Day 1 - High Intensity fitness and tour of downtown Dallas

Today was our first full day in Dallas... and definately was one to remember.

We were advised to be ready for 7am, so Jack and I got up at 6am, had some fruit and toast, then got changed into our referee training kits.

At 7am, we were picked up and taken to the local high school athletics track to participate in a physical session, commencing between 7.40am to 9am.

The first session involved assistant referee technical skills on the field of play, tutored by Andy Hall and John Ferries.

Following this was a high intensity fitness session. The team undertook the Premier League fitness test. I am happy to say i completed the test, but it was a tough test!

After the session, we went back to our relative houses to shower.

At 9:45am we was picked up, and went to "Chubbys" breakfast bar... what a name!! The food was great!I had a full American breakfast (similar to English but much bigger) and served with pancakes. It was stunning!

From here, we went to Downtown Dallas to visit the John F Kennedy museum and the grassy knoll, where the president was assassinated. This was a fantastic experience, and was a real eye opener to a key point in American history. Its interesting to notice the many conspiracy theories which suggest there were multiple killers... who do you believe?

After a great day, we headed back to our relevant homes and relaxed for a few hours. Jack and I played a good few games of pool with Will Toler (the son of the families whos house we are staying at) which was really good.

At 6pm, we headed to one of the other referee home stays where we all met as one. We had a BBQ (which was awesome) and did a 1 minute introduction to everyone at the party. It was great to meet the rest of the families and relax in a social way.

I cant describe to you how nice the families are ... we are so welcomed by the Toler family and are really enjoying our stay.

The weather has been amazing up to now, it feels like summer!

Anyways, enough rambling on i could talk all day!

Will update you all tomorrow on Day 2!

Mike B