WHUIA National Camp 2011 - Rome, GA - Camp 2 Day 2

And WHUIA won...!

Versus the weather that is. Grey and humid but no crazy flashing lightning lights. An all round cracking day. Food at camp? Lovely - here's my lunch today:

I mean, come on. It's a spinach leaf salad with red berry fruits, toasted sunflower seeds and a simple balsamic dressing. Add a side of tuna salad and bingo - Bob's your aunty's live in lover. The food is great - as is the constant opportunity to refill drink bottles with water, power aid etc. Peach cobbler for dessert tonight - alongside maple pecan ice cream..................  Yummy

Day 2 of the WHUIA National Camp really got the ball rolling. Breakfast at 7:00am - Session 1 at 9:00am to 11:00am - Lunch 12:00pm - Rest 1:00pm to 2:15pm - Technical Skills 2:30pm to 3:30pm - Session 2 5:00pm to 7:00pm - Dinner 8:00pm - Lights out 10:00pm. That's the daily plan.

Breakfast for the gang here and three lads - on the left Frank Lampard, on the right, Anton Ferdinand and in the middle Gary O'Neill. Who knew they would be coming along - premier league pros n'all.
 

I suspect the players are tired after the program. They are all a great bunch of lads - helpful, entertaining and pretty decent footballers. We have a small group who are returning to National Camp, a handful who attended the trip to London following last year's selection process and one player who is from the US who has visited regularly. He is a great asset for the others as he represents the closest reference point to the actual players in London. Word from the other lads is he is a great player.

We had some fun today. Shot a little video in the relaxing hours of the afternoon - you might find it entertaining to take a look at - click here to see a brief 'Tour of England'........haha! I'll have another funny clip for you tomorrow. 

So, what do the lads during their rest period? Read Chaucer? Play chess? Contemplate world issues such as famine, social injustice, global warming? No, this...

That's right. The other viewing choices included: 
Family Guy, World's Funniest Commercials, and a scary movie where plants make humans lose the plot. Right - if only we had BBC America, we could watch 'Cash in the Attic' all night.

Here's a shot of the oldest group here in Georgia. Ian Bishop and James Meara are coaching and both played professionally. James is a product of the Watford FC Academy and remembers dressing room visits from then Chairman Elton John - who
who you can see in this pic without the syrup.




The technical skills session saw the younger 2 groups working with Ian Yuill and myself in the main sports hall. Multiple touches, good vision and accuracy are essential in a program that all London based Academy at West Ham. If you want to see more of the Academy and club, then look at the blogs back at the end of February 2011. I spent a week working and coaching at the club back home - there are some great clips and insights to the West Ham United Academy and game day v Liverpool FC (we won 3-1...!)

Just a simple pass and follow drill. The circle changes size as the players keep the ball moving - good communication, quick feet and a brain are required. Eventually we run the circle with 6 balls in the middle - a new record (timed at 30 secs). I've enjoyed working with the group - enthusiastic and very polite and professional. Lads like Max, Mykola, Phillip etc.

Day 3 tomorrow - everyone is asleep. I need to do the same.  Forever West Ham - COYI!