Throughout the year we have lost 3 players from the Academy because they couldn't handle the amount of commitment required. So this past weekend we had 2 days of clinics to help select new members.
This time around we mostly networked with local clubs that we have either played against or scouted at some point. The amazing thing was how willing the clubs were to share their players. We found that the guys coaching these kids genuinely want great things for the boys and want them to take hold of excellent opportunities. They seemed to trust us really quickly, so they brought them with expectation and pride.
The talent level at this clinic was way higher compared to what we had a year ago at similar clinics. These boys can all play, so it made the environment competitive and challenging for the players.
The first day was just the invited kids, but on Saturday we had our current players join them. It was fun to see the excitement within our kids as they imagined adding some really talented players to our family. At the conclusion of the clinic on Saturday we had our boys give input individually into who they thought we should select. The interesting and affirming thing was that they basically picked the same players that we were thinking.
We actually have only formally invited 2 players to fill the 3 spots. We have invited a few more players to today's practice to see if they might fill the 3rd spot. However, the 2 boys that we did choose are going to be terrific. Eric, was born in 1998 and lives in Ottery. He plays on the wing or in an attacking midfield role. He's got great skills and reads the game well. He LOVES to go forward, which we appreciate. He's got a super-involved mom who supports him really well.
Wandile is a 1999 and lives in a really rough community called Philipi. He's a really slick center midfielder with feathery touch who passes the ball really well. He's going to improve our team dramatically. He's got a great smile and an awesome Mom who really wants great things for him. Wandile is the exact kind of kid we want to be involved with. He's from a really downtrodden community, has amazing talent, is mostly uncoached, has a great attitude, and has been raised by a great parent.
Both of the boys were actually at the same club previously, Wynberg St. John's. We are really thankful for their coach for not just allowing them to come for the clinic, but for encouraging them to take advantage of this opportunity.
I'll get some pics of the boys soon, so that you can see their great smiles. And please pray that God would lead us to the right boy to fill the final slot.
Pumped,
Casey
This time around we mostly networked with local clubs that we have either played against or scouted at some point. The amazing thing was how willing the clubs were to share their players. We found that the guys coaching these kids genuinely want great things for the boys and want them to take hold of excellent opportunities. They seemed to trust us really quickly, so they brought them with expectation and pride.
The talent level at this clinic was way higher compared to what we had a year ago at similar clinics. These boys can all play, so it made the environment competitive and challenging for the players.
The first day was just the invited kids, but on Saturday we had our current players join them. It was fun to see the excitement within our kids as they imagined adding some really talented players to our family. At the conclusion of the clinic on Saturday we had our boys give input individually into who they thought we should select. The interesting and affirming thing was that they basically picked the same players that we were thinking.
We actually have only formally invited 2 players to fill the 3 spots. We have invited a few more players to today's practice to see if they might fill the 3rd spot. However, the 2 boys that we did choose are going to be terrific. Eric, was born in 1998 and lives in Ottery. He plays on the wing or in an attacking midfield role. He's got great skills and reads the game well. He LOVES to go forward, which we appreciate. He's got a super-involved mom who supports him really well.
Wandile is a 1999 and lives in a really rough community called Philipi. He's a really slick center midfielder with feathery touch who passes the ball really well. He's going to improve our team dramatically. He's got a great smile and an awesome Mom who really wants great things for him. Wandile is the exact kind of kid we want to be involved with. He's from a really downtrodden community, has amazing talent, is mostly uncoached, has a great attitude, and has been raised by a great parent.
Both of the boys were actually at the same club previously, Wynberg St. John's. We are really thankful for their coach for not just allowing them to come for the clinic, but for encouraging them to take advantage of this opportunity.
I'll get some pics of the boys soon, so that you can see their great smiles. And please pray that God would lead us to the right boy to fill the final slot.
Pumped,
Casey
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