Football
Memoirs – All For Nothing
(1022 Words)
I had just flown from Bangkok to Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport and was heading for Euro 2000: the European Football competition between neighbouring European countries. Slightly jet-lagged and a lack of sleep, I exited the airport and first went to Amsterdam Central Railway Station. I headed straight for the railway station to throw my bag in storage. It was certainly too bulky and heavy for my next experience. I was soon walking freely away from Amsterdam station, and I could now go off to the Philips Stadion in Eindhoven to see England play Portugal. Beckham and Figo et al head to head. Despite the excitement of this, I had actually booked a ticket to see the rock group Oasis in Hamburg the following day after the match; this initially was really my only plan. I had been a fan since the early days, and they were always worth seeing live anywhere in the world. So, as I strolled around Amsterdam at least I knew now I had to get from Eindhoven to Hamburg somehow.
I spent an interesting night in Amsterdam and then the next day went off down to Landgraaf by train. Talking to someone after a few drinks the night before, I had found out about a music festival; it was the PinkPop rock festival about an hour or so from Amsterdam. To my delight, it actually had Oasis playing and was not far from Eindhoven, I thought. I always remember going to this festival as I never had a ticket. As I got there in the morning, I saw lots of music lovers in a field. Various thoughts came to mind but I spent a good 30 minutes looking at how to jump the fence to get in for free. I made my move and was soon over a fence and in. This was only to find out that it was for tents/camping and the festival was in another field through more security and barriers. Anyway, I got a ticket for a cheap price, so it was not any hassle. The festival finished (I got to see Oasis without Noel Gallagher), and my next move was to think about the football. I ended up getting the train to another town one stop down from Eindhoven as the town was full of what seemed like England football fans who had taken over every hotel. Each hotel I went into to ask for a room in Eindhoven had so many football fans milling around singing and every place had no vacancies. I eventually spent the night in a hotel in the next town albeit it was full of Orange as the Netherlands were playing; the next night was the big match.
Once again, I was without a ticket but somewhere to go. I made my way up on the train from my hotel in the next town. I then spent the day drinking in Eindhoven and generally mixing with the English fans. I put the word out that I was looking for tickets, Fortunately, I found a guy who had tickets for the match. I was a bit wary because this ticket had the owner’s name on it, and match security was going to check tickets and passports/ID too. I was cautious, but I bought it anyway; I was going to chance it. I thought if security takes the ticket away, at least I tried to get in. The buzz of the impending game was growing, ultimately then came my moment of trying to get in without security’s bother. I walked closer and saw there were metal fences stopping fans, I got my ticket out and showed it. The inspector just looked at the ticket, I had made it past. I was buzzing. Yes, I had made it but what was this, it was only to the next fence. There were three of these. However, the stars were shining that night; I made it past all of them, and no real checks. The match was brilliant too, singing the National Anthem, cheering on every move, going crazy to the goals although England lost to Portugal; damn Figo!
Now, it was time to look for somewhere to stay the night. There was nowhere, I was homeless in the Netherlands. All the hotels were full, and it was getting late. What could I do? I ended up sitting in a few bars and restaurants which was not nice for me, as you meet up with many weird people from 11pm to 6am. 6am was the time the train to Hamburg left Eindhoven station. I was actually early and spent an hour waiting still seeing England fans going round singing after a big night out. I needed sleep badly. The Oasis concert in Hamburg was that night, and I had had no sleep. So, it was just my luck when I got on the Eindhoven train, and it was full and this continued through my three changes of train as I crossed from the Netherland to Germany. After a lifetime wait, I actually found a seat, but by that time I was scared of never waking up and ending up in Russia or something.
So, now I was in Hamburg standing at the railway station looking out. I found myself a nearby hotel, had a look around, and made my way to the OASIS concert. I could not believe all that I had done over the last few days. This was the only activity I had originally planned. I actually had a pre-booked ticket, I was legal. There would be no worries over security, no worries about jumping fences, and a nice paid for hotel waiting after the concert for me. I had looked forward to this rock concert for the month, I had the ‘golden’ ticket to get in. As I got to the stadium, I thought it looked a bit quiet and wondered if I had the right place. Where were the crowds of fans? I asked one of the guys there, and he said the Oasis concert had been cancelled. I had made the trip all for nothing due to Liam becoming ill. Nice one Liam!
A love of volunteering – Coaching Kids Football
(855 Words)
Getting up early on Saturday after a week’s work may be a hard task for many, but when you have the enthusiasm for sport, namely under 8s football, this can be the least of a coach’s worries. Coaching kids’ football can be a most rewarding experience. This is how the story goes…. every Saturday at 8.00am the kids are ready to learn football skills, have fun and meet their friends; the coach has to encapsulate all these factors for them. The challenge of coaching these kids in their football team is fitting in a challenging step by step coaching plan within 90 minutes allocated including a period of warm up and skills training while preparing them for a 30-minute match (against another team) before the end of those 90 minutes.
The first step is the warm up where the muscles are warmed up and stretched a little. After rounding the kids up for an approximate start of 8.00am, it is time for the warm up exercise which also includes the thought of waking up their minds. The little ones can be still a little sleepy! Kids do not want training to be too serious and being 8.00am they are not they to be lectured to. The coach does not want them against him. So, for example, a great game for a warm up for coaching that always works involves the kids dribbling with the ball over a distance of 50 meters, then when the coach shouts a body part, while they are dribbling, the kids have to place that body part on the ball. This gets them familiar with the ball, but also opens their thinking to listen and perform a task. Usually the kid who is last to do the action gets a gentle kick on his bottom. It adds a little humour to proceedings. A careful check on the clock is needed as not starting dead on 8 am and this exercise running for 20 minutes or more can limit time; not forgetting the coach wants the main focus to be on learning more specifics on football.
Next is the chance for the kids to actually learn a few football skills, making sure before this that they might need a break for a drink. Naturally with the skills and warm up there has to be a transition from the last exercise where the process of coaching has to include a part that actually teaches them skills for future use. A major factor of football and coaching is passing so emphasis can be on this. For example, the coach gets the kids into pairs 3 metres apart, first demonstrating the task with a better player by using the inside of their foot to pass the ball. Next, the pairs of kids pass to each other. This can be done for 5 minutes. Then, the coach adds a bit more flavour to the exercise. They then, have to pass the ball through their friend’s legs from their 3 metres gap. Again, another 5 minutes is fine. So, the kids are now a bit more familiar with passing. To follow this is to get the kids into groups of 3s and play ‘piggy in the middle’. Two kids pass between themselves and the other has to touch the ball. Another short period is used for this. Another check of the time should be done as time is running out before the match; so to finish off the skills section the ‘piggy in the middle’ game is played again with everyone. This brings the group together to have a fun ending to this section.
Finally, the real game starts after another drink break. The team now has to be picked for the match and tactics discussed. At this lower age of players, it is not fair to baffle them with football science, so it’s the coach’s job to encourage them to have fun and enjoy playing while still keeping in mind what they have learnt beforehand. Now, the game starts. The coach needs to keep the kids’ minds active, younger kids can lose concentration and think that football is just about kicking the ball while looking at the ground. Minds do wander! Win or lose though the coach should make sure the kids tried. Once the first half is over, the coach directs the kids to their drink, then gets them back for a little positive pep talk, then leads them out for the second half. At the final whistle, both teams shake hands. Hopefully, the coach’s team walks away with a win but priority is that a great morning was had by all.
To conclude, all the warm up, skills and final match may seem a lot to do within 90 minutes but if a little preparation is done, there is never a problem. Enthusiasm for the game and the kids, plus a passion for teaching helps any coach along the way. Any new coach should learn that time spent working out a coaching plan banishes into the background by the satisfaction of a seeing the kids’ faces as they have fun training and having a match.
