British high school soccer team visits Chenango Forks

CHENANGO, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) - A British soccer team, or football as they call it across the pond, made its biennial trip to the Southern Tier.

The Harvey Grammar School from Folkestone, England has been visiting our area every two years since 1989 to participate in scrimmages and drills with local students. This afternoon the Harvey Grammar team joined Chenango Forks students for a training session.

Harvey Grammar Head Coach James Walton says his players stay with local families from Chenango Forks or Susquehanna Valley's districts. He says it's unbelievable that families open their homes to them and it's a great way for the kids to get immersed in American culture.
Walton says while the trip is technically a soccer tour, it really means so much more.

Head Coach James Walton says, "It's more about living the American life, getting to know different cultures, living on their own, because a lot of them are gonna go to college next year. So lots of personal skills, interpersonal skills on top of soccer playing."

Walton says this is the team's preseason, as they will go back to England and start their season in September. Tomorrow night Harvey Grammar will be playing at the Greater Binghamton Sports Complex at 5:30. It is open to the public and anyone can attend.

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