In this together
Last Updated: 06/10/16 12:27pm
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James Dall attended a Nike Academy training session, and was impressed by the standard on display and the attitude of the players.
James Dall attended a Nike Academy training session, and was impressed by the standard on display and the attitude of the players
On a September evening a hand-picked squad of gifted youngsters congregated at a Nike Academy training session with one aim in common: the will to earn a professional footballing contract.
Some of these young men consider this, the Nike Academy, to be their last chance to do so. A quite troubling outlook considering their tender age, yet this is the reality of those seeking to 'make it'.
However, despite this pressure, these players, many of whom have already had to deal with rejection, enter through the door of the changing room excitedly chatting amongst themselves. If you look hard enough, though, one can see the steely glint in their eyes.
There is a healthy camaraderie among the group that is obvious. They are glad to see one another, and when it becomes clear that a few are nursing injuries and are unlikely to play a role in the session, there is evident concern.
Penny has dropped
This is a point that struck me during my first time meeting and observing these boys. In truth, I had expected some selfishness on display, an impress-at-all-costs attitude in a bid to stand out. But that was not the case. They are all in it together, and the penny appears to have dropped that working as a team will benefit their individual causes.
After a briefing from the experienced coaches, who command instant respect and a hush in the chatter, from the eager-to-learn youngsters, we head to the indoor pitch. The slap and pinging of footballs commences - this is where the boys belong, and want to remain.
From this scribe's point of view, the standard is high. The tempo is nippy, with one drill actually serving to dizzy to the observer such is the movement of blurred feet. As the session develops, personalities emerge too, with some vocal, others less so.
Hunger
After there had been laughter during their casual warm-up, the atmosphere soon switched to a competitive air. And that competitiveness did get a little over-zealous during one possession drill, forcing coach Nas Bashir to step in and temper matters.
But it is hard to blame the players for such bubbling enthusiasm. There are pockets of people gathered observing the session, and for all the youngsters know, there could be a scout in our midst. The difference between them being offered a trial and being overlooked could be one interception missed. The margins are that fine.
That is the crux of the matter. For them, every ball kicked is another bullet point on their CV for their dream job. Speaking to a handful of the boys after the workout, they accept they are privileged to be playing for the Nike Academy, but concede this is likely to be their last crack at earning a pro deal.
As I conduct the final Q&A, the engine of the coach waiting to take the players back to their homes rumbles into gear. I hear cheers from the team-mates of the final interviewee as he steps onto the coach. These players all have the same aim, and they intend to achieve it together.