Lock & Gray off to the USA

from NE Online Magazine Issue 52 - Lock & Gray Go To The USA

by Wayne Groves

The Lit & Phil

LOCK & LOCK & GRAY OFF GRAY OFF TO THE TO THE USA USA

Experienced women’s football duo, Gray and Lock, heading Stateside, and some Murrieta Surf

Living out a dream is one thing, being able to live out your dream a second time around is something else indeed, but, for Newcastle United Women pairing, Rhiannon Gray and Courtney Lock, that is exactly what’s about to happen.

Both have racked up over a decade of experience apiece whilst in their native north-east with, alongside their appearing for the Lady Magpies, Rhiannon having spent time on Wearside with Sunderland, and Courtney on Teesside with Middlesbrough, oh, and they are both coaches with Sunderland RTC.

Well, they were all of that, until now that is, as everything has suddenly changed. Following on from that mass amounts of footballing experience, the duo, come earlymid July, will find themselves Stateside (via a two week ‘break’ in Bucharest, Romania), as they head for San Diego, California.

You see, they’ve been headhunted, and seconded, by that of the Murrieta Surf Soccer Club, members of the Development Player League (DPL), and Elite Academy League (EAL), somewhere which has a similar set-up to that provided by our RTC’s on British shores.

“It’s something we’ve always spoken about doing, and always wanted to do.

“We’ve had a bit of luck about it all, but we’ve spoken to our contacts out there, and we know what I’ll all entail.

are run over here, but set-up using the year in which you were born (Rhiannon will be the 2008 DPL Coach, Courtney the 2009 DPL Coach).

“Dave (Parker, from Birmingham) has it all running similar, the only difference being, really, is that this will be a full-time position for us, and we’ll be looking after two teams each.”

With Rhiannon and Courtney both holding sports coaching degrees, from Northumbria University, their respective qualifications go way beyond, impressive for individuals of their youthfulness. It makes the duo prime candidates for any coaching positions across the globe, more as they both hold the UEFA ‘B’ Licence – they’ll just have to wait a little while before working towards that UEFA ‘A.’

But then, experience does count for a lot in life, and the hands-on experience they’ll receive when on America’s west coast, that’ll be second-to-none.

NEWCASTLE UNITED WOMEN, AND MANAGER BECKY LANGLEY, TOOK TO SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DUO’S PENDING DEPARTURE, SAYING - @NUFCWomen: “It is with a very heavy heart that we say goodbye to @gray_rhiannon and @Courtneylock_2. These two players have given everything to the club and are two outstanding people & players. Exceptional leaders and they will be hugely missed by everyone @NUFCWomen. All the

best in America.” @BeckyLangley4: “Genuinely, gutted to see you both go. But so excited for you! The impact you have made at the club & the support you have shown me personally, I will never forget. Your professionalism, passion & hard work rushing from the RTC to training after a full day at work. Outstanding!”

“We’re expected there in early-mid July (via Romania) so we’re aiming to be booked up, and all sorted, ASAP really.

“They’ve just finished trials for their respective age groups, and pre-season will be starting soon, so who knows how long we could end up being out there for.

“We hope it won’t be a short-term thing so we’ll just see how it goes, and play it by ear.”

Tapping into their extensive network of coaching contacts is something that, although they may not need it, can and will be utilised on occasion, and, have already received immense volumes of support, and an outpouring of love, once the news broke.

Add that to the increasing support in which women’s football on the whole has garnered over recent years, then Rhiannon and Courtney are putting themselves in a n increasingly worthwhile position. Not to mention that of Courtney’s father, Colin Lock, a regional photographer extraordinaire of the women’s game, and of Newcastle United Women, and a major assistance in getting the pieces in place for this feature.

He (Colin) is definitely someone who’ll be itching to head Stateside himself, capture those early moments, if possible, of Courtney and Rhiannon, in San Diego; but he’ll have to wait a little, for now

SUNDERLAND RTC, GARY MUTIMER AND JILL STACEY ALSO POSTED TRIBUTES, THE FORMER LOSING THREE TO PASTURES NEW, WHILST THE OTHERS TWO HAVE MANAGED THE PAIR DURING THEIR RESPECTIVE CAREERS @SunderlandRTC: “3 RTC legends will be leaving us at the end of the season (hopefully temporarily) - we can’t begin to describe the impact these 3 incredible role models have had over the years, they will be missed but we wish them all the best in their adventures!” @gary_mutimer: “When I managed @NUFCWomen @Courtneylock_2 was a warrior both on the pitch & off! She was a pleasure watch & learn from. Her commitment to the younger players was so inspiring. Courts, you will always be a Terry Butcher to me Flexed biceps Embrace & smash your next challenge #Winner.” @JillStacey1: “A player who was always driving the standards, and looking after those around you! An amazing person on & off the pitch. All the best in your next chapter Rhi!”

As for these two, it’s becoming more and more obvious that they can’t wait to both get there, and to get started on the job at hand.

“We know a bit about them (Murrieta) through social media, and from other people’s input, but we’re also aware that it’ll be different out there, in person, but that experience will also develop us as well.

“Everything we’ve done already has been different, and it’s a big club; we’ve had a lot of advice, guidance, thoughts and feelings from others, and that’s great, but it’ll be a different everything really.

“There’s a lot of difference, but also some similarities, but we’ll be looking at going over there, and coming back (eventually) better.”

In doing this, the duo are also heading out with a specific goal firmly in mind - the fulfilment of a passion, a dream, for when they do return to British shores.

“We’re really passionate about the RTC’s, so to make them full-time, that’s the dream for us, as we really do love what we’re doing.”

Courtney Lock and Rhiannon Gray’s Stateside journey can be followed via their respective Twitter’s @Courtneylock_2 https:// twitter.com/Courtneylock_2 and @gray_rhiannon https://twitter. com/gray_rhiannon, whilst Murrieta Surf Soccer Club can be found on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MurrietaSurfSoccerClub and Twitter @MurrietaSurf https://twitter.com/MurrietaSurf; or you can follow your photography fix via Colin Lock on Twitter @Tyneside_NUWFC https://twitter.com/Tyneside_NUWFC

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