If there is anything the British public received from watching the London Olympics in 2012, it was an insight to how important the future is for sportspeople. Future brings possibilities, hope and Usain Bolt smashing his own records.
With the Brazil World Cup just around the corner and England’s performance throughout the qualifying stages, the future becomes something of a speculation; should England be concentrating more on their youth?
Mark Davies, 46, a coach for under 10’s football, says: “Most funding comes initially from the persons setting up the team, which are recouped from the kids’ subs for training and matches throughout the season.”
It’s quite apparent from talking to the coaches, referees and players on a rainy Tuesday evening that a lot of motivation from all parts is needed, as well as a £4 sub fee per training match.
Ex-Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has been called many things over the years; however he is undeniably an experienced coach. In his recent autobiography Ferguson touches on youth football with how good the Brazilian team are: “They are football minded people, because they are accustomed to it from five or six years of age.”
The logic is simple; if England want to be classed as one of the best countries, like Germany, Spain, Brazil, surely they should be implementing similar programmes. The German team are renown for giving their youth huge amounts of support, the 2010 world cup team who knocked out the English “Golden Oldies” were no older than 25.
Mark argues funding is a big issue, that can often make or break a youth team, “unfortunately councils do not give funding; [it] would help a great deal if they did.”