided traditional Greek cuisine along with a pool, sandcourt, and two nearby gyms in which we were able to practice and compete against three Greek teams. The competition was definitely challenging; however, or teams faired well against the competition and played at new levels. Loutraki also allowed us to experience the pebble beaches with every type of bathing suit imaginable and a boardwalk consisting of wonderful restaurants, tourist shops, and breathtaking scenery. Finally, our Greek and Slovenian tour guides arranged a tour of ancient Mycenean history by means of a museum and walking visit of a previous village and culture guarded by the Lions Gate.

My favorite part of the trip was the second half of the tour on the island of Paros. Not only did we stay in a gorgeous hotel with free internet (a commodity that many girls cannot live without), a refreshing pool, and located within walking distance of several restaurants, shops, and the beach, but we had an experience that many of the parents (especially mine) would cringe at the concept of of the adventure. Several of the parents and chaperones, coaches, and older players rented mo-peds to survey the island. Although I almost ran into a concrete wall, notice almost is the key word, and a couple other drivers had minor accidents, the adventures on the mo-peds were a lifetime experience. Some people of the tour group took the mo-peds to drive the circumference of the island to sight-see while others drove the mopeds to snorkeling excursions and shopping voyages on other locations of the island. All in all, the island definitely provided adventure on a daily basis. The island also gave opportunities to watch sunset after sunset on the beach, swim at the hotel, shop, go to a movie theatre, visit traditional restaurants and an opportunity to gaze at God’s amazing creation.

Nonetheless, whether coaching in the states or traveling by several planes and ferries to reach lands unknown to many Americans, I will treasure any opportunity to I am given to be able to share a part of my life that I have loved for so long. Bring-It Promotions provides a means for many young males and females to experience the world and create memories and friendships that last a lifetime. So, some may say, “What’s next?” Well after playing and coaching in North America, Europe, Africa, and Australia, I think that we must venture to South America in summer 2008…Argentina, here we come!