The Inspirational Pre-Season Observances of @LondonSkolarsRL #SouthernHeartlandRL

Psalm 1 – The Initial Observance

Just returned from the home of the ‪#‎BlackRednGreen of N22 and a Pre-season visualisation session with London Skolars Rugby League.

Awesome trainer with Jermaine, Matthew Cuss and Matt, thanks for having me guys. You have certainly laid the platform, set the standard and raised the bar in readiness for Wigan Warriors on 22nd and London Broncos RL on the 30th!!!

The effort and attitude was top drawer and this is why I love our game!! ‪#‎SouthernHeartlandrRL on your doorstep.

Make sure you grab with all of your might!!!

Psalm 2 – The Observance of Building Momentum

Another Vikinglytastic evening at the home of the ‪#‎TheBlackRednGreenofN22 being inspired by the First team going through their session of Power!!

More lads than last week, more urgency, even more smiles, no let up from the Boys of New River in freezing, wet n windy conditions!!

Another great Pre-season build up to January 22nd and 30th for the London Skolars Rugby League and London Skolars Juniors & Minis.

Psalm 3 – The Observance of Team

Just when you thought you may have missed out on the ‪#‎VikingRugby’s journey of London Skolars Rugby League Inspiration fear not for I have an update for one and all.

Two nights ago I arrived earlier than usual to an ice like evening in the ‪#‎SouthernHeartlandofRL in N22.

As I strolled over to soak up the warm up the Coaches were enroute but there was an enthusiasm of Nordic Proportions around the lads of the ‪#‎BlackRednGreen. This group WANT to be there, they WANT to learn, they WANT to improve.

This sort of TEAM attitude blows my mind, so once Matthew Cuss, Matt Lambert and HC JC arrived I let them know my feelings on the matter. All VikinglyLike positive, no negatives here in N22 people!!

The temperature was dropping like a brick, minute by minute, the hands became as crisp as my freezing water bottle, the pace upped, the team spirit, together!!

Introduce a bag or two and Big Dave Williams unleashing shots and you will sidestep or find yourself being peeled off the freezing 4G!!LOL!!

A great warm up then JC would lead the boys into their set ups for the Big game against Wigan Warriors this Friday at the HAC in the Square mile!!

The evening’s weather may have frozen the carbuncles of the proverbial donkey but watching these guys go through their paces is top drawer and left me wanting more!!

Good luck to all of the Skolars lads for tomorrow, the London Skolars Juniors & Minis will be supporting from far and wide. I will be unable to attend due to work commitments but will be there in Vikinglylike Inspirational spirit.

Good luck to the ‪#‎BRnG

Psalm 4 – The Homecoming Observance

For the attention of one Matt Lambert,

On what some would call a Tropical evening in the ‪#‎SouthernHeartland of Rugby League in N22, with wind howling, rain soaking, there was a major difference between this evening and the same last week, no ice!!

HC JC would lead the ‪#‎BlackRednGreenofN22 in another positive attitude led session of inspiration alongside his partner in motivation, one Matthew Cuss!

I cannot wait for Saturday to get my first look at the London Skolars Rugby League lads. Again, and I can’t stress this enough readers of the Nordic word, the attitude and respect shown and given blows my mind. It was top drawer when I first rocked up four weeks ago and has since shown signs of improvement week on week.

This team grows together week on week, the chat on field is wicked, the support, always there in abundance and all in one cause. The belief and togetherness of the Boys from N22!!

If you have an opportunity to get down to New River on Saturday with or without a child, do it!!!

For this is your chance to bear witness to the greatest game played on your very doorstep!!

Please spread the word far and wide, time to build a crowd for the homecoming Ian McNeil!!

Psalm 5 – The Observance of Commitment

It was a clear, crisp and chilled evening in N22 as I sat in the stand awaiting the arrival of Team London Skolars Rugby League and a wait worthwhile.

I’m sure the lads felt disappointed with Saturday’s outcome but the performance for most of it was going in the right direction and that is where this evenings Observance would take the Viking this evening.

For on evenings like this shows you what players have got what it takes to remain committed to the cause of ‪#‎TheBlackRednGreen and look to push forward. There were none that would refuse this chalice.

The session would have a fitness neigh, power; feel about it and from watching from the sidelines there was no let up for one and all. The Coaching combo of Coleman and Cuss delivering like Hall and Oates at their peak would marshall the lads around the pitch, one challenge at a time, building the momentum, unleashing a little Beast then hitting the skills and then some!!

This is a team with togetherness, the uplifting chat from each and every one of them, the encouragement there when your mate needs it most. The results there for all to see.

Sessions end produced the classic kick tennis and the smiles would say it all.

This is where it begins people, ‪#‎SouthernHeartlandRL on your very doorstep.

I thank you for your time and please feel free to share or spread like butter!! Matt Lambert, Dave Williams, Matthew Cuss, Dion Aaron Chapman.

Psalm 6 – The Observance of Power

Another evening of crispiness would spread across the calm here at the home of London Skolars Rugby League Club. The approach by ‪#‎TheBlackRednGreen here in the heart of N22 was, without a doubt, on the money.

With the opening matchups just around the corner there would be no let up in the effort, there would be no easy outs here, for this evening was all about continuing building the momentum, getting the mind right, building the TEAM, the SPIRIT, the WORK ETHIC!!

All of the above please!! Under the guidance of HC JC and Messrs Matt Lambert and Matthew Cuss directing operations this was always going to go to the next level and as an Observer of Nordic proportions one would not be disappointed at the outcome and the commitment on display.

From the off the lads would up the ante’ at every opportunity, all encouraging, all motivating, all Vikingly Inspiring. The team was harmonising, the chat building in and out of contact. As the hits grew ever larger, the encouragement would encompass one and all.

By the time the guys reached what was to become the final power part of this evenings foray into our Rugby league journey there would be no stone left unturned, the line speed would improve, the hands would gladly receive the ball, the hits became gargantuan and the bonds of a team looking forward were being worn for all to see.

It may still only be February, but here in ‪#‎TheSouthernHeartland on a cold, Vikinglike evening the Boys from N22 are coming along nicely.

Go forth and spread the word like Peanut butter jelly!!

Psalm 7 – The Observance of Pre-Season Finality

The Ever Inspirational Pre-Seasoning ‪#‎BlackRednGreen of London Skolars Rugby League. The standards, already set, the bar, forever raised, the Mindset, prepared!!

The time had come, for now the Boys from N22 were into match day training mode and building the momentum towards the huge cup game against divisional rivals from the Valleys and the Scorpions of South Wales this coming Saturday.

The session would be full on commitment to tightening up on that they have learned over the last weeks and months as the lads had prepared mentally and physically for this day!

With HC JC overlooking proceedings and the Awesome twosome of Matthew Cuss and Matt Lambert delivering what was required to the 30+ lads the session would be as tough mentally as the hits would be physically.

The intensity ramped up, the speed of hand, even more so, the hits would leave their mark and the lads would become Battle Hardened and ready for the challenge that lay ahead.

Fear not my friends for this will not be the last Inspirational Scribing, this is only the beginning, of what, in my opinion, will be the most exciting season for THE Skolars of N22!!

Having observed, viewed and visualised the coming together of a group of young men that have motivated me to stand on the sideline for two hours a week in the freezing arctic blasts I cannot wait to see these guys unleash the Rugby League beast of ‪#‎TheSouthernHeartland.

Let us fill the rafters of New River and be the 14th man, woman, or child to give the lads our vocal support as we look for an opening victory that will set us on our way for the 2016 campaign!!

Ladies and Gentlemen I give you London Skolars Rugby League!!

An Inspiring Blast of Vikingness with #The BlackRednGreen U12s/13s

An extremely crisp, clear and precipitous morning would greet us as we approached the home of Rugby League in the Southern Heartland of Rugby League.

With session in one hand, two lots of cones at the ready and the Viking in his finest regalia would meet the Nordic weather head on. For this would be Summer Rugby with wind-chill and the #BlackRednGreen of Skolars finest juniors would not let the conditions dictate play.

After last week’s mind-blowing Icelandic session I would lay yet more challenges down for the young Skolars of the future and get them thinking about the Greatest Game once again.

The wind picked up, the guys picked up a ball, the wind-chill began to freeze hands, the skills on display would warm the heart and blow the mind. The enthusiasm would be inspired and reciprocated. For these young athletes would not let an icy wind-chill deter them from having fun with the only ball worth worrying about.

It was a coaching minefield but one dutifully accepted by the Ever Tanning inspiration, who by the way had recently suntanned on Thursday!!

The ten passes would lead us into the paciest Rugby Netball known to Nordics and led us into the Promised Land.

Skills required in THE game is the ability to grip, carry and play the ball, all of the above on display in our half pitch team race, add into that some protective falling and Embed the Pathway would be tearful at this point with joy!!

There would be no let up as challenge after challenge, skill after skill would be displayed with smiles as wide as Perth Road and as the catches were made I couldn’t have been prouder.

The wind chilled ever so more, the hands would be even crispier than a Rice Krispie square bar, the calling even more in tune than the Fab 4 harmonies. The two vs. one would be quick and definate, the basics of Rugby League skills being unleashed to the Scandinavian Nation.

This would lead us not in temptation but deliver us unto the fabled three vs. two and four vs. three. Plenty to think about, plenty to enjoy.

The cheeks reddened, the hands numbing by the minute, movement in the joints seizing by the second but this would not deter our young band for they would stick to the grubbers and kick tennis with the Vigour of Vikingism. The points flowed; the grubbers played their part, the high bombs unleashing catch after catch.

The penultimate rendition would see them wrap up with Overload touch to keep the blood pumping and the bodies warm before delivering an extension of our two minute drill. This would be 500m spread across three disciplines; down n ups Starlo style and would be completed as one impenetrable unit of Black Red n Green.

All the way through there was great commitment to the cause of the Viking and his Young Warriors. Even post running we warmed down, huddled up and grew as a team.

These young players have shown the attitude, respect, and teamwork that I only dream of which has now become a reality of Nordic proportions and one that has truly blown my mind.

London Skolars U12s/13s I doth my horned helmet, for I am humbled in your presence, continue to do what you do and you will become a great group of athletes, friends and Rugby League players!!

What a group of children, all willing, all listening, all Skolars!!

I thank you and bid you Good day for these are the ever scribing words of the Awe Inspiring Tanning sensation of the Icelandic, neigh, Scandinavian Nation in N22!!

A Final postscript would see me journey to the outer reaches of Hemel Stags where I would cast an eye over the South East Colleges Rugby League trials. Over fifty lads from across the South East giving it their all in the Iciest tundra like winds imaginable. With cuppa in hand the Viking strode out into the icy blasts to peruse and enjoy the Greatest game before departing for the warmth of Casa de Viking.

I bid you Good evening!!

The 2016 Journey of the #BlackRednGreen @LondonSkolarsRL U13s of N22 begins . . .

A Damp, grey morning would greet us as we approached the home of Rugby League in N22. This would not deter the enthusiasm brought by the Viking et al. For this day had finally arrived and I was ready to unleash the proverbial Coaching Beast to full effect!!

In attendance and giving his commitment to the cause of the U12s/13s horde would be young Donny, a great player from our U17s/19s now giving something back to the younger generation.

A session of Inspiration would ensue, as always, the session was pre-prepped by the scribing hand of the Nordic and would be timed to perfection. Nothing but fun, hands, skills and then some.

The key to this morning was to unleash the smiles and introduce how much fun it is to pass, catch and kick the ball with your new found friends who will be part of your journey of Rugby League discovery over the coming years.

The cones were set, the session discussed, the arrival imminent and we were away. Simple warm ups, plenty of hands, plenty of try scoring, plenty of play the ball.

Starlo, you would have been proud, the hands were top drawer, one step pop along the line at pace, leading the receiver to his ultimate destiny of the catch ‘n’ pass, heavenly to view from the side!!

By the time we hit the ol’ classics of Rugby netball and basketball the boys had made 12 passes and covered 40metres and scored twice, imagine this on a full pitch, one side to the other, holes galore in a defence just waiting for us to hit the gaps!!

Once into 2 vs. 1, some more deep passing would lead into the promised land of 3 vs. 2, the like of which was standard setting at every turn. There would be no let up on this the new dawn of Rugby League in 2016. This morning would raise the bar.

Into our grubber kicking and high bombs led us nicely into the penultimate psalm of a scribing inspired morning of fun and Overload touch, end to end team work, side to side hands, and huge grins lighting up the grey skies!!

The final part of the fun would be a team 2 minute drill with coaches included, down ‘n’ ups along the way, encouragement across all lines, not once but twice. Nothing was left in the tank all was left on Perth Road for this was the return of the Black Red ‘n’ Green.

What a beginning, what an opportunity, what a group of children, all willing, all listening, all Skolars!!

I thank you and bid you Good day for these are the Ever Scribing words of the Awe Inspiring Tanning Sensation of the Icelandic, neigh, Scandinavian Nation in N22!!

The Return to Training Summer Sessions Pt 4 @ChingfordRFC and @LondonSkolarsRL

As the song goes . . . it was a clear Blue day, a clear Black night and with a hint of Viking white would embrace the Tricolore of the Ching, for once more it was training day at the Hallowed Fields.

A glorious day, lush green grass covering 250 metres of Waltham Way turf for the Evolving Vikings of Ching to get stuck into. So warm in fact that the Viking himself de-jerseyed and went all Saints Vestathon for the morning. Time to show those Guns, purist white, nothing ever this pale has been previously witnessed.

It was always going to be a big ask of the boys today, the harder they worked, the more effort given, the higher the mercury rose. Once the numbers had arrived on the stroke of ten we would begin with some tough footwork that would challenge the very being of our young Warriors, not your everyday sort of thing, but certainly more of the same when we return next week. This would lead into some great hands, short and pacy with a return of wide and deep, working through the basics as the sun would bring the rays and lead the way to our Glorious destiny and the infamous two versus one, then two versus one versus one.

By the time we visited with the tackle bags and shields the pace of the session and the heat received from the sunshine was beginning to take an early toll on the boys. As we approached the final two minute drill it was obvious that they had reached their peak, but this game is about going beyond ones limits in the finals seconds of any given game on any given Saturday or Sunday and they would leave every last effort, muscle, sinew and fibre on the Hallowed Fields as we would depart for home having reached our plateau of virtue.

After some pure Viking feasting at the table of Odin, it was time for a quick change and then off to Fortress Skolar to watch the Black Red n Green First XIII take on Coventry Bears in N22.

Once again Tottenham never looked so good with the sunshine bathing the entire New River Experience in Glorious rays, so much so that even I, possibly, the whitest Male on God’s Green earth would pick up some additional redness pre-during and post game this afternoon, only time would tell.

Having been overwhelmed by the number of players I was able to coach the previous day I didn’t have as many to lead the Guard of Honour, no matter, the boys that were present did themselves and their coaches proud as they wore the Black Red n Green with class and distinction.

Unfortunately for the watching masses the on-field performance was the opposite of the weather and didn’t bode well after some early scores from our visitors. Fortress Skolar did not produce the required decibels to enforce such a place but we will and in the future this place will be the most welcoming for the fan and the most unwelcoming for visiting players as a cacophony of sound will precede them crossing the whitewash as the fans and players alike unleash the Beast of the Skolars. We will let you have this one win on account Bears of Coventry, as you are new to our game and City enjoy your victory for now but whence we meet again we will not be so generous.

On the way home the news came through that our neighbours at the Broncos had topped Table topping Leigh Centurions. This is why I love this game!!

In the coming month there is a feast of Rugby League so please do your best to embrace, learn, love and spread the Word of Nordic scribe as I look to inspire from within the Southern Heartland the message that our Game is on the up and coming your way, don’t just wait for it, get out there and support it.

The action gets underway this Wednesday evening at the home of the Skolars U12s as we take on the Centurions of Ancient Briton, then the combined strength of the 12s and 13s led by the Coaching Combo of Fraine, Kelly, McNeil and the Ever Tanning Viking will invade Essex to take on the Might of the Eels of Brentwood, time to correct some wrongs. This is only the Beginning of a HUGE month of Rugby league on your doorstep, so get yourself out and down to the New River Experience and the Awe inspiring Viking as I take us on a journey of Rugby League discovery in the coming weeks and months culminating in the ultimate date with destiny post season.

Therefore, on that sentence of triumph I will leave you now to enjoy what is left of your evening as I relax and build my minds eye for another chapter in the wonderful world of the All tanning, all scribing Scandinavian sensation that is and will always be the Viking.

Good day to one and all.