In addition to the professional communication training, directors within Liverpool FC America presented on cornerstone programs and different aspects of coaching such as the Liverpool FC America curriculum, the Sports Session Planner and Bootroom, team management, the on-field approach to game-day, player programs, our elite programs, the academy and more.

Coaches shared valuable time working together in team building situations and experiencing firsthand the culture of the “Liverpool way” and how it is reflected throughout the Liverpool FC America organization.  Every coach is a part of the very fabric of the club with their years of experience, wisdom; knowledge and understanding contribute to who we are and where we are going. 

The culminating activity brought teams of coaches into competition to complete the task of building a child’s bike.  A very talented group of professionals with Idea Fountain Inc. created and conducted this amazing experience for the staff.   Throughout “The Bike Challenge” coaches were given the task of building a bike.  However, negotiating for bike parts, facing challenges together, overcoming obstacles and working under time constraints to complete the bike made these competitive men and women work together every step of the way.   Team after team, coach after coach celebrated their “competitive edge” only to find that at the end, it was never really a competition between the coaches at all.   It was always about building a bicycle so that, unknown to them, the children waiting just outside had a new bicycle to take home that very night.  The families of the children were contacted by the “Hearts and Hands of Liverpool” program and were academy or club athletes within our own club.  Some walked in to give hugs to their coaches and others were shy about their special gifts, but everyone in the room understood at that very moment that it is always about the children.

The “Bike Challenge” capped off a rewarding retreat that combined comradery, professional training and a love of the club into one amazing weekend. 

Our sincere appreciation to the extraordinary staff and leadership of the American Airlines Training and Conference Center, especially general manager Frank Will, for their tireless efforts to ensure that every requirement throughout the weekend was not only met, but exceeded all expectations.   We would also like to thank Brian McFarlin and Chris Streit from Dale Carnegie Training for their key input and delivery of the amazing sessions they delivered to the staff.  And finally, our very special thanks to Brigadier General Timothy P. McGuire, Deputy Director of Operations for USCENTCOM for his truly remarkable keynote address to the full club at the Coaches’ Awards Dinner on Saturday night.  With wisdom, humility and pride, BG McGuire spoke to the coaches about staying true to the pillars of character, quality and tradition and always remembering that they represent something far greater than themselves.  That honor and integrity are not just for the battlefield or combat, but for building the next generation of leaders, our players.