36th European Junior & Cadet Championships, Paris, France 2009
Live reports from Paris
Posted 26th January 2009
Day 1
It was an early start for the England Cadet, Junior and U21 squad, plus the coaches and parents travelling to London’s St Pancras Station to catch the Eurostar train to Paris. The young squad dressed in their England tracksuits kindly sponsored by Chikra, received some admiring glances from some of the early morning commuters with many enquiring what they were representing England in with some even taking their own photos.
Whilst congregating by the Eurostar departure gates, the squad got a welcoming boost by a visit from the some of the Senior National Karate squad team returning from Wasquael, France after competing in an international tournament. Alton Brown, Gemma Marwood, Mellissa Lewis and Natalie Williams had a few photos with the young junior squad and coaches, gave them a few encouraging messages and wished the squad well.
The departure of the Eurostar train to Paris was delayed by 30 minutes which gave EKF President Carl Lindley plenty of opportunity to address the squad and let them know what was expected of them whilst representing their country. Soon enough the squad had boarded the train and were heading for Paris but were held up outside Ebbs Fleet by another 30 minute delay. Luckily the squad seemed oblivious to this as they played cards, read their magazines and generally chilled out.
Soon enough the announcement that we had arrived at Paris Nord station was made and eagerly everyone collected their luggage and made their way to the waiting coach to take them squad to the hotel.
Upon arrival at the hotel, the rooms were allocated out with the squad given 20 minutes to come back down for a team debriefing, which they all did promptly. The new WKF approved body armour for the 14-15 year olds had successfully been delivered to the hotel (phew) and was collected and distributed out to the athletes.
The squad met up again at 7:00pm for an evening meal in the hotel. Carl Lindley took the opportunity to speak to the waiters and sort out the menu for the squad for the coming week ensuring everyone would be catered for. Surprisingly there weren’t too many deviations from the main dishes. Thank goodness Carl speaks fluent French.
Tomorrow the squad head off to the sports hall for their first training session, an early morning start for all.