UEFA goalie coachswaps nets for sails

Local bursary representative Matthew is joining up with members of the Londonderry yacht to represent his city in the seventh leg of the challenge.

The fully qualified Goalkeeping coach and UEFA “B” License holder is one of five successful Derry City Council sponsored bursary representatives to take part in the Race through the KICKSTART to Work programme.

Matt’s voyage will take him through the Panama Canal to New York for an estimated 48 days non-stop race sailing.

It’s a challenge that Matt is very much looking forward to.

“The last leg across the Pacific Ocean was a very challenging one and the team did fantastic to secure a fourth place win in such challenging and difficult conditions.

“It was an amazing achievement for everyone on board the Derry yacht and I am really looking forward to catching up with them at the weekend and finding out all about it,” he said.

Matt has been busy preparing for his challenge over the past number of months, keeping in regular contact with the crew through the sailing blog and checking their progress regularly. He has been keeping fit and getting himself motivated and prepared for spending time at sea.

“It is quite a daunting thought being on board a small yacht for such a long time but I have building myself up to it for so long and now the time has come!

“I just can’t believe I’m going. I am really looking forward to it, it’s going to be an amazing once in a lifetime experience and I feel privileged to be representing my city in such a positive way,” he commented.

One aspect of the challenge that Matt is not looking forward to is the watch rota system on board the vessel.

“The watch rota is going to be a bit of a challenge for me I think but I will get used to it and I know each watch will be very intense but by working together as a team we will be able to overcome any challenges that we meet.

“I am hoping that we get a podium position in this leg, it would be a fantastic achievement to come into New York to a hero’s welcome,” he said.

Matt, who lived in Orlando for a two year period and worked as a soccer coach during his time there, believes the Americans will be fully behind the Derry~Londonderry team.

“According to the team we have been really well received in America, they are very supportive of us and are willing us to do well in the race.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to promote the city and encourage Americans with connections in Derry and Northern Ireland to see how we are progressing and preparing to host the UK City of Culture 2013 here in Derry,” he added.

In preparation for the challenge, Matt has undertaken a range of extensive training programmes as part of the Bursary support programme.

“The training provided has been really useful in giving me a real insight into all aspects of sailing from navigating the vessel, to health and safety and sailing techniques.

“The training also provided us with a good opportunity to get to know the other bursary people as well as the other team members on board the Derry boat,” he said.

Matt is confident that with the support from his wife, son, all his family and friends at home and in the US the team can secure a podium place when it arrives in New York at the end of May/beginning of June.

Matt is also looking forward to meeting up with his daughter in New York in June, she is currently studying at college in Arkansas and promises to be there to welcome him into New York when he completes Leg 7.

“The team is doing well out there; they are really getting stuck into the race. It would be great to get a podium position in New York, no doubt about that but at the moment I will be focusing on working hard with the team to ensure we do well in the race.”

At the end of June and early July, Londonderry will host the race as a destination port when it welcomes all 10 of the participating yachts into the city.

This is something Matt is looking forward to and anticipates will be a huge occasion and cause for celebration across the city and region.

Matt will be providing regular updates from the vessel via the Clipper’s Facebook page Derry Londonderry Clipper 11-12 and on Twitter – DerryClipper where you can follow the team and their progress in the race.

For general information about the Clipper race visit www.derrycity.gov.uk/clipper