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Karl
Senior Member
USA
914 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 15 2003 : 1:50:18 PM
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Mexxx
& n Jawge also check out the Australian Intitute of Sport.
Friday, August 15, 2003, 10:45:13 AM
IP:65.210.139.252
You will see the results from this initiative, from cricket to Soccer to Olympic sports.
Click here for the Australian Institute of Sport
The AIS leads the development of elite sport and is widely acknowledged in Australia and internationally as a world best practice model for elite athlete development. The AIS is a pre-eminent elite sports training institution in Australia with world class facilities and support services.
Cricket
Formed in 1987 as a joint initiative of the AIS and the then Australian Cricket Board (now Cricket Australia), the academy has been a finishing school for the nation’s leading young players, preparing them for the rigours of first-class cricket.
Supported by the Australian Sports Commission and principal sponsor, the Commonwealth Bank, the CBCA is based at the AIS Del Monte training facility at Henley Beach in South Australia.
Since its inception, the CBCA has produced 121 first-class cricketers, 31 of which have gone on to represent Australia at either Test or one day international level.
The year 2002 is the start of a new era at the CBCA as former Queensland Bulls coach Bennett King steps into the role as head coach. Bennett is assisted by David Moore, former Australian wicket-keeper/batsman Wayne Phillips and former Tasmanian fast bowler Troy Cooley.
The coaches develop cricketers’ skills, so they can compete successfully at domestic and international level.
Specialist coaches are also called upon to assist with player development. In the past, former internationals Dennis Lillee, Ian Chappell, Mark Taylor, Ian Healy, Ashley Mallett, Terry Jenner, John Inverarity and Kerry O’Keefe have all shared their experience to players at the CBCA.
Commencing in 2002 the CBCA also accessed current State cricketers including Gavin Robertson and Adam Dale along with current Australian player Justin Langer and Australian coach John Buchanan.
Soccer
The AIS Soccer program was established in 1981 in Canberra. The program has two broad aims: to identify and develop outstanding young talent for the National U/20 Youth Team with possible progression to the Olympic and senior Socceroo squads, and to develop coaches through the National Coaching SchemeThe AIS soccer team competes in the National Youth League, and has an excellent record of success given the young age of the players. The team often embarks on overseas tours to develop experience and professionalism among the players.
AIS Outdoor Synthetic Soccer Field
The AIS is also the base for soccer training camps for all the national teams from Under 17 through to the senior Socceroos.
In 1991 the AIS hosted the visiting Malaysian Olympic team as it prepared for Olympic qualification. National Soccer League clubs also make use of the AIS facilities for pre-season training.
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Mosiah
Moderator
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - Aug 16 2003 : 2:15:54 PM
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The Vitesse Football Academy
Vitesse clearly realises that smoothly-functioning youth training is essential for continuity at the highest levels of football. The Vitesse Football Academy is therefore a spearhead of policy. The consequences of the Bosman judgement are additional reasons for Vitesse, in collaboration with Gelders College, to enhance the professionalism of the Vitesse Football Academy. With Joop Brand as Head Youth Trainer, Vitesse is striving to provide even better, more professional training for career football players. A sound approach is essential to maintain Vitesse's position in the highest regions of football and make sure that at least two talented players qualify for the first team each year. During the 1999-2000 season, Vitesse will invest four million Dutch guilders in its youth training programme.
Each year at Vitesse, players from the A, B and C youth groups have an opportunity to pursue their secondary education at the Gelders College. The level of studies range from VBO (pre-vocational education) to MAVO (lower general secondary education), HAVO (higher general secondary education) and WVO (pre-university education). The players are aged between 12 and 18 years. The study programme and training schedules are uniquely in tune with one another. The youthful Vitesse football players are assigned to separate groups and receive exemptions from certain courses.
Pupils have their own individual educational routes, which make allowances for each pupil's capabilities and training needs. Personality formation is an essential part of the training. It covers such things as media training and dealing with fans.
There is a full-time cook to prepare special meals for matches and training sessions. In addition, there is a working relationship with the Papendal sport centre. The young players are also provided with transport tailored to their needs. They are picked up at home and brought to school. After school, they are dropped off at the stadium and, after training or matches, driven home.
This enables players to train twice a day, starting at age 12. They are under the medical supervision of an experienced club doctor, certified physiotherapists and masseurs. There is even a pedicure and Dutch-language instructor for players from abroad.
As an indication of the success of the Vitesse Football Academy, seven players in the first team all came from Vitesse's own youth division. Moreover, more than half of the Vitesse youth players is represented in the Dutch national team.
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Mosiah
Moderator
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - Aug 17 2003 : 9:44:39 PM
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ManU Academy
It was a very good exercise that moved quickly which in turn helped set the tone for the rest of the session. The control of such young players in such a restrictive area was impressive. Limited space combined with the pressure of a goalkeeper, playing at 100%, left little room to maneuver but the players did exceptionally well. It was easy to see how much the players enjoyed the exercise.
From there, Rene moved on to a passing and moving exercise which utilized all the field players and two balls while the two goalkeepers worked separately with one of the Academy’s goalkeeping coaches at the opposite end of the facility.
The surface area used for the field players exercise was approximately 20 x 40 with 8 players placed at various points around the perimeter of the grid and two target players positioned centrally in each half of the area. The drill consisted of the players moving two balls clockwise around the grid using one touch passes and then
following their pass to a new position. This was a pure technical exercise with no defensive pressure. The exercise was somewhat complex which taxed the players mentally while, at the same time, challenging them technically. The intelligence of these young players was apparent as it did not take them long to get comfortable with the mechanics of the exercise - it moved like clockwork. Then the bar was raised by a long range pass being introduced from one end of the grid to the other. The consistent accuracy of the long ball from some of the players was astounding, but still, others struggled, and overall Rene was not satisfied with how the some of them were executing the variation. After patiently making several suggestions to the group they worked on it for another 10 minutes until Rene felt it was time to move on.
The next part of the session was a possession exercise in a grid approximately 25 x 25. 9 players were split into 3 teams of 3, with each team wearing a different color. Two of the teams kept possession, against the third, who tried to complete 5 passes for a point. If the defending team won the ball a point would be earned by successfully passing the ball outside the grid to the trainer. The technical ability of the players to control the ball under significant pressure was outstanding—about the best I’ve seen around the world from players this age. However, their decision making was not always the best which was pointed out to the players at one point after Rene stopped the exercise. Not uncommon for players of 11/12 years of age, to many times they were missing opportunities to switch the ball to a less congested part of the grid. An open player supporting the play from the center part of the grid would receive the ball, under no pressure, and instead of turning, would play the ball back to the area it came from. Rene asked the players to have a higher level of ‘field awareness’ and to make the pass that would stretch the field while at the same time forcing the defending team to work harder by chasing the ball.
The progression that Rene chose for this exercise I found to be interesting - two full size goals (with goalkeepers) were positioned approximately 15 yards from opposite ends of the grid. The field players continued to play 6 v 3 inside the 25 x 25 grid. The team of 6, after completing 5 consecutive passes, could shoot on goal, but only from inside the grid . The team of 3, once winning the ball, could exit the grid and attack the goal, but with only two players. Defenders could not follow the attackers outside the grid. It was a unique variation to a common possession exercise. Surprisingly, the team of 3 attacked the goal more than the team of 6 got off shots - but when they did, the shots were on goal and hit with pace that belied the size of the shooters.
Rene finished the session by splitting the team in two and having a penalty shoot-out. Needless to say the players really got into it and the players left the session with smiles on their faces.
Following the session I was introduced to Rene and Tony Whelan, Deputy Assistant Academy Director, who both welcomed me to the club. I spent about 10 minutes speaking with Rene about the session. He graciously answered all the questions I had, as well as, elaborating a bit on his overall long term goals for the players involved in the Academy. After that I spoke with Tony for about 20 minutes. Tony is a former 1st team player at United, as well as, a veteran of the old MISL (Major Indoor Soccer League) here in the States. He is a lively, likeable personality with a great sense of humor. He quizzed me on former MISL players and whether I knew any of them. I did. Some are coaching college programs in our area. Tony had a few great (and hysterical) ’glory day’ stories about the MISL. Before leaving he made me promise I would join the rest of the Academy coaching staff at the annual Christmas dinner party on Friday night. I was flattered. Very nice of him, I thought.
It was a great first day but I was looking forward to getting some sleep.
Acacdemy Technical Director Rene Meuhlensteen looks on as players work through the technical exercise.
<PREVIOUS NEXT>
INVITED to UNITED
A look inside Manchester United's Youth Academy
HOME YPT PROGRAMS CONTACT YPT
<PREVIOUS NEXT>
A TRAINING SESSION AT THE CLIFF continued
THE MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL ACADEMY
A TRAINING SESSION AT THE CLIFF
OLD TRAFFORD AND THE MUFC MUSEUM
MUFC ACADEMY U14's vs AUSTRALIA
THE CARRINGTON TRAINING CENTRE
TEN MINUTES WITH SIR ALEX FERGUSON
MAN U vs CHELSEA at OLD TRAFFORD
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Shatta_Cleve
Starting Member
USA
2 Posts |
Posted - Aug 18 2003 : 3:02:36 PM
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Excellent info
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Karl
Senior Member
USA
914 Posts |
Posted - Aug 24 2003 : 3:48:52 PM
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Quansah makes his mark
Simon Reeves
BBC Sport, Sweden
Quansah is a promising talent
The second half of the season in Sweden has seen the injection of new blood into the Premier League.
One such talent is the young Ghanaian Kwame Quansah, who joined title hopefuls AIK Solna on a two-year loan deal from Dutch giants Ajax.
His adventure in Sweden is part of a carefully-laid out development program designed to toughen him up for the challenges ahead.
The exciting 20-year-old striker has raised expectations at AIK as the Swedish title race heads for a thrilling climax.
He came off the bench last week to score his side's only goal in the Uefa Cup win over Finland's Fylkir in a first leg clash.
"Everything was going bad for AIK until Kwame came in and saved the day," purred a local commentator after the win.
His excellent performances will not only boost his club's title hopes but also help increase the profile of African players in Sweden.
Last season Nigeria's Peter Ijeh played his part in that regard when he finished as the highest scorer in the premier league.
"Kwame does wonderful things with the ball. I think his coming here is a blessing for us," said AIK team mate Frederick Bjorck.
Quansah, who played for Kotoko back in Ghana, came through the youth ranks at Ajax and has never looked back.
He spent last season at Belgian club Germinal Beerschot and scored 10 goals in 25 appearances.
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Karl |
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Karl
Senior Member
USA
914 Posts |
Posted - Aug 27 2003 : 4:08:29 PM
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08 May 2002
Elite Player Development
As well as maximising footballing opportunities for all, The Football Association plays a lead role in encouraging, promoting and nurturing the talented players of tomorrow. The game's future, from a domestic point of view as well as from the perspective of a successful England senior side, depends upon ensuring that the best young players are given every opportunity to fulfil their talent and potential.
At the heart of the FA's commitment is the Charter for Quality programme, which ensures best practice in terms of the coaching and education received by young players. As part of the Charter for Quality, all Premier League clubs must have academies and all Football League clubs must have Centres of Excellence. In the past, youth structures at clubs were fragmented and inconsistent.
This section sets out the progress made in implementing the structures to ensure that the best young players have access to the highest standards of coaching and education and that England continues to produce players of the highest calibre.
Setting Standards
The Charter for Quality is The Football Association's programme to ensure and guarantee that the development of the country's best young footballers meets the highest possible standards.
By building on the best traditions of this country and learning from techniques employed abroad, The FA has built a framework of excellence which is being put into practice at clubs up and down the country.
After considerable research undertaken by The FA Technical Department, it became obvious that the following issues had to be addressed if the potential of England's young players was to be maximised:
Elite young players require a development process to protect and nurture their special talents.
Technical development cannot, and should not, be viewed in isolation of the player's overall educational and social welfare.
Effective school/home/club links.
FA Premier League and Football League Clubs need to have more access to the very best players.
Young gifted players are exposed to too much competitive football and too little practice time.
Enhanced facilities coaching and medical provision is required.
Competitive matches as part of an integrated development programme.
Better qualified coaches to work with elite young players.
Compulsory in-service training a requirement for a Club's staff.
The registration and screening for all staff together with specific training regarding Child Protection.
The registration of gifted young players carries a responsibility for the Clubs to provide expert tuition, medical provision and educational support.
These key issues formed the basis of the recommendations agreed by the Council of The Football Association in November 1997 involving the creation of licensed Football Academies and the enhancement of licensed Centres of Excellence. The arrangements should mirror the current best practices for gifted musicians, artists and outstanding athletes in other sports.
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Academy
