Saint Garrett Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 Good to hear that we're picking them up young !! Future star ?? http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/story-16428582-detail/story.html Promising Pilton footballer Harvey Woods has been highlighted as one of the hottest prospects in the area after being selected for Southampton's academy. The eight-year-old West Pennard School pupil was chosen from hundreds of other fledging South West footballers to attend the Premier League club's prestigious elite long-term player development programme based at the University of Bath, as well as the new £15million academy at Staplewood. .Proud parents James and Rachel Woods said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for Harvey to play in one of the best football academies in the country. "He will get to play alongside some of the best players in the country in his age group and against teams like Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, as well as many more Premier League sides. "There will be a lot of travelling, going to Bath three times a week and to Southampton for games and training but hopefully it will be worth it one day." Harvey previously played for Wells City's under-8s side but will not be able to feature for the Blues next season. However, he intends to keep in touch with his friends at the club and hopes to watch some of their matches next season. Any junior players aged between five and ten looking to get into the game are encouraged to attend Wells' soccer school, which runs from 10-11.30am every Saturday from September. James and Rachel Woods would like to thank Trevor Edwards, Kevin Rogers, Tony Crook, Mark Ambrosini, Mark Murrell, the parents of Wells City's under-8s side, John and Dee and all at the club's soccer school for their support. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_Randell Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 Riduculous to pick up players when they are that young, who knows how they will develop/grow? Plus takes the child's enjoyment away from playing with their mates and winning trophies etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Garrett Posted 21 June, 2012 Author Share Posted 21 June, 2012 Ooops...spelt name wrong in title.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 Riduculous to pick up players when they are that young, who knows how they will develop/grow? Plus takes the child's enjoyment away from playing with their mates and winning trophies etc How do you know? Have you asked them how they feel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 My son who's 8 plays for Centre of Excellence and dreams of playing for Saints but unfortunatly we live outside the catchment area, he loves every minute of it, but training 3 times a week and games in Swansea & Exeter are hard work and expensive.. But I do agree that 8 years old is too young, but you don't get many chances in this sport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 The eight-year-old West Pennard School pupil was chosen from hundreds of other fledging South West footballers to attend the Premier League club's prestigious elite long-term player development programme based at the University of Bath, as well as the new £15million academy at Staplewood. Interesting. How many other locations do we have? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 The Bath "satellite academy" is how we got Gareth Bale, amongst numerous others from south Wales and the South West of England. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 Interesting. How many other locations do we have? Don't think we have many more, unless they've opened up in the last year or two. Didn't Dyer and Bale come through the Bath or Bristol one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 Jake Sinclair came through the Bath satellite academy. There are loads of them, it has been very productive and helped Saints get round the 90 minute rule for academies (which will be going this summer). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soggy Bottom Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 I think Jason Dodd did as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capitalsaint Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 Riduculous to pick up players when they are that young, who knows how they will develop/grow? Plus takes the child's enjoyment away from playing with their mates and winning trophies etc I'd have enjoyed playing for a Saints team much more than scruffing it with my mates when I was 8. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glasgow_Saint Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 I was at the Bath "satellite academy" aged 9 - look at me now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capitalsaint Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 Cydajfu??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 Riduculous to pick up players when they are that young, who knows how they will develop/grow? Plus takes the child's enjoyment away from playing with their mates and winning trophies etc Depends how keen the boy is and how the parents handle it I guess. I know one lad who sought after by Arsenal and Spurs as a 12 year old but he gave up the game completely because his dad put so much pressure on at home (contradicting the coaches) and was a nightmare on the touchline Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Verbal Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 I was at the Bath "satellite academy" aged 9 - look at me now Technicolor yawning in Sauchiehall Street. What happened to you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niceandfriendly Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 If he really is from Pilton then we should forget it. He's clearly a hippy who'll be smoking weed and dancing around the Stone Circle at 4am on class A's at Glastonbury Festival each year. He won't fit in with our "Saints fit" ethos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 (edited) I'd have enjoyed playing for a Saints team much more than scruffing it with my mates when I was 8. Dont agree mate. Football at that age is all about having fun with your mates and developing the basic skills. I'm all for clubs doing coaching but getting them to play in matches is a bit to much for a kid. They need to spending all their time enjoying playing football and having a ball at their feet, learning how to pass and move, instant control and tackle properly not having the pressure of playing for a club and expectant parent. Its at that age you learn all those skills so they become second nature. When i was a kid we played 11 a side from the age of 8 on big pitches with full sized goals, it just involved a lot of lumping it forward with the biggest and fastest players scoring all the goals. No wonder we are so far behind the Spanish, French and Germans techncally when kids are brought up playing football like that. Edited 21 June, 2012 by Turkish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 Riduculous to pick up players when they are that young, who knows how they will develop/grow? Plus takes the child's enjoyment away from playing with their mates and winning trophies etc That's a silly thing to say really. Messi was picked up at 7 or 8. So was Bale ward-prowse has been with us since he was 10. The younger they are the better chance they have, if they're within a pro setup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 Dont agree mate. Football at that age is all about having fun with your mates and developing the basic skills. I'm all for clubs doing coaching but getting them to play in matches is a bit to much for a kid. They need to spending all their time enjoying playing football and having a ball at their feet, learning how to pass and move, instant control and tackle properly not having the pressure of playing for a club and expectant parent. Its at that age you learn all those skills so they become second nature. When i was a kid we played 11 a side from the age of 8 on big pitches with full sized goals, it just involved a lot of lumping it forward with the biggest and fastest players scoring all the goals. No wonder we are so far behind the Spanish, French and Germans techncally when kids are brought up playing football like that. I'm not sure. His parents mentioned that he's be going to Bath 3 times a week for training; you'd have to imagine that the coaching there will be better than he'd get with his mates (which, lets be honest, more than likely will just consist of a kickabout and not much formal coaching). He'll be surrounded by the best kids in his age group and coached by properly qualified coaches. As for matches, I agree about the whole 11 a side thing, its utterly ridiulous. But that all changed quite a while ago, and the FA have just passed regulations which means that small sided games will be used further along in the age ranges. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/may/28/fa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 I'm not sure. His parents mentioned that he's be going to Bath 3 times a week for training; you'd have to imagine that the coaching there will be better than he'd get with his mates (which, lets be honest, more than likely will just consist of a kickabout and not much formal coaching). He'll be surrounded by the best kids in his age group and coached by properly qualified coaches. As for matches, I agree about the whole 11 a side thing, its utterly ridiulous. But that all changed quite a while ago, and the FA have just passed regulations which means that small sided games will be used further along in the age ranges. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/may/28/fa The training and coaching side of it is great, it's the matches i dont agree with. I dont think kids should play competitive matches until they are 12, as until then it is all about learning the basics and how to actually use the ball. Small sided friendlies and maybe the off six a side tournement are all they should play. Okay, i realise matches at that age aren't the be all and end all, but he parents are already on about how great it'll be he can play against Chelsea and Liverpool, not how great it's going to be for him to learn the game and develop his skills. Too much emphasis on matches and not enough on having fun and learning skills and techniques. Maybe i'm just still haunted by freezing cold sunday mornings on muddy pitches being screamed at by dads to "get rid of it"!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 The training and coaching side of it is great, it's the matches i dont agree with. I dont think kids should play competitive matches until they are 12, as until then it is all about learning the basics and how to actually use the ball. Small sided friendlies and maybe the off six a side tournement are all they should play. Okay, i realise matches at that age aren't the be all and end all, but he parents are already on about how great it'll be he can play against Chelsea and Liverpool, not how great it's going to be for him to learn the game and develop his skills. Too much emphasis on matches and not enough on having fun and learning skills and techniques. Maybe i'm just still haunted by freezing cold sunday mornings on muddy pitches being screamed at by dads to "get rid of it"!!! It's amazing how far we still are behind the rest of Europe. This report tells it all, its a year out of date but anyway: http://www.soccerbythenumbers.com/2011/02/why-england-loses-not-enough-qualified.html The ratio of FIFA qualified coaches to active players: Spain - 1:17 Italy - 1:48 France - 1:96 Germany - 1:150 Greece - 1:135 England - 1:812 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectisSaint Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 Has anyone checked out who his Dad (or Mum) supports? No good bringing the lad through if the old man will be after a contract with Arsenal or Yeovil Town as soon as the boy is old enough. Only kids whose parents are both season ticket holders at Saints should be allowed into the Academy. I also dislike this idea that kids aged 8-15 are not allowed to play for their local club side if they are part of an academy set up. In some cases where 1 or 2 kids have been banned like this from playing for a club because of this elite set up the club teams have folded, leaving several kids who are not elite standard with no football at all. If the lad at the academy does not end up making the grade as will happen in 95% of cases, they will have been denied local club football throughout their childhood. I no longer coach largely because of similar scheme introduced here, we lost not only players but coaches as well (because the coaches were parents who were no longer able to support the Club because they had to become taxi drivers for their kids). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectisSaint Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 If he really is from Pilton then we should forget it. He's clearly a hippy who'll be smoking weed and dancing around the Stone Circle at 4am on class A's at Glastonbury Festival each year. He won't fit in with our "Saints fit" ethos. Aaron Martin is from the Isle of Wight (like me). We were having hippy festivals well before Glasto, doesn't seem to have done him too much harm (but it may or may not have blighted my Saints career). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
up and away Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 Riduculous to pick up players when they are that young, who knows how they will develop/grow? Plus takes the child's enjoyment away from playing with their mates and winning trophies etc Playing for trophies at young age has been the biggest restriction on youth development in the UK. Happily that point is now understood and we are not left with youngsters who were biggest in their age group or who could kick the ball the furthest, Gone are adult sized footballs for the younger leagues. Nowadays less competitive games, far more focus on individual skills and positional / team requirements. I doubt you will see players who have been through the top Academias having one foot only good for standing on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yate Saint Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 I heard they were getting rid of the Bath Academy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 Has anyone checked out who his Dad (or Mum) supports? No good bringing the lad through if the old man will be after a contract with Arsenal or Yeovil Town as soon as the boy is old enough. Only kids whose parents are both season ticket holders at Saints should be allowed into the Academy. I also dislike this idea that kids aged 8-15 are not allowed to play for their local club side if they are part of an academy set up. In some cases where 1 or 2 kids have been banned like this from playing for a club because of this elite set up the club teams have folded, leaving several kids who are not elite standard with no football at all. If the lad at the academy does not end up making the grade as will happen in 95% of cases, they will have been denied local club football throughout their childhood. I no longer coach largely because of similar scheme introduced here, we lost not only players but coaches as well (because the coaches were parents who were no longer able to support the Club because they had to become taxi drivers for their kids). and have some mug un-teaching them everything the pros are Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sambosa75 Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 and have some mug un-teaching them everything the pros are My nephew is captain of Saints' under 14 side. He is a central midfielder or centre back. When he plays for his school they stick him up front. It would be exactly the same if he played for another league team. What use is that to him? Not that he would have a chance. He trains 4 days a week and plays every week so I don't know where he would find the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Professor Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 Riduculous to pick up players when they are that young, who knows how they will develop/grow? Plus takes the child's enjoyment away from playing with their mates and winning trophies etc If you look at the summaries of some of our young players you will find that several are stated as having been with SFC since the age of 8. However, its also the case that a proportion of them do not go on to reach professional standard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonraker Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 I think Jason Dodd did as well Whilst Jason is from Bath I think he was a £50k transfer from Bath City at 18 or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 21 June, 2012 Share Posted 21 June, 2012 Whilst Jason is from Bath I think he was a £50k transfer from Bath City at 18 or so. Yeah, signed in 1989 I believe, what a signing he was. A lad at work used to be on saints books as first year pro in thea mid nineties, says Spurs tried signing Dodd and he turned them down as he loved Saints so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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