English based coaches - please read this!!!

[Lar]

A NEW football academy aimed at helping talented players to get signed up by professional clubs is to be launched in Sandbach.
Former Crewe Alex centre of excellence coach Bill Prendergast has formed the 4cornerscoaching Academy in partnership with Sandbach School.
He aims to help girls and boys, aged between four-12, to improve their skills to such a level that professional clubs will be interested.
Bill explained: 'We will take youngsters who have been recommended either by a school or a coach. The academy offers the opportunity for them to develop in a professional environment.
'At Sandbach School, we are able to meet the same criteria that professional clubs have to meet to have an academy. We have indoor facilities, as well as outdoor Astroturf and grass pitches. I hold the UEFA coaching A-Liecence which is required.
'The players will be assessed early on, and put into groups according to their ability. I will send the players in the highest category to a professional club's academy of their choice. The others will work with me and my staff to reach that level.'
'I have links with Crewe Alex, Stoke City, Port Vale, Manchester United, Manchester City and a host of other clubs.'
Bill's team of qualified coaches will focus on the 'four corners of learning' - social, technical, psychological and physical.
Bill has written to a host of South Cheshire primary and junior schools requesting recommendations and has appealed to local coaches to nominate their best players. The 4cornerscoaching Academy will not operate a competitive team.
The two-week assessment process begins on Tuesday, July 10, at Sandbach School, Crewe Road. Anyone wishing to nominate a player, or Level Two or above coaches interested in working with the academy, can contact Bill Prendergast on 07748 511178 or e-mail coach.bill@hotmail.co.uk

[Val]

Two questions Lar: are you affiliated with this program, or did you just find it interesting?

And secondly, are you aware that the assessment period began over a week ago?

[ian.curry]

Hmm, I probably would have applied if it were local and time appropriately - regardless of my following opinion.

It seems like an elitist scheme, an academy without the credentials of a professional club and probably facilities too. How can they be any more likely to produce the youngster than the current academies and centres of excellence?
There's another scheme aimed at 16-18 year olds, with the same aim - although they continue their education to ensure they get decent qualifications beyond 16yo. I just can't see how this can be more likely to get a player into the professional ranks.

[Lar]

Val, I wasn't aware that it started last week. Sorry!

The guy running it was my tutor on Level 1. He's really good. A good guy. Granted, this opinion has only been formed over two weekends.

Ian, the scheme is designed to improve the youngster to a level to get them into a proffesional club's acadamy, therefore giving them the opportunity to improve even further! And they do have the facilities required by Proffesional clubs to run an acadamy.

Did you only read the first sentence of the post?

[lanesra]

Did he give you any idea of what it would cost, Lar? I suppose I could e-mail him directly, but this is the sort of thing I've wanted to do. Like 74offsuit, I'd love to figure out a way to make this hobby pay.

[Lar]

No lanesra, no mention of cost, I'm afraid. Bear in mind, this guy was head of the youth acadamy at Crewe. He also trains coaches to become tutors and he has the UEFA A. We're talking A LOT of experience.

Not that I'm doubting your ability, but I'm assuming you're gonna need the top credentials behind you, if you are gonna do something like this successfully.

What level are you at? Surely the opportunity to earn some money from coaching is out there? Soccer camps and the like?

Where are you from? Sorry for all the questions!

[ian.curry]

I don't think the money is there to be made from footy coaching - not unless you run your own business.
£10/12 p/hour during holidays doesn't keep the roof over your head.

This new scheme believes it can enhance kids chances of making it - well I'm Level 2 and 7 years voluntary coaching, does it give a better chace than training with me? At an extra cost?

[rils]

Originally Posted by ian.curry

I don't think the money is there to be made from footy coaching - not unless you run your own business.
£10/12 p/hour during holidays doesn't keep the roof over your head.

This new scheme believes it can enhance kids chances of making it - well I'm Level 2 and 7 years voluntary coaching, does it give a better chace than training with me? At an extra cost?

Ian I dont want to appear disrepectful - but yes it probably does in fact Im almost certain it would do.

[ian.curry]

Rils, how?

Are these players going to make it into the 1% of academy players who become professional - just because the guy coaching has UEFA B or A?
Are they suddenly going to have the desire, strenght, the effort and work rate needed?

Good and bad coaches all around, no question. Would Rooney or Milner have missed their chance playing for a little guy like me?

These 'schools' have an aim and hope to play on it - we can make you an pro! - well, you can help a little, but you can't turn silver into gold.

My players will have a good education from myself, and their school coaches, and along the way they won't feel the rejection and destruction of hope against becoming something they were never going to be in the first place.

[lanesra]

Originally Posted by rils

Ian I dont want to appear disrepectful - but yes it probably does in fact Im almost certain it would do.

I have to agree here. People will pay more for a name. I may be better at working with kids, in fact I'm sure I am because I've been doing it for 25 years, but usually only at the dreaded player development/recreational level. Saying I have my E license, which is for the U12 level just doesn't compare to a professional A license.