USA U17 Team in Qatar

Don is coaching the USA U17 National Team at the world championships in Dubai August 8 - 16.  He reported to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs on  July 23.  From 33 players cut to 17 then down to the 12 that we will travel to Qatar and Dubai with.

Don coaching at OTC

Bowling night with the TEAM
Don had high score of the adults

USA U17 Team and coaches

Eric Flannery, Don, LJ Goolsby

 On August 1 we bus to Denver, fly to Wash. DC then to Dubai and on to Qatar for 3 days of training and scrimmages.

The Torch Doha - our hotel!

Our room

Shopping trip to the souq!  We had so much fun.

spices

and more spices

Buying scarves

colorful fabrics

rows upon rows of shops

Pauline, me, Cheryl, Jana and Lori
A great group of woman to travel with!

He was sewing gold thread onto the thobe

Eric (from Wisc and lives/coaches in Qatar)
 took our group to the souq.

MILITARY BASE VISIT
A highlight of our day was a military base visit to Al Udeid Air Base.  We each had to be cleared earlier to be allowed on the base and went through security when we arrived.  Qatar is home to USA's biggest military base in the Middle East.  Our guide told us that there are approximately 9000 soldiers here at the base. 

Photo after the 3 point shootout

lunch on the base

EVENING SCRIMMAGE VS. QATAR PROS at the Aspire Dome

Don & I with Eric and Brooke

ARMY BASE VISIT to As Sayliyah Camp
We had a great visit to the army base this afternoon!  After clearing security which seemed even more rigorous than yesterday at the air force base we were treated like honored guests.  First stop was the cafeteria where we were treated to lunch and a welcome.  Surf and turf were on the menu for us and boy, oh boy did the players LOVE the crab legs.  Each was presented with a plague thanking us for our contribution to enhancing the morale and the personnel. 

Pauline, Cheryl, Jana, me and Lori with the officers.

Don receiving his plaque of appreciation.

The crab legs were a big hit with the players!

We have all enjoyed our stay in Qatar and staying at The Torch Doha Hotel!  The convenience of being able to walk over to the Aspire Dome for practice and scrimmage was great.  The hotel was fabulous and we all enjoyed controlling the lights, curtains, tv, and about anything else in the room from the room's iPad.  The buffet at the Flying Carpet Restaurant was delicious and had something for everyone's taste. 

Our hotel - The Torch Doha

the arena for practice and scrimmages - The Aspire

Don with some of the players in the lobby.