The 6 games in our zone A completed, and by extension all 24 games across the 4 zones, leaving 8 quarter-finalists; Unfortunately, we did not qualify.

The greater task awaited us, to keep developing outside of the competition but closely wrapped within its central core. We aimed to become more disciplined and soar to greater dimensions. We started our new chapter yesterday afternoon, as we do everyday, with a team meeting to discuss and plan the new challenge.

Firstly, we wanted to pinpoint what each player’s long-term goals were, including to study, to grow, and what career path they’re interested in and how they intend to achieve it. Two hours later, each player laid out his heart, brain, and vision on the floor to share with all his teammates, as team manager Monica Malcolm-McFarlene guided the thoughts gently forward as only a caring mother and teacher could – with love.

An 8 o’clock breakfast was quickly followed by a 9am technical meeting of all 12 clubs with the CONCACAF experts. They introduced the ideas of FIFA D Licensing in coaching across the region for youth development, and creating local competitions of which each country will soon qualify to be a participant in this and other CONCACAF tournaments; Change is coming. At 10am, 18 participants covering the 12 clubs congregated in the ballroom to be introduced to the history and process of how CONCACAF was founded and operates.

Going forward, we continued to soar for the greater development of the human spirit through the sport of football, not just the immediate result of the games.

For just about 3 minutes earlier today, we were told all of the discipline, hard work and sacrifice we had invested before were rewarded, achieving our goal of belief in ourselves. This proved true via our talent and commitment to rise up after the worst-ever start to immediately recover and overcome. We are Harbour View FC, the Stars of the East!

At 11am, we and our newest best friends, the Canadians of Vancouver Whitecaps, joined together in a private session. The session was governed by two young sports phycologists ladies to conduct games of life with the players through which each learned the virtues of values. Balls were thrown around the room instinctively which relaxed the 32 boys into a fun mode. An audiovisual presentation of colour-coded messages about a wide range of words suddenly took a new meaning to explore. A game of a public auction evolved as play money and name cards were bargained for, each winner bidded for attitudes most valuable to them and their teams of four. We exchanged thank yous at the end of the collective play session, as Kellijah Morgan offered our vote of thanks, and ‘Bill’ of Vancouver followed.

Spirits high, we departed as the message delivered by the technical staff yesterday rebounded with the players from a totally new source…sold it. More fun time as we went off to the nearby Marti Mall to have the group unwind. Firstly shopped for gifts for siblings, parents, and themselves, then we raided the two sports stores, of course, followed by a phone store, kiosks, and browsing shops. Chatting made way for the main attraction, our last stop at the mall’s game centre.

Games, games and more games, a kids’ heaven. Car and bike driving / riding (or crashing if you prefer), football shots against beginner and professional goalkeeper, basketball hoop shots, spin-the-wheel, table soccer, shooting aliens with every player and our equipment manager posing as Arnold Schwarzenegger. Tickets were won, valuables bought and players’ financial reserve extinguished, all in the name of good fun. 2 hours later, exhausted and hungry, the crew of 20 returned to the Fiesta Inn down the road. A really full day, dinner and bedtime ensued.