Transfer Window

The Premiership transfer window has been quiet apart from Newcastle's new arrival but up & down the country there is a lot of dirty tactics being used with players being captured and lured.  Not by professional clubs in professional leagues, but my junior clubs in the youth leagues!

Is your child playing for a football team yet?  How have they been treated this season?  Do they play the same amount of football as others?  Are they receiving a good education?  Is the training good?

Watching a number of clubs I continually see poor training methods, so called favourites playing every game while the same children sit out, over excited adults cheering and jeering.  But what comes as a real shock to many parents is after a long hard year the so called coach looks to replace your child!

Trials

Youth football has a busier transfer window than the Premiership now!

It's that time of the season again when you see posters popping up all over the place from clubs offering trials.  Some clubs go that bit further from the dodgy looking posters of, 'Like football? Join Us!', to features on their websites.

Some go as far as writing letters to current players and parents letting them know that their child's place is not guaranteed next season.  How do parents feel receiving letters like this after a season of insuring their child arrives to every training schedule and match programme.  Some maybe going further and offering lifts to other children, washing the kit and of course paying their subs!

It makes me laugh.  When I see a poster about trials it makes me think that the club doesn't have a good enough development programme in place.  Thus the players aren't developing at the level they hope for.  How do they solve the problem?  They threaten to get rid of some of the players and replace them with more developed players from another club.  Many coming from a club that has in place a good technical development programme and coaches that can work with young players.

Short term the club may see some improvement from poaching these new players.  Long term the promising players that have arrived don't continue to develop as players and like the children from the previous season will be replaced.  The funny thing is some of the disregarded players are being invited back in.  The sad thing about it is that many children are leaving the game in their droves.

I believe in trials at the end of the season, but instead of it being for players why not have it for coaches?  The ones I'm talking about are the ones who shout at kids, make gestures like Jose and swagger up the touch line in their tracksuit with their initials printed on their top.  'But hey, you can't replace me, I've just done my Level 1 and I'm qualified!'  Give us a break...

Let me have your feedback.  Remember for those wanting to access additional, high quality coaching you can register your interest with me for the TWAcademy.Org.  Children involved with me over the past year have been coached to a very high standard along with receiving opportunities to be coached by SL Benfica & PSV Eindhoven.  In fact I will be taking my academy to West Bromwich Albion in May for a match, training and to see the final Premiership game of the season against Arsenal!  Last August we flew to London and played Fulham and the North Kent Academy.  The year before we were in Holland and played PSV Eindhoven!

For more info about the programme or if you need advice on training methods contact me by email.

2011 Review

Happy New Year!  Now 2012 has arrived I thought I would review 2011 at the TWSports.Org Group.  From travelling to SC Braga to visiting the fantastic Watford Academy it has been another action packed year.  I published my second book in June, celebrated 6 years of operating TWSports.Org in July and took my Academy over to London to play Fulham!

Of course I couldn't do this without your fantastic level of support and friendship.  I continue to re-invest to help continue to make our product the most innovative around along with offering the latest in technology with our websites, social media my blog to help communicate and make ourselves available to you.

January – TWAcademy.Org announced a tour to London for August 2011.  Tour highlights included a game against Fulham FC and North Kent Academy, a stadium tour and tickets for Reading FC.  Players involved in the Academy come together from Irish League sides and boys clubs.  Currently we have players from Glentoran, Cliftonville, Loughgall, Dungoyne, Ridgeway, Carryduff Colts and Newry.

The Academy is open to all elite players that want access to additional elite training that focuses on technical training and game understanding.  To get your child involved contact myself by email or by phone, 07740120788.

February – The TWSports.Org Group increase their presence on the social media sites of Facebook, Twitter and You Tube.  Simply search for ‘twsportsgroup’ or click on the logos at the top of our web page and follow us for the latest news.  We have also made it easy to share pages from our websites by clicking the link button at the bottom of each page!

March – During March Tim Wareing & a couple of his 1-on-1 students enjoyed some media training by featuring on UTV's 7.30 Show.  The team from the show filmed Tim, Luke & Tom during a 1-on-1 session.  The 7.30 Show then aired later in the week.

If you missed the feature you can watch it by simply following this link.  Tim & the boys are shown approximately 16 minutes into the show.

You will see some of the great work the boys do.  You will also hear from them & Tim on some exciting opportunities coming their way in the very near future.

To get your child involved you can contact Tim direct by email or phone, 07740120788.

SC Braga visit via Porto

April – Director of TWSports.Org, Tim Wareing, travelled to Braga to meet up with his good friend, Hugo Vicente, at SC Braga.  Coach Frank & Coach Andrew joined Tim on a 4 day Club visit of a top Portuguese club who would later secure a place in the final of this year's Europa League.

The Ryanair flight arrived into Porto all on time.  With Hugo busy taking training sessions it offered an opportunity to see around the city.  What a beautiful city Porto is.  The team had a look around the stadium before making their way to the river to meet Hugo & have some lunch.

After lunch the team transferred to Braga to get settled in & freshened up for the evening session.  The U13's, U12's, U11's & U10's all trained on a full size 3G pitch spread over a 2 hour period.  All the sessions involved the ball & fun activities for a warm up before possession type games & small sided games after.  The Braga Academy has some of the best goalkeeping coaches in the country.

As Tim remembered during his last visit in November about the well mannered kids from the Academy it was evident still to this day.  On arrival players from the age of 7 automatically greet their coaches (& us visitors!) with a hello & hand shake.  They are confident children that behave & represent the club to such a high standard.  What is also refreshing is the relaxed friendly environment.  Although this doesn't stop the coaches demanding the players to work hard but it proves children respond better in an enjoyable setting.

We also enjoyed a second day at the old stadium which is now the base for the U19's & an athletics club.  We saw Hugo work with a small group of players on a technical basis.  Very interesting that it was the goalkeepers.  The hour was based around working with their feet as the modern day keeper is seen as a sweeper too.

We enjoyed another evening session with the younger boys of the Academy.  A real bonus was for us to eat with one of the U13 players who lives in Braga with a club 'nanny'.  To be away from his family at such a young age & carry out such a busy daily schedule was amazing to hear.  Although the club look after Pedro so well.  I share more information on Pedro's schedule on my blog by clicking here!

On the Thursday Braga were away playing their quarter final first leg game in the Europa League.  The Club President has a rule that all teams don't train so they can watch the first team.  This gave us the opportunity to watch a typical grassroots club in Portugal train.  It is always interesting comparing the professional game to grassroots from country to country.

The Amateur Club had a very impressive set up.  From a full size grass pitch & a full size 3G pitch with floodlights, an impressive new stand & club house to an indoor 3G pitch for when the weather is poor (in north Portugal it gets very cold in the winter)

We enjoyed dinner along with watching Braga achieve a great result.  A great night was enjoyed along with a relaxing Friday before our return home.

This proved to be another great fact finding trip.  TWSports.Org would like to thank Hugo & Braga for their hospitality.  4 days of being looked after by a wonderful club & players was truly amazing.  We enjoyed great friendship, football, weather & food.  We now look forward to welcoming Hugo back to Northern Ireland.

May – ‘Toddler Soccer the Essential Guide’ book by Tim Wareing has now sold in over 20 different countries!  This stretches from the UK and Ireland, across Europe to USA and Canada, the Far East and Australia!

You can order the paperback version or the e-book by clicking here!  You can listen to the BBC Radio Ulster interview on Tim’s new book by following this link.

Tim Wareing's second published book; '1-on-1 Coaching The Secrets To Improve ALL Football Players - GUARANTEED!'

June – Tim Wareing released his second book through his publisher titled, '1-on-1 Coaching The Secrets To Improve ALL Players - GUARANTEED!'  Copies are available in paperback or e-book!  You can order online by clicking here.

July – What a special month!  TWSports.Org celebrated its 6th birthday!  Our Summer Camps offered over 10 venues across Northern Ireland and open to all boys and girls aged 2-13.  Along with this Director of the TWSports.Org Group, Tim Wareing, was interviewed by BetterFootball.net about the release of his new book; '1-on-1 Coaching The Secrets To Improve ALL Football Players - GUARANTEED!'

Head of BetterFootball.net, Pavl Williams, is a Development Coach at the Manchester United Academy.  An experienced coach that has travelled the world along with being an author himself.

In this podcast you will hear Pavl & Tim talk about youth development, Tim's philosophy, club visits along with his new book & the success of his Toddler Soccer programme.

You can hear the interview by clicking this link.  You can also add your thoughts by adding your comments at the bottom of the interview page.

You can order Tim's new book by clicking here.  The book has already sold in over 20 different countries!

TW Academy, Luke Fisher, exchanges pennants with the Fulham captain before kick off

August –TWAcademy.Org travelled to London with games set up against North Kent Academy & Fulham.  How fate works – 10 years to the day I took my grassroots side, Castlereagh Colts, to London to also play…Fulham!

The Academy enjoyed an action packed weekend with friendly very entertaining games against North Kent Academy & Fulham.  Two of our players were highlighted by the Fulham scouts.

The boys also enjoyed the experience of a tour around Reading FC along with walking onto the pitch!  The package included tickets for their Championship game against Barnsley.

September – We kicked off another new season – our biggest yet!  From offering 8 great products that cater for children aged 2 years +; to our web based products that have coaches registered from all over the world!

Along with the likes of Toddler Soccer, Mini Soccer & elite training through TW Academy we also offer other great packages to!  From 1-on-1 coaching and organising birthday parties to coaching in schools and at local clubs we offer the most inclusive and innovative product around!

October – Tim Wareing's two books are now available online from Amazon, Waterstones, WH Smith & SoccerTutor.com.  They have each sold in over 20 different countries along with being purchased by top pro clubs in England, Germany & Portugal.

Tim Wareing assisted Academy Director of SC Braga, Hugo Vicente, in operating a Portuguese style session at St. Francis football club.  The pair traveled to Dublin and spent the weekend with DB Sports to operate the clinic.  Well over 60 Irish kids enjoyed the clinic & sessions.

A successful Halloween Camp is held which offers affordable day care solution for parents while children are off school.  Helping children get active, have fun and learn new skills from only £2 per hour!  A party is held for all children and parents at the end of the week.

We base all our Fun Camps on a normal school day from 10am-3pm with an early drop off service available from 9am.  For more information contact me by email or phone, 07740120788.

November – UEFA A Licence coach & Director of TWSports.Org, Tim Wareing, was invited to Watford FC to view their wonderful Academy.

'I arrived on the Monday evening & was collected by Watford coach, Dave Godley.  I was welcomed on board onto Dave's narrow boat which provided a relaxing stay in London.  Tuesday morning we attended the Harefield Academy (the school).  Watford have about 40 of their Academy players attending the school.

The presentation offered an insight into how Watford have taken a successful Dutch academy set up but personalise it to suit their own needs.  Other clubs in attendance included Tottenham Hotspur, Reading, Southampton, Derby County & the Scottish FA.

After our tour of the school we listened to the presentation & success stories.  We then got the opportunity to watch the training.  The boys receive two sessions daily & up to 15 hours coaching a week without losing out on their education.

Later in the day we got to watch the 7's & 8's train before heading down to Vicarage Road to watch the first team play Bristol City.  A very eventful game with Watford going 2-0 up only to end the game drawing 2-2.

I flew home from Luton on Wednesday after enjoying lunch with Dave & a look around Watford town centre.  I was so impressed with the set up.'

December – A fun month with a number of coaching clinics by UEFA A Licence Coach & Director of TWSports.Org, Tim Wareing.  Open to all children the clinics were perfect to develop children in a relaxed environment.  Tim also organised fun Christmas Eve events for all the children across the programme including the toddlers, while Santa dropped in with some presents!

Thanks for the support in 2011.  Good just got better for 2012 & we look forward to sharing it with you all!