Interesting conversation, I can’t speak on behalf of NZ or the UK but in Argentina where I’m from, its hard. For most young children born in poverty, a football career is the only possible way out. So, the same boy who probably doesn’t want to spend half an hour doing his school homework would spend hours playing with friends, on a public park or a bare piece of flat land, hoping that one day a team scout would see him play and decide he’s worth a trial.
Teams hold open trials for kids of different ages, so they can just show up there. I attended one once, and it was fascinating. It was for a team currently in the second division and in complete disarray, so we’re not talking a top notch opportunity. Some kids went with their parents, who were rooting from the sides, but some were alone, having walked or rode a bus to the place. In any case, the sieve was brutal, and most were told to go back home within half an hour. I left after a couple hours when maybe 10% of them remained, yet I know most of them were still going to be rejected.
From a historical perspective, of course there are many poor countries which don’t even come close to Argentina in football. Thing is, the sport caught on in the middle 19th century and had no rival for a long time, so pretty much every youngster turned an amateur player. Some modest success was achieved, and as some teams became competitive with the European top dogs, it took near exclusive status, same with Brazil and Uruguay.
The cut throat approach is critical, though not nice in the least. My nephew played in a children’s league of sorts when he was 7 or 8. Unlike NZ, Australia or even USA which view of children sports as fun for all, the Argentinian view of football is “only the best guys play”. So my nephew (who was no star) spent long minutes in the bench, only coming in when the game was either easily won or hopelessly lost… yes, that made him and me feel like
shark. But I admit that’s the attitude that leads to better player quality overall. For those who travelled to South America, you would have noticed there were kids playing in the streets or in dirt everywhere, playing with rolled up socks or balls that are falling apart..
