The Coach Diary Football Blog

Category: Irish Grassroots Football

Austin Speight brought to you By Tsports.ie
Coerver is coming to Newbridge

Austin Speight is an association football coach and former player. Speight was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland and played football for Stockport County, although he did not play a Football League game for them. In the 1981/82 season he played two league games for Finn Harps in the League of Ireland.

After retiring from his playing career, he coached at West Ham United, Stockport County, Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers and Crewe Alexandra. He has coached all over the World at the highest level but mainly Australia, Ireland, USA, UAE.

Coaching Background

Speight holds the UEFA Pro Licence. He is the UK and Ireland director of coaching organisation for Coerver Coaching & the Pro Soccer International Group.

Coerver

When: Sunday 19th February 2012

Where: Newbridge Town Football Club

Time: 12 to 4pm

Price: €50 (Includes Coerver DVD)

What: Intro talk with Power point presentation
- Ball Mastery, movement, speed, mental and physical, passing and receiving, small sided games etc
- De-brief with players
- De-brief with coaches
- Q&A
- Questionnaire
Biography:

He has worked at the highest level in England since age 28 as a coach & has worked with some of the games biggest names including David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole, Frank Lampard and Man United latest £20m purchase Phil Jones to name a few.

Former coach at the following clubs:
- West Ham United (92-95)
- Stockport County (95-98)
- Manchester City (98-99)
- Blackburn Rovers (99-06)
- Crewe Alexandra (06-07)
See Coerver website: http://www.coerver.ie/

Who are Tsports.ie
is a new sport suppliers of sports and leisure equipment and sports team wear in Leinster. Our sales policy is a commitment to providing competitive prices, high quality products choice and value in all categories of sport. With over 3,000 products across 3 brands our main brand PUMA we are one of Irelands Premier Sports Equipment Retailer.

With over 5 years experience we have established contracts, we take great pride in our customer service, and always offer a huge range of products at very competitive prices. Our experienced staff are always on hand to help with any enquiries you may have. Special discounts are available to Sports Clubs and Societies.
In house garment printing facility

Embroidery service available

For more information contact:

Newbridge Co Kildare
Opening hours: Monday – Friday 9am – 9pm, Saturday 9am – 7pm

Contact: 045-487794 Mobile: 087-4152278

Sale Rep: 085-1415746

Email: enquiries@tsports.ie
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February 5, 2012
We don’t dribble…

Barcelona have changed they way football should be played and most kids football teams try to copy their heroes. Barca are teaching kids the FUNdamentals of the game at a very young age, the kids are allowed to take risks and are encouraged to dribble as much as possible. In fact you could say Iberian kids in general.

Lately I listen to coaches who are trying to play a one and two touch game, which is great to watch and has its benefits. My only concern is that, young players and being told to pass too quickly and this is discouraging them getting on the ball and attempting to dribble. It is stops them from running at players, as they look to pass instead.

Spain

Recently I spoke with a Spanish national coach and he told me that the young players are first tough how to control the ball, they get a feel for it and are always encouraged to dribble. “we play alot of 2v2 and 3v3 and this allows kids to show off their skills”, he also stressed that “it is important that children are thought from a young age to enjoy the ball and that dribbling and beating players is part of the game, in the end its the goals they love best about the game and dribbles create goals”

The fact of the matter is Spanish kids are dribbling from a young and encouraged to do so all the way up. As they get older and the game gets more tactical, they are thought where and when to dribble and when to hold or pass. As they are generally small by nature, their balance and agility is usually exceptional compared to Irish and English kids, who are generally more powerful and direct, due to the way we coach and play.

Time for change

It seems to me we are working in a different cycle, we start with power and then try to teach technique and as we all know teaching any child the technique to perform a skill is always best done at a younger age!

We need to dig deep into our development system and re-structure the youth development programmes, with competitive football playing a huge part in why we don’t produce enough technically gifted individuals.

There is no point in certain junior clubs implementing the right ideas and other not following or having the structures to do so. We need to be singing from the same hymn sheet and that goes for everyone across this small island of ours.

We still have so much to learn and learn we can!

-end

I always like to hear your opinions. Please comment below or email me info@thecoachdiary.com, if you don’t have anything to add then please forward this on to a friend.

Thanks for reading. I’m also on twitter @Coachdiary

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February 3, 2012
Manchester City Academy soon to be one of Europes best!

Spending only a couple of minutes with Scott Sellars and you will immediately feel the passion this man has for football. Scott who himself had a fantastic career is now head of Academy coaching at MCFC.

He also looks after the under 18s squad, a team made up of mostly 16 years old, which also includes former St Kevins Boys and Irish International player Jack Byrne, who we had the pleasure to meet during our visit to Platt Lane. Jack who is just back from injury, made the time to speak to us and describe his time at city so far, just like all the staff and players at City he was most obliging and very welcoming.

Money

Despite the their vast wealth, the club is investing huge amounts of money in its new training academy to develop young footballing talent for the future; Scott mentioned that “spending large sums and buying in world class talent for the premiership side is simply ‘not sustainable’ and the owners have made us as well aware of this”.

To date City has given over 30 former academy players first-team debuts since the academy was founded in 1998. Most of these players have become internationals and key players with other premiership and English leagues clubs. This is something Scott and the staff at the club hope to improve on in the coming years. There aim is to have a first team of several academy players.

Family Club

The 11 coaches on the trip were given access all areas and the hospitality was second to none. The coaches made up of mainly NDSL coaching delegation, including Academy Director John Farrell and Head of Coaching Mitch Whitty were made most welcome by Scott Sellars and his staff. We sat and listened to Scott for nearly 3 hours whilst he described the new philosophy at the academy, the structured coaching and the friendly atmosphere they want want to continue to portray. Some of what they are doing, reminded me of Sporting CP and FC Barcelona academies, with huge emphasis on technical development and ball retention.

The Future is Light Blue

He spoke about the structure of all ages and how they want to create a similar set-up to that of FCB. City’s ambitious plans are far from a dream and reality is already under way with the construction of the new academy yards from the City of Manchester stadium.

The New academy will consist of 10 full size pitches, 4 small sided pitches, all-weather, an indoor arena, a bowl, a mini stadium, a gym, changing rooms, club-house, accommodation and lots more

Whilst at Platt lane we also took in u6s up to u18s sessions over the weekend and what a pleasure it was to see the same style of quick passing football being played throughout club. Everything that Scott spoke about was evident to see in practice. Rarely was a ball played over knee high or more then 15 yards.

Every player in every position was able to move the ball with speed, accuracy and power. Each of the training sessions was well planned, structured and flowed with little coaching allows the game to be the teacher.

Liverpool

We watched the u18s prepare for their game with Liverpool scheduled for the following day; city had a plan to play quick free flowing football at an unbelievable pace and press quickly to win back possession when lost. It was great to see how this worked so well at Kirby the following morning. City were outstanding in the 1st half taking the lead early and then almost going 2 up soon after. In the end Liverpool came back late on and snatched a 1-1 draw.

Scott had mentioned to us the previous day that he had nothing to hide; this was not a new way just keeping things very simple and doing them over and over again. They work on a 6 week cycle and all the coaches are keeping to the same process right through the academy.

This packed weekend organised by David Berber of DB Sports Tours, also included two English premier league games; Bolton v Liverpool and City V Spurs.

As well as coaching, training, watching various junior academy teams and a Q&A with Scott and his staff. We also got invited to the Academy lounge to meet and greet some of City’s young stars (Marco Paulo Mesquital Lopes, Jack Byrne, Jose Angel Pozo, Ian Lawlor, Jordi Hiwula) of the future, before heading into witness an outstanding game of football, and a win for City….which ended in all the coaches doing the POZnan!

A tremendous weekend had by all!

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January 26, 2012
FCB The Style We Believe – Video

Video By Lenny

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January 16, 2012
Some people involved in football in this country would be locked up, if they acted like that on the streets..

Every week, I hear and read stories of games being abandoned through parents and coaches getting involved incidents relating to kids football. It is truly as very sad state of affairs when police have to be called to a game where kids are in danger of getting hurt. What has happened to child protection in this country?

If I or you or even, your child was threaten in the same manner that some parents and coaches consistently do in kids football, we would be arrested and charged on the spot.

So, tell me? Why to clubs, parents, coaches and kids tolerate the abuse that is handed out to them every weekend all over Ireland and why aren’t the culprits reprimanded or discharged from their duties or even fined and banned for life.

We need to take a tougher stance and ban this people that consistently cause havoc on the sidelines every weekend. Its time to take action and clubs should be the ones setting the standards. After all, they are the ones who should be protecting the kids and there own clubs reputation.

We need to protect the kids and the game…

FAI

The FAI should be setting tougher rules and demand that the leagues apply them to all registered clubs, with a zero tolerance policy. I have said it on numerous occasions, the FAI need to take control and restructer the game, and stamp out this culture of abusing kids, referees etc. Its time we start setting proper standards for our players, coaches and anyone interested in getting involved with Grassroots football.

Parents and Coaches

We need to stamp out the competitive mentality that some coaches and parents bring to the game at the youngest ages, its not good for the kids and certainly not good for their development of football in this country. Some parents and coached just need to SHUT UP!!

Parents and Coaches all over Ireland need to get educated in the game, and a minimum standard for both should be required before they can join a club. Referees also play a big part in games and they should be given more responsibility and also be educated further, with regular training on the main issues that consistently stop them from doing there job.

Would you let an ADULT verbally abuse a child in a PLAYGROUND………, then why do we allow it to happen on a football PITCH??

This all goes back to competitive football starting way to soon in this country!

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December 7, 2011
Local football Business
Below is a list of football business I have come across in the last year and who have helped me in some way or another!

iGoal

They are made of PVC with a terelyne sock inside which encases another tube of PVC, a system the many Armies use for their dinghies. Carried one-handed in a kit-bag, the goals are pumped up with an integral net – the goals come with a ONE YEAR GUARANTEE. Robust enough for competitive play but made of lightweight material to help avoid injury.
1. It can take up to 25 minutes of valuable lesson time to set-up and dismantle other portable soccer goals
2. There is never enough storage facilities for other goals.
3. Need to cut short the lesson at the end of your sessions to put equipment away so that children can go to next lesson or go home!
4. When posts are taken down in the summer what do older teams use for posts during training?
5. Wear out your goalmouths because you can’t move larger goals around and end up with mud!?
The good news on this which every PE teacher and coach wants to hear are answered by IGOAL!
1. Goals take less than 5 minutes to build – so unpack, pump up and play football – it really is that easy!
2. Portability and storage is made easier – you can fit multiple goals in shed or even boot of a car!
3. No need to waste valuable coaching time – everyone goes home quicker!
4. There is no longer a need to use cones for goalposts – you can play football anywhere, anytime with these goals!
5. Not anymore because we can do shooting practice anywhere into full size goals that are easily portable
iLite

Using the same patented unique rigid air technology as iGoal the newly launchediLite offers easy to use portable floodlighting – the future of sports lighting but also suitable for use by emergency services and construction sector.

No wiring, generators, just carry the light in its bag to where you need it – or use the hand held lighting house as a torch to guide your way. LEDs are also environmentally friendly and non-toxic. We recommend that you use minimum of 4 preferably 6 units to illuminate a 60m x40m mini soccer pitch.

Click here to bring you to their website →Igoals

Classics TeamWear

Classics were born in 2001, the brainchild of two ‘serious’ amatuer tennis players. Starting out as a supplier as high end wear for tennis players Classics has since expanded its product line to serve the needs of players of other sports.While Tennis wear and accessories still make a large part of Classic’s sales, the core today’s business is the supply of sports teams, mainly football . Strong points: Quailty control of all product details, high quailty/price ratio, quick leadtimes.

Classic are also bringing in High Quality football boots → Zeus Sports

For more information please Email classicssportswear@gmail.com or call 085 8866005
Click here to bring you to their website →Classics Teamwear

Phoenixembroidery.ie

Phoenix Embroidery in November 2010. Since then Phoenix Embroidery has grown rapidly to become a leading embroidery and supplier of sportswear, corporate clothing, and Pennants and Badges.

Click here to bring you to their website→Phoenix Embroidery

Terrific Trophies

Are 100% Irish owned and specialise in selling football trophies at discount prices. They cut out the retailer by selling direct to you the final consumer. There trophies are of the highest quality and our prices are the most competitive in Ireland due to our low over-head costs. .

Contact them @ sales@terrifictrophies.ie or Click here to bring you to their website→Terrific Trophies

If you have a football business you want me to advertise get in touch!

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December 4, 2011
Grassroots Conference in Warsaw
The polish trip was a well worth exercise. Academy Coaches from AC Milan, Celtic, Spanish FA, Le Havre AC, Ajax Cape Town, UEFA Training Ground, FIFA Grassroots, Ivory Coast, Legia Warsaw, Polish FA, German u15 all took sessions over the 2 days. The coaches in attendance at the conference, were also treated to a first-hand display of the benefits of UEFA’s TactX, which if you haven’t heard is a revolutionary coaching software from the UEFA Training Ground. (well worth a look)

The Conference

,led by the PZPN’s Tomasz Zabielski Grassroots Coordinator and Robert Graf Grassroots Dept , was attended by more than 1,000 grassroots football coaches from all over the world.

The morning session commenced at 9.30am and ran right through until 6pm without stopping. All the coaches started with a Theory session, discussing there clubs and development process, then that was followed by a practical. Each Academy had roughly 1.5hrs to 2hours on the pitch. Main topics during the convention include technical and tactical practices for all ages & abilities for both boys and girls.
- Theory Sessions
- Practical Session
- Academy Ethos
- Structures
- Player requirements and responsibilities
One Goal
It was great to see so many different styles coaching but all with the same goal…..to promote the game at the younger ages and to get kids touching the ball more, whilst having fun. The 2 day event was a total success and the feedback from the attendants was all positive; certainly the Polish grassroots coaches came away with some very exciting phases of play and in dept knowledge of other countries style of coaching. Personally I would have loved to have seen more of the of the coaching over the 2 days, maybe next time or maybe in Dublin next year????

This was a well worth exercise and Polish FA certainly earned some much needed brownie points. They recently cause controversy by removing the traditional white eagle emblem with a generic effort, purely for the fact that this new logo can be copyrighted easily, thus making it easier to punish counterfeiters. This change has caused such uproar that even the recent friendly with Hungary was part-boycotted by fans. This may have worked, as the Polish FA have decided to ‘review’ the change… Which will certainly give Nike a headache, as the shirt was meant to have been released on November 15th.

Legia

Whilst at the Polish FA Coaching Conference with were invited to go see Legia Warsaw V Zaglebie Lubin (3-0). Th Stadium was just across form the conference venue. I was very impressed with the standard of football, certainly Legia played some great 1 and 2 touch football. We got the Full VIP service and the fans did not disappoint either. I have been to many stadia around the world and come across some of the most passionate and vocal fans…but the Legia Fans are a different class, they were singing half an hour before the game and they didn’t stop until well after the final whistle went. Role on Euro 2012

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Lets hope we get Poland!

For more information about TactX please click on tactX

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November 29, 2011