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 thought 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.
Edit - found it. Guy coaches at Birkenhead & Westlake Boys. Interesting yarn if you have the time.
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2024/08/20/special-feature-a-conversation-with-high-performance-coach-dave-wright/
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 thought 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.
Edit - found it. Guy coaches at Birkenhead & Westlake Boys. Interesting yarn if you have the time.
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2024/08/20/special-feature-a-conversation-with-high-performance-coach-dave-wright/