Former Exeter City player-coach and Torquay United manager Paul Buckle has achieved a unique accomplishment, becoming the first person to pick up transatlantic coaching badges.
The 46-year-old is now coaching in America at Sacramento Republic and was one of 17 coaches to complete the US Soccer Pro License Coaching Course last Friday, along with the likes of the Seattle Sounders and Toronto head coaches, both of whom competed in the MLS Cup earlier this month.
With US Women's coach Jill Ellis also being on the course, Buckle was part of some distinguished company, but the former Grecian also completed a notable first, as he is now the first ever coach to hold both a US Soccer Pro License and a UEFA Pro Licence, the highest coaching badges in both the US and Europe.
Buckle worked with US Soccer National Coach Educator Wim van Zwam and Buckle said the level of detail in the course was impressive.
“Professionally, they showed so much respect to me as a head coach in terms of when Wim came in to analyze me in my working environment twice,” Buckle said.
"He would always ask, 'Can I do this? Do you mind me being here?’'And I opened every door, from the training field, to individual meetings with players, group meetings, pre-game, post-game and halftime. Wim was there. So he was brought in as part of the staff.
"I received invaluable feedback, incredible feedback. The details that U.S. Soccer have put into this license have been phenomenal."
The commercial property industry has reacted with alarm at the government’s Budget report on Wednesday. The sector has been one of the worst impacted by the credit crunch, with commercial property rates in London falling by over a third from their mid-2007 peak.
Bosses had hoped that Alistair Darling’s plan would include measures to address the difficulties experienced by commercial property owners, such as reducing rate payments on empty buildings – which costs around £1 billion per year – and relaxing the rules for Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs).
Instead, the government made only limited changes to benefit the industry, leading to widespread condemnation of the measures.
British Property Federation CEO Liz Peace commented, ‘It defies logic that during the worst recession for a generation the Government should ignore some very simple practical solutions laid on a plate in front of it that would cost practically nothing.’
The first layer of this painting is a layer of leaves collected around Stirling, Scotland. I wanted the painting to have authentic texture and for the position of the beaches to be guided by the veins of the leaves. (30X24) Acrylic paint and leaves on canvas
This painting features the view of a window overlooking the courtyard at Stirling Castle. (24X18) acrylic on canvas
Not man, not woman. Black and white and everywhere in between. This piece is the largest work I have created to date. I am currently abroad and when people find out I am an American they only ever want to talk about one topic, American politics. I have been living in Scotland for a few months now and have been blissfully ignorant of the division that exists back in the states. Being away from America has also given me insight into the aspects of American culture that makes it such a unique and wonderful country. America triumphs many other countries in diversity. This can be American's greatest strength and yet we are making it our greatest weakness. We have let our country be divided by hate. I blame this on stupidity. Any intelligent person judges on character and charter alone.
The two people in the painting are very different. But they are certain. Adding the second canvas to this piece was necessary. They needed to stand tall. They needed to appear larger than life and when freedom is threatened there is no greater power than one country standing up together for the freedom of all. I wanted these two people to represent the potential future of our country.
I also had my friend Tierra Wilkie in mind when planning out this piece. She is strong and independent and speaks often on behalf of justice and freedom. She spoke to me about a book she wanted to write to give the majority insight on what it is like to be a minority. Even if we can not fully understand the impact of barriers we were never given we can understand how critical unity and acceptance is when building a sturdy nation. We can understand people are people.
I am part of the last generation that remembers 9/11. We are the kids that can still remember a world without iPhones and social media. And we are the generation that will put an end to prejudices and racism. We have witnessed the legalization of love in all forms and we have started the "Black Lives Matter" movement to help the healing process of America's deepest scars. We are the generation that has sat in the passager's seat while older generations let hate win. With each generation, ignorance is dying. One day, these kids will raise kids to accept all people in all forms. These kids will choose a nation of unity over a nation of division. And one day, we will be raising a generation who will only learn about prejudices and racism in history books.
When Someone from this generation is in office, American might be great for the first time ever. A country can all only be great when all are free.
The shades of red and blue in this two-part painting stand for the same things as the American flag. Red, hardiness and valour, and blue being vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
Painted for my mother's 2017 Christmas gift. The photo was taken during a trip to London in May 2017. This painting now hangs in my mother's room. (20X30) acrylic paint on canvas.
Created for my father's 2017 Christmas gift. Photo was taken during a trip to my favourite city, Barcelona. This piece now hangs in my parents basement. (20X16) charcoal on paper
My grandfather asked me to draw this picture of his brother back when I was a senior in high school. I did not get around to it until October 2017. (24X16) coloured pencils, pen and charcoal on paper
This is inspired by a photo taken by my talented photographer friend, Ann Shelley. The portrait is of our friend, Gianni. The tattoo featured on his arm is my favourite part of this piece. (20X16) charcoal on paper
Self-portrait created as an experiment for the piece titled "Uncle Owen." (24X16) coloured pencils, pen and charcoal on paper
Based off a photo taken by photographer friend, Ann Shelley. This portrait features, Trevor Dahl from the band "Cheat Codes." This piece was created for Ann Shelley on her 21st birthday and now hangs proudly in her dorm room. (20X16) charcoal on paper