Mick Deaton has no regrets after sending his son, Bryce, on an NSR journey.
“It’s stressful sometimes, but we’d do it again, at the drop of a hat. We said that the other night… we wouldn’t hesitate,” he admitted.
Soccer sensation Bryce is currently home for summer break, and getting ready to transfer from AIB in Iowa to Central Baptist College in Arkansas, and is extremely “excited” to start.
Mick has seen Bryce transform since first departing for the States.
“When he went over there at first, he was just a kid. But when he’s come home, he’s really changed. He’s become more of an adult now, more than anything else. Probably because he’s had to fend for himself,” he said.
“As a parent, when you’re at home, you can do everything for them. But when you ship them off and say, ‘See ya later, mate!’ everything they’ve got to do themselves, cooking included!”
One thing that Mick explains hasn’t changed, is the close relationship the father and son share.
“Our relationship hasn’t changed too much because of Facebook Messenger. Skype’s brilliant,” he said.
“I am a shift worker. When I’m on night shift I talk to him whenever he wants to, because it’s obviously college first. It really hasn’t changed too much.”
On Bryce’s college experience, Mick shares it’s been a dream come true for the young talent.
“The training is brilliant. He loves the training, it’s very professional. The standard seems to be a lot higher over there. He’s always wanted to play professional football, that’s all he’s ever wanted to do… so this is his chance,” he said.
Mick explains it has not only been an experience for Bryce, but for the rest of the family.
“We’ve learnt a lot, even as a family, as well as Bryce has.”
What a great story, Mick!