It’s not just what you do in College
After an oddly mild winter in Chicago, Thunder Bay Chill star and former Blacktown City Spartans (NSW NPL) NSR student-athlete Mitchell Osmond has been busy training and studying hard. Luckily, the soccer talent from NSW still had a bit of time to update NSR on his adventures.
Osmond was offered the incredible opportunity to play in the PDL (Premier Development League) after his determination to play football in the college off-season landed his video in the hands of the Thunder Bay Chill coaching staff. He is now entering his second season with the prestigious club.
“The PDL is definitely a much higher level to that of College. Coaches are looking for players that are physically able to handle the stress of such a short, compact season and stay mentally focused throughout. There’s no denying that the extra work has to be put in,” Mitchell said.
Long Hours spent on the training field
The athletes at Thunder Bay Chill are put through gruelling training schedules. Speed and agility training, field training, gym work, tactical sessions and recovery sessions are all part of a typical summer training routine.
“We have a very intense schedule this year, with two sessions almost every day and a minimum of two games a week starting at the end of this month” Mitch said.
Despite his busy agenda after three years of college education, Mitchell still endeavours to devote generous time to his studies at the University of Rio Grande. Mitch transferred from Calumet St. Josephs College after his first College Soccer season to the nationally ranked program, Rio Grande.
“It is difficult to manage sport and study but the key is time management. Being able to dedicate enough time to the classroom as well as the field takes sacrifices, but if you want to be successful at both the work has to go into it,” Osmond said.
Osmond had one year left of study at the nationally ranked University of Rio Grande. Rio Grande were knocked out in the first round of the national tournament last year and Osmond will be hoping to help his team better that in the upcoming season.
He also fell short in the PDL season as his team were knocked out of the play-offs in the final 16, the Thunder Bay Chill just fell short of their goal last season.
Although the Thunder Bay Chill fell short, Osmond was named PDL Defender of the year. A massive accolade that will help get him noticed by some bigger clubs across the country.
They hope to bounce back and make it to the Championship game this coming season. Mitchell is on the verge of signing his first professional contract in the US……Imagine that……A future Socceroo that started at an American College.