3 trainings a week at age 9. Little glimpse into why Japan is so successful in womens football, especially at age group level.
Though yeah must be a big early burnout of kids at a young age, like your nephew.
Remembering reading a really interesting article on I think Friends of Football, penned by a respected shools coach. A guy who coaches at one of the big secondary schools on the North Shore. A Kiwi he'd started out coaching in the UK, including age group stuff at some of the bigger clubs there from memory.
In his view NZ had it about right, in mainly focussing on the enjoyment factor until an older age compared to the likes of Japan & the UK. He also thouight it was fine for kids to play both school & club football. Declan and Arsene Wegner may disagree, but I remember it was an interesting point of view & read.
Though yeah must be a big early burnout of kids at a young age, like your nephew.
Remembering reading a really interesting article on I think Friends of Football, penned by a respected shools coach. A guy who coaches at one of the big secondary schools on the North Shore. A Kiwi he'd started out coaching in the UK, including age group stuff at some of the bigger clubs there from memory.
In his view NZ had it about right, in mainly focussing on the enjoyment factor until an older age compared to the likes of Japan & the UK. He also thouight it was fine for kids to play both school & club football. Declan and Arsene Wegner may disagree, but I remember it was an interesting point of view & read.
Nephew’s a sensitive kid. I saw him cry at a loss a couple of times. Plus he probably started a little too late to be really serious and he also got a girlfriend and I’m sure a number of things I’m not privy to.
Niece has been playing on a mixed elementary school team, but I think this is a move to girls only. Tbf I think she’s still enjoying it! But yeh, a slightly different mindset perhaps. More folk, more competition, less time to waste.
I think also you focus in a little earlier here. Where a kiwi kid might be doing 3 days on hobbies- say swimming, music and soccer, especially by JHS quite often kids focus on one exclusively.
You can get club branded ‘training’ from 2 here, if you’re really keen.
Soccer and baseball the main sports. But basketball, volleyball and traditional sports like kendo, judo, karate and others also popular.