NEWS - JUNE: NORHALNE CUP: THE EXPERIENCE TAKES US ANOTHER STEP FORWARD

Writing about our latest tour experience two/three weeks on was a measured process, as the experience is not just the week spent in Denmark, it is the lessons the players learn and take away. The challenges we have as coaches is to provide the right plan for inidividual players moving forward and helping the process before, during and after the tour.

The 28 strong playing squad had a great mix of first time tourists, through to experienced boys who have been on up to 5/6 tours over the past 18 months and when you have U9 players who have toured so frequently, it is no wonder that these individuals can cope playing a year up in an elite tournament.

The great thing about a tour spanning a week is that the players can solely focus on all matters football and everthing is geared to performnces on the pitch. On arriving at our accomodation (Sulsted School) the boys were able to unwind with a low key afternoon, before a short sharp session helped the boys stretch their legs before Wednesdays training day. For some of the boys the travel experience was different to the majority of the players, as circumstance meant a different flight to a different destination was nessasary, however this unique experience helped the boys learn that not everything goes to plan and being flexible in thought and finding a way round problems is a massive part of life!

With everybody present, Wednesday would see a step up in preparation, and a morning and afternoon of practice would ensure the players would have a good train of thought going into the first days competition. The preparation period also highlighted the great football facilities our European neighbours have. In a village with a population of 500 the facilities were of extremeley high quality and with the room and quality of resources available it further highlightd the reasons why English football is in a constant catch up with the rest of Europe in player development.

The first days competition would see a good atmosphere amongst the boys as they went about their duties in a efficient and unfussy way. The low maintenance nature of the majority of the FDS players was one of the stand out highlights of the tour and again helped the players focus on their football. With the teams in different types of tournaments, each group had different goals and objectives for the week and from these tasks the learning process could be developed.

The U12 sqaud played in a seven a side u13 tournament, however even with the age differention, the boys would go into the tournament to compete at the business end of things and started in good form, picking up points against their opponents. Against the strongest opposition the boys would learn that letting up on the high standards even for brief periods would go against their chances of being eventual winners. The overall level of play was excellent by the boys and the difference in performance from the start of the season has been massive.

The U10 squad played in the U11 eleven a side competition and found the steep learnig curve hard going at times, however within the tournament there was some very encouraging displays by a number of the squad, and the experience will prove to be extremely beneficial one as the players move onto the new season. The most pleasing aspect for the coaching staff of this age group was the durability of the boys who showed a good attitude throughout the competition and competed excellently against bigger opposition. A special mention to our centre halves who were emense throughout and looked as good as any player in the tournament.

The U9 squad also played up a year and had the goal to compete throughout the tournament, being the youngest team in the competition the boys put together a number of good displays and worked well as a unit defensively. This defensive work meant that the boys attacking play became disjointed at times however the boys scored a couple of goals that would have been amongst the best of the tournament and proved to be tangible highlights for the boys. At the other end our Goalkeeper produced consistently high levels of performance and
came away with great credit. The pleasing thing for the coaches regards to this squad is that 2/3 more players have steped up to the mark and gives us all reasons to be optimistic moving forward.

Away from the football the players always conducted themselves impeccably and enjoyed life at the school,where we had excellent hosts. The mix of characters within the touring squad is always one of the most enjoyable parts of taking the players on tour and the 2km walk home from evening dinner was always a good time when the group shared the laughs and good group togetherness.

FDS would like to thank the organisers/hosts of the tournament, we found every detail of our stay superb and these qualities make our decision to return next year easy.

The parents again supported the process fantastically, dropping the boys off without fuss and letting the tour party get on with business is a great help to players and coaches alike.

The players, who represented us with exceptionally high standards, and had the balance of business and fun working togther to make it a great learning experience.

Following the tour, we have already noticed a number of subtle changes to the boys habits and the tour experience again has propelled us forward in a number of areas. As we look towards our next tours and the next season the reasons to be optimistic are there within the players.