As you may have seen via social media channels, I’ve just returned from a 7-day experience at Dutch giants, PSV Eindhoven. During my stay, I participated in the FCE Pro Course and coached the under 15/16 age group, alongside a number of other coaches.
The week was extremely demanding with a very, very high bar set. In environments like this, you can either learn to adapt and participate as much as you can, or, you can sit and be a spectator and simply watch the course pass you by.
Throughout this 3 part series, this being part 1, I wanted to share my reflections with anyone who might be interested. The intention isn’t to try and persuade readers to take up a course with FC Evolution, it’s intended to give you an honest insight to what happened during the week. There are plenty of courses on today’s market, but I struggle to find one that offers as much as these courses do. Yes, you get access to professional set up’s and environments, but the chance to test your thinking and challenge others, is what the biggest attraction is for me. Forget about licenses and past experiences, I have been with managers and coaches from the highest level, who are working alongside coaches with minimal experience in the US, for example. This is what coach education should look like and not that of, I’ve played 1000 previous games, I get instant ‘entry’.
Before I start to share my reflections, I’ll give you some context so you can view this 3 part series, through my lenses. If you take these points into consideration, then it could possibly give you the best possible chance of digesting the text.
Previous courses – I’ve now taken part in around 12 courses with a mixture of live workshops and online content. Due to this high rate of participation, my references (information received) are a lot clearer and this allows me to come up with more concise solutions to potential problems. While there is no guarantees with this, it does allow me more chance to be successful.
Pathway – Naturally with any qualification, you want to (hopefully) push yourself and reach the highest level you can. On this pathway there are a number of routes you can take. Online then live, live then online or, just live and just online. While to some it may seem odd to do both online and live courses, it allows the coach to confirm learning and test potential hypothesis with other coaches. Once you work through the various levels, there is a ‘Personal Development Course’ at the end, which is restricted to a small number of coaches. This course was ranked as the ‘Pro Course’ and in other words, Level 3.
The coach educator – Marmite comes close, on how to describe this. You either love it or hate it? While many tend to disagree with Raymond Verheijen, you can’t fault what the man does for coach education in the world of football. He uses ‘rock solid’ objective references and will always explain things in a logical order. While subjectivity does have place in football (your application to a certain situation), RV does an extremely good job at removing this from conversation, thus making the chances of coming to a clearer solution, a lot higher.
While most accept this, improve and conduct themselves accordingly (practice what you preach), a minority do always struggle. Does this make them ‘bad’ people or ‘poor’ coaches? Of course it doesn’t. What it does prove though, is that the brain of some coaches can’t cope with the overload and they simply crumble.
In England RV isn’t looked upon positively (from my various feedback from different areas of the game). I really don’t know why, as most comments are about him and not about the content. Would you go to a course here, to just see that person, or would you commit your time to learning and taking what you can from various presentations and case studies? Listen to the message or shoot the messenger? He does openly say throughout each course, that he could be wrong and looks forward to being proved that way.
Course intention – Each course I have taken part in, has an intention that you are working towards. This past week was the final piece in a 3 part process, with the following intended outcomes;
Course 1 – Amsterdam – Design and re-design (of training session)
Course 2 – Zagreb – Re-re-design (of training session)
Course 3 – Eindhoven – Apply (training session)
I took part in course 3 and our job was to apply the training sessions (that had been planned and tested for the previous 2 weeks), with the PSV Eindhoven players. There were a number of coaches that did take part in week 2 & 3, as well as week 1, 2 & 3. Their job was to transfer vital information to the coaches who were new to week 3, giving them an opportunity to ‘coach’ us. This is a very similar situation that all coaches find themselves in back home, where you have information and want to ‘download’ it into the brains of your players. How you do this is your decision, but if you fail to provide clarity and guidance, you could be leading your players (coaches in this case), in a less effective direction. This could then mean that you fail to accomplish the ‘team’ (course) intention.
On Tuesday, I’ll progress into Part 2 for a more in-depth look at exactly what we got up to on the course!
After last week’s well received news of 2 new businesses opening, we wanted to update everyone on what’s been happening.
Our website is near completion and should be going to test at the end of next week, along with the long anticipated shop. While there will still be some work to do, we hope that the site will be ready to launch by the middle of June.
Our head of player and coach development, Adam Clark, is away in Holland visiting PSV Eindhoven around the same time, so the opening of both sites maybe delayed until he returns.
Our football events will have a sample viewing in July, with a private function. During the evening, Adam will run through all the new services that will be available, with a number of opportunities to experience first hand of what to expect.
For the online football shirt store, there will be a huge drop on opening with over 60 shirts being available to purchase. There will then be regular drops of around 10-12 shirts weekly and monthly bargains, that will be available to all. While the shop will operate with deliveries via post, there will be an option to collect, if you live nearby.
With everything gathering speed and the upcoming opening of both businesses, we will have a give-away available to all that wish to participate.
The winner will receive a £50.00 voucher, that will be available for either use with 5-Star Football Events, or 5-Star Football Shirts.
To put yourself in the draw for this competition, you will need to piece together all of the clues that will be posted via our Park to Pro social media pages – from Monday 29th May – Sunday 4th June. There is no set time of when these clues will drop, so please keep checking regularly. Please note, once the following clue is released, the previous one will be deleted! On Sunday 4th June, there will then be a question sent out with all correct answers going into the draw, which is taking place on Monday 5th June!
As you will now have seen, Park to Pro have 2 additional businesses under the leadership of Adam Clark. 5-Star Football Events and 5-Star Football Shirts, will be officially launching in June, with an invite only event. After this, both businesses will be open to the public via your own online platform.
So, what does this mean for Park to Pro?
Park to Pro, will still be operating and will now just focus on the coaching of players and coaches. Over the last 12 months, the business has gone from strength to strength, so now it’s about aligning the correct services with the correct business. Introducing…..
5-Star Football Events – This will be home to all celebration plans, special events and themed nights. The idea here is to bring football past and present to you, with a nostalgic ‘retro’ focus. There are many glorious moments in football that deserve to be re-lived, so this is where you will find this! Typically aimed at the adult market, there will be a couple of options available to the younger generation too.
5-Star Football Shirts – As some of you will know, Park to Pro have regularly been supplying football shirts to our holiday courses. Some are from a private collection, as well as being part of the themed events. Due to the large amount of shirts now in possession, it made sense to turn a hobby/passion into something more substantial. The online store will be launched in June and have a large array of shirts – past and present – that will be available for sale at competitive prices. The market in the industry has truly taken off in the last couple of years, so it now makes sense to join this community.
With both businesses separated by name, but aligned with objectives, both 5-Star Football Events and 5-Star Football Shirts will cater for all football fans by hosting a number of ‘new’ experiences. There will be specific themed evenings, with previous game footage, shirts, quizzes and memorabilia from these occasions, available to view. By creating this environment, we really want to take you back in time and give you that emotional rollercoaster, one more time!
In the build up to both businesses being launched, there will be separate social accounts created, as well as a number of prize giveaways. Please follow, share and support this new journey, as this promises to be something truly exciting!
Adam, said; “This has been a project I have worked on for some time and has taken over 12 months to get together. I have tested many of the experiences with the children on our holiday courses and it has really taken off. The idea now is, to step into the adult market and give football fans something to look forward to. Both new companies will work under under the same umbrella as Park to Pro and will have clear differences, to ensure there is something accessible to everyone. I’m really looking forward to contributing to the enjoyment of football fans in the local area”.
Our new website is still under construction, with tests being made in the very near future. We’re hoping to have everything completed and ready for launch, in around 4 weeks time. We look forward to updating you on the development of this and providing you with some top prizes. Stay tuned!
We’re excited to share the news that next year, the Subbueto World Cup is being hosted in England! While this might not mean much to some, here at Park to Pro we have some very exciting opportunities coming up.
In the coming months, we’ll be opening England’s FIRST and ONLY Subbuteo club, dedicated to children. With next years tournament taking place here in the UK, there is no better time to get involved in the game. Whether you are starting out for the first time, or want to continue your hobby, we will be able to accommodate.
The short term aim of the club is to build interest and participation levels, with long term aims of competing locally and nationally. There will be plenty of spaces up for grabs at next years world cup too, so the opportunity to represent your country, really is there!
Adam (owner of Park to Pro) said; “I have had numerous discussions with the ESA (English Subbuteo Association) and they are in full support of this new club. The world cup is being hosted here next year and they will need more players to fulfil squads. This is a perfect opportunity for children to gain a new experience and possibly represent England”.
Initially, the club will only be open to children and we hope to launch in May. After this and if the interest is there, we will move our attention into looking at an adults club. By doing this, we could compete in leagues locally and cup competitions nationally.
We have enough equipment to launch and cater for all, so if you don’t yet possess a team of your own, you can still attend.
If you would like to register your interest in either the children’s or adults club, please email adam@parktopro.com
In my latest edition of blogging, I’m going to focus on another hobby I’m involved in and that’s Subbuteo.
The tabletop game has been around since the 60’s and I’m sure most, if not all football fans, will know what it is. Most recently I moved house and discovered a number of items that I forgot I possessed, with Subbuteo being one. Upon opening the box and looking to see what I had, it brought back plenty of memories and a ‘want’ to play again.
In the last month I’ve joined a number of groups on Facebook who share a huge passion for the game, as well as networking with a number of players. Upon discussing many things with them, it is clear to see that there is still plenty of interest in the game. At this point, I still hadn’t played a game, but the overwhelming interest was now there.
In this moment of excitement and exploring what was on the market, I discovered that there was numerous leagues running up and down the country. I then took some time to think and plan ahead, which has enabled me to start implementing my own league, here in Berkshire. Observing the different groups on Facebook, it was largely male, with a higher average age. What wasn’t seen at all, we’re children? So, I did some research over the last 2/3 weeks and have found that there isn’t many younger players in this country. I interact with hundreds per week through my job, so that has made my decision quite easy, in the fact that I’ll offer out to these first. A new Subbuteo Club for children (both boys and girls)!
The fun really has started now, as I’m not just purchasing Subbuteo for my own collection, I now need as much as I can get my hands on, to run the club.
Upon approaching a couple of groups on Facebook, I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of generosity there is, in helping a fellow collector. Since I made the decision to progress with the club I’ve managed to secure pitches, players, scoreboards, balls and fencing. There are smaller items like benches too, as well as full limited edition sets.
The short term plan is that, children can attend to learn the game and then play it, in a pressure free environment. With a long term plan being, next year’s World Cup! The competition is taking place here in the UK, so there is surely no better time in starting, as this is the ultimate achievement for any fan?
Having something to strive for, such as this, will give the club context and meaning with a firm focus on what we wish to achieve. Even if weren’t fortunate enough to get a player into the competition, it will be a great experience in definitely trying.
‘Off the pitch’, I’m getting familiar with everything I need to know again, especially what teams I may like to purchase. Being a QPR fan, I’ve been lucky enough to pick up a couple of sets off of eBay, along with many other classic teams. The ‘La Leggenda’ range is superb and this has a firm focus on some of the previous greats. The detail on each player is commendable and there is a true likeness to the strips that the teams wore. Along with having a vast range to pick from, you can pick up some absolute bargains on eBay, so there is no need to pay those large prices. I have recently printed off the full list of teams, so this could be my new project in trying to complete!
There also seems to be a huge interest in the pitch surrounds, with many enthusiasts sharing their own incredible efforts. While this won’t be my immediate priority, I will be looking at purchasing some grandstands in the near future to decorate one of my new Astro pitches (which seem to be a huge upgrade on the ‘old school’ fabric style. They cost more, but look like they could save a lot of hassle).
The next steps will be to launch the children’s club around the 18th April, with an adult only club opening during the summer. While I’m yet to know if there is much interest in the ‘older’ age group, I’m certain there will be an uptake with the youngsters (especially with a World Cup) on the horizon.
For now, I’ll be researching the internet for ideas that I could use for my club and reviewing the rules to ensure I know exactly what I’m doing.
In the meantime, I’d love to connect with any Subbuteo fans or anyone who wishes to get involved with the game. There will be many opportunities coming up in he next month or two and I’d love for you to join us.
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