WHUIA National Camp 2011 - Rome, GA - Final Day 4

So here are all the players from the West Ham United International Academy National Camp. A great bunch - great 4 days of football and a great location as well. 

Even the breakfast was West Ham forever.

Paul Heffer and Tony Carr MBE. Tony arrived at Camp for the day and worked with all the groups participating. With our younger group he developed a simple step over and push away into 1v1 play requiring a play to play on the half turn. He talked about the use of your body to create an opportunity to beat a defender, and know which side you are going to do that on. Its dependent upon the passer seeing where and how you want the ball. It all rolls back to having good vision and awareness, otherwise the pass you gave your team mate (which was on the wrong side for them, or under / over paced) forces them to give the ball away. The players responded really well and were clearly impressed by his presence (with a little 'setting' up..!) and did a great job paying attention and listening to every word. Tony is very down to earth. I once asked him what he is looking for when assessing players. He looks for effectiveness. We talked with the players about this - also recommended they look to do the things expected of them as well as possible, the right decisions at the right time and have a positive influence on the game. Beating 4 players doesn't achieve that. Even Lionel Messi picks and chooses his moments of brilliance. The rest of the time he is a hard working team player. Back to Tony - the last activity for our lads was a simple heading game - well, it looked simple at first....

A good effort from Alejandro, Tommy and George. They got to 10 in the end - the best score.
I tried my best to grab some shots of the other groups - here is a selection...

Boys on the left, coached by Paul Heffer and Ian Yuill.
Girls on the right, coached by Tracey Duxbury and Craig Mudd

World Cup winning team 'Brazil' on the left - everyone on the right.
England came third of four. Mmmmm, sounds familiar.

Here are the crazy boys post World Cup competition....

OK. Let's draw this first half of the week to a close. It has been wonderful to coach so many talented players, push them to be better, laugh with them. There are lots of moments, too many in fact to share in here. Tony Carr MBE worked with all the groups today. Tony Carr was honored by Her Majesty the Queen last year. This was for services to soccer. I don't think I need to say much more! 


Ending ceremonies....... oh, and look out for Mark pulling a cheeky one at the end.

I'll add some additional speeches over the next few days - here is a picture requested by Jane's twins in England - they want to see Nanny Rae, and Grandad Paul.

So, like all good things it comes to an end.

We hope each player takes away a few important points that helps develop their game. Football is a simple game, but far more of the effectiveness of a player is beyond technical skill. Let's say 80% is that 'something special' - thinking quickly, seeing and responding to changes quickly, playing with courage, determination, consistency, being a leader, demonstrating etiquette on and off the field. There are more, but that is already a pretty long list and a tall order. I could mention so many great kids - Alex, who dealt with dehydration, but got back on board and did a great job - Matt, Colin, Halie, Mady and Kaya from Canada - Josi and Stefano from my home town, Indianapolis - Miguel, Santiago, Sebastian and all the lads from Mexico - Tommy and Tommy - Georgie and all the boys. I hope to see you sometime this next year. I hope to see you next year at National Camp, hopefully here in Rome, GA at the Darlington School. If you want to see more about the academy itself and our trip last February then take a look at the posts at the end of Feb and March 1st. You can take a walk from my Grandad Self's house in Wakefield Street to Upton Park.....