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Post by redshank on Oct 31, 2024 12:12:34 GMT
Just read an article in the online version of the DT about Arsenal and the need to sign 8 year old kids into the academy for that age.In my opinion they stop being children at that age once signed.Many comments for and against,most fors probably from Arsenal fans. There are two schools of thought. 1) get them in the professional academy early so they will benefit from professional coaching. In the long term they don't develop bad habits, they learn from a consistent message and routines. I have heard of 6 year olds, which is shocking. 2) these kids are too young, let them develop more naturally without the rigid structure of a pro club. 6,8,10 are all probably too young, from both a mental and physical perspective. Then there is rejection, how does an 8 year handle that? 18 year olds struggle with rejection, and how many times will they face it? Anyway who is trying to benefit? The kid or the dad? I see so many dad's deluded beliefs that their kid is the next Beckham. 1 in 10,000 get to a pro club at some point, 1 in 100,000 boys make it as a pro, the odds are stacked against you to start with. I was speaking to a senior pro in a championship side about this and his view was "we should not be taking kids that young, it's not right and I persoanlly wouldn’t let my kid go into that environment that young as its brutal" Used to listen to a lot of dads moaning about their great footballing kid being released from pro clubs,that was until I could take no more of Adrian Durham and switched to a music channel.Of course it is far too early in a child's life,most of their minds being on football glory instead of learning the three Rs. |
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Post by porlockweiro on Oct 31, 2024 12:29:04 GMT
Andover New Street in the Wessex Prem and Andover Town in the Hampshire Senior league. My mate is coaching at Andover NS this season, and they appear to be doing well, with great crowd following. You’re right about lower level football, although much lower than Wessex prem and it’s a bit poor in my opinion. |
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Post by dohnut on Oct 31, 2024 13:35:16 GMT
Andover New Street in the Wessex Prem and Andover Town in the Hampshire Senior league. My mate is coaching at Andover NS this season, and they appear to be doing well, with great crowd following. You’re right about lower level football, although much lower than Wessex prem and it’s a bit poor in my opinion. Andover NS continue to improve, they have a couple of really decent players. Town in comparison seem on a downward trend. Couple of seasons ago the played at the same level. Nice ground to watch games. Good bar area and the pitch is in good nick. Your mate is lucky. |
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