What an eventful summer, full of laughter, joy, fun games and full of football!
What coaches learn from a summer camp?
As for a coach, I have learnt so much from this experience. I learnt to be even more patient J. Kids have so many different characteristics and I have started to realise, maybe there just isn’t a bad kid?! But the coach needs to be versatile and able to adopt instantaneously. I have participated in over 10 camps this summer and have worked with 3 year olds to 20 year olds, with a group of 50 or in a group of 6, ranging nationalities, Russian, English, Pakistani, Italian, South African, Ethiopian, French.
This leads to my next point, as for a coach you need to be creative. I have learnt to play so many different fun games, including football cricket, bowling, baseball, shooting practice games, fun warm-up games. In some of the relay races younger and older groups were mixed, and it was fantastic to watch them support each other and solving challenges together. It was an absolute joy to watch the older group helping and encouraging the little ones succeed. The chanting I have heard during the final of the tournament still gives me goose bumps just writing about it.
Other times it is important to have the groups separated, so everyone gets more opportunities to touch the ball and to best improve in the group they belong to by ability.
Small injury, sickness, weather conditions are challenges that coaches need to face. Some kids may have had too much for breakfast and get sick, or twists and ankle on flat surface, summer storm causing us to go under cover, really-very fast!
And, yes, it requires 100% concentration from coaches to be an active part of the camp. I remember coming home after 6+2 hours of daily coaching and collapsing in my bed. It is more tiring then playing football myself, but its worth it!
What kids learn from a summer camp
- Socialising skills, all kids learn to fit in, as young as 4 to be able to interact with a 13 year old. A South African with an Italian, or boys with girls, this is why football or any sport in general bring everyone to an equilibrium, where sportsmanship is practiced unconsciously.
- They came to learn new drills and to enjoy playing football. I remember on many occasions some kids were only meant to sign up for a single session, but they enjoyed themselves so much that they came the following days and weeks too.
At this point I briefly mention the parents, grandparents, nannies who woke their children up in the morning (or have been woken up by them, because of the excitement coming to a football camp ;)), preparing their lunch boxes, making sure they have all the necessary kit to wear, coming on time, picking their and other’s kids up. You are doing a great job! Plus, let’s not forget you get a day off.
International football camp
I have been asked to participate in a session in Saint Petersburg, where I was coaching 3-4 year olds. I knew it would be challenging. Coaching 3-4 year olds are challenging in itself, yet alone I was coaching kids in Russian. (My Russian is not bad, but not great). What an experience that was, I am glad I made it, I have learnt much from it, I really enjoyed the fact that kids were training in a professional environment, parents were on the sideline cheering their kids on. As let’s not forget, this is the best thing you can do, watch your children play and being an active part of their development.
Upcoming event – Football camp in Hungary
All of these activities in the summer gave me lots of experience I can take away for my next camp, which is going to take place in Easter in Hungary. Hungary offers a great opportunity with top notch facilities, camp sites, catering and sights. I have been planning a 9 day camp in Hungary, so kids can have an experience of their life. The camp has a football theme, including training, games against local teams, Stadium visits, Aquapark, fun games (button football), sightseeing in Budapest, etc… You can contact me to hear more about it, I will also post more details about it.
My overall experience I can take away from this summer, is the bond I build with kids is something special to see them smile, seeing them learn something new and showing it to me, is definitely my favourite moment of the football summer camps.
…to be continued…
