CHAMBERY, France — The Reggae Girlz’ five-day base camp in Lyon came to an end yesterday, but the players’ love affair with the state-of-the art training facility at Groupama Olympique Lyonnais Training Center shows no signs of relenting.

Even as the team departed Lyon and docked here in this Alpine town in south-east France for the night, members of the team were still basking in the experience at the training center, home of French football club Olympique Lyonnais.

The players described the days spent at the top-notch facility as a major success, which serves as added motivation amidst the anticipation and excitement ahead of their historic bow at the Fifa Women’s World Cup.

A show of individual skill, combined with team play and tactics, was the main focus of the camp conducted in an enjoyable atmosphere that provided the world-class tools the Reggae Girlz need to become even better players.

The Groupama Stadium is scheduled to host the July 2 and July 3 semi-finals, as well as the July 7 final of the month-long tournament set to begin on Friday.

For right full back Sashana Campbell, who plays professionally in Israel, being hosted at the facility has also set the tone for their opener against Brazil at Stade des Alpes in Grenoble on Sunday.

“The facility was great, and for the first time it actually felt like we were really on the big stage. Multiple training grounds that are marked out to focus on different aspects of the game and overall the entire stadium was great for the team. We got to bond more with all the fun and exciting things that we did.

“I think we had some good sessions where we got the chance to work on a lot of stuff in that short time, and we are ready and anticipating the start of the big show,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

Central defender Toriana Patterson underlined that just merely being at the facility, which is home to the most successful club in the highest division of French women’s football, gives her teammates something to aspire to.

“The facility was absolutely gorgeous. It has everything a professional could ever and would ever need, and I think I can speak for the whole team when I say I think it has motivated all of us to play at our best so that we can all one day play for a prestigious club like Lyon.

“I could easily call a place like that my home. I enjoyed every moment we spent there — whether it was on the field, in the gym, the kitchen, or their game room. The staff was also very friendly and accommodating and it was a welcome move for the team,” added Patterson, who plies her trade for Pink Sport Time in Italy.

Midfielder Marlo Sweatman, who plays professional football at Hungarian club Szent Mihály FC, concurred.

“The facility for me was amazing, world-class. They had everything there to help us prepare to our best ability, and it was by far the best facilities we have trained at. As far as motivation goes, I think it was massive for our team to be in such an environment.

“It motivated each of us to be a bit better so, hopefully, one day we can all be at professional clubs that have facilities like that. It kind of broadened our dreams and definitely got us feeling like we are about to be in a World Cup, the highest level possible for a footballer,” she shared.

Finally, for right full back Chanel Hudson-Marks, who is currently on the market for a professional contract, the entire club structure caught her attention.

“It was amazing and definitely the best training facility I have ever trained at. I think it was great motivation being in such a professional environment, and there was a good vibe surrounding the team during our time at these facilities and I believe that will only serve us well as we move forward,” the Canadian-born player noted.

Meanwhile, the Hue Menzies-coached team will depart here today for Grenoble, which is just under an hour’s drive.

The 53rd-ranked Jamaica, the first Caribbean team to qualify for the Fifa Women’s World Cup, are also set tackle Italy and Australia in Group C on June 14 and 18, respectively.

After the group stage, the top two teams will automatically progress to the June 23-25 Round of 16, where they will be joined by the four best third-placed teams. From there, teams will then progress to the June 27-29 quarter-finals to battle for semi-final berths, then the final.