North Vancouver Prodigy

[Dude]

Soccer phenom, 9, signs with Barca

I’m sure everyone saw this article. Quite the amazing accomplishment for this young guy! Anyone on the board here coach this kid?

When I was over there last month, I took a bit of time to learn a bit about their youth program. Quite simply it rivals our hockey system as far as producing the cream of the crop, if not more intense. Obviously in Canada, players are brought up under the guidance of Hockey Canada, and the Junior Hockey System. Though not “professional”, it basically is, and it works for us in that sport. Difference there obviously is that the National associations sit back and let the professional clubs do all the developing. The U-10 team is their youngest squad, and I think that only 15 or so are selected per year, and they are reviewed every year. So, by 10 these kids are under the pressure of playing for a contract renewal. Which, you can argue, it the type of environment required to have the cream rise to the top.

FCBarcelona.cat

And, speaking of our stadium issues, these kids, along w/ the Barca “B” squad (reserves) don’t get to play in the main stadium. They are relegated to playing across the street in the Ministad- a 15,000 seat “mini” stadium…all on the same Camp Nu property.

On top of that is the Masia, the only original structure on the property. It’s an old Catalan farmhouse that is now used as a residence for the youth players.

Good luck Gianni…I hope you remember your home country when the time comes!

[johnnybluenose]

Giancarlo Soccer – Help me achieve my goal of becoming a professional soccer player

Wow, That is really cool. It is so cool to see parents feeding their kids dream and sacrificing it all for him...

Good luck to the wee man.

[Dude]

http://www.gsoccer.ca/images/Little%...Jan17-2008.pdf

Juan Carlos wants Gianni to be a pro and someday take Canada to
the World Cup.

I'll be a fan for life if he holds his word.

Juan Carlos could teach Owen Hargreave's old man a lesson or two.

[Captain Shamrock]

Originally Posted by johnnybluenose

Giancarlo Soccer – Help me achieve my goal of becoming a professional soccer player

Wow, That is really cool. It is so cool to see parents feeding their kids dream and sacrificing it all for him...

Good luck to the wee man.

And I'm guessing it has nothing to do with Dad's dream either........

[Dude]

Come now Captain...what 5, 6, 7, or 8 year old wouldn't want to train 4 hours / day.

[trece verde]

Actually, Dude, there ARE some kids like that. My younger daemonspawn would spend up to 2 hours during his older brother's water polo practices just hammering a soccer ball off the nearest wall, controlling the rebound, and doing it again. This is something he would do nearly daily of his own volition, from the age of 6 to 8 for the whole summer. Not into juggling, but nobody wants to stand in front of him in a dead ball situation any more...

Granted, this isn't quite the same as training 4 hours a day because your dad tells you to, but the motivation is all internal.

Trece

ps - he spends nearly the same amount of time playing hockey every day now...

[Dude]

Ummm...yeah Trece...2 & 4 hours are quite a bit different.

Anyhow, what you describe isn't unusual.

[trece verde]

Dude:

Yes, I realize it's a shallow comparison; however the point I was trying to make that got lost is that if he'd had more time to do what he was doing, he would have taken it. This is a kid who has that same kind of internal motivation - if he had 4 hours to bash a ball like that, he'd take 4 hours. Seriously.

Another one: one of my neighbours has a daughter doing competitive rhythmic gymnastics. You know, the stuff we all want our daughters to excel at when they're young, and what we all want our dates to be capable of when they're older... This is another kid who by choice spends 3-4 hours per day training to be the next Lori Fung.

Yes, Papasito is living more than un poco vicariously through his kid. Just hope the little guy isn't burnt out completely from the game by the time he's 15, or perish the thought, that he gets hurt.

Now fcuk off, I'm busy....

Trece

[Dude]

Trece, I do get what you're trying to say, but they describe 4 hours / day, 6 days a week, TRAINING. As in structure. I could say the same thing about my kid too, but going outside and kicking the ball around, having fun, and yes- getting better- is not the same as 4 hours / day, 6 days / week.

Like, in December, when most kids are happy to hangout inside and watch a movie, he's got the kid in the carport TRAINING for 4 hours.

If that is to be believed. My kid is involved in a lot of sports right now, and I can't immagine the singular commitment to structured training for 4 hours a day, 6 days a week.

I'm quite sure the kid has his own internal motivation. I coach one exceptional player that is the same in that he can't get enough. In all the academies, and at the end of it, goes outside by himself to play. I'm sure many a day- especially Spring, Summer, Fall- he ends up playing soccer for 4 hours a day. But, it all isn't structured, and when it is pissing rain outside in November, he's just as likely to play a video game. But, 4 hours a day, 6 days a week? Come on Trece...let's not tell fibs. Most kids do not have the internal motivation to follow that sort of structured training under their own willpower. Playing around and having fun is one thing. Strucutured training- entirely different.

Anyhow...let me know about that swamp land.

[suburbanator]

That is inspiring, and i just made a donation through their website (Thanks Paypal, you rock!) Nicely Done.


Hope its tax deductable.

[trece verde]

Dude:

Valid point, and taken. Just stating that this is not outside the realm of possibility, but definitely an extreme case. The only other group I can think of that takes it to this level on a structured basis for kids this age (aside from the gymnastics thing already mentioned) is provincial level water polo (the Storm program). Like I said previously;

Papasito is living more than un poco vicariously through his kid.

The swamp land's going fast. Army has already asked about it, as it's located in Delta. Interested in a bridge instead?

Now fcuk off, I'm busy.

Trece

[Dude]

Yeah- anything swimming / gymnastics related is maniacal. Recipe for burn-out. Good on-em if they stay w/ it.

I will only invest in a bridge if you can somehow position it at the end of Fraser Highway (Surrey side), and have it run over top of Whaley, and intersect w/ the Putello. I see real value in a Whaley bypass.

[BlazeArmy]

Trece,

shhhhh. You weren't supposed to spread that around. I am getting a deal on the bridge beside it too.

[trece verde]

Guys:

There's more than enough bridges for everybody. Franchise has already bought 3 to Maple Ridge.

Dude:

As the taxiing parent of two water-logged hellions, I can relate to the maniacal schedule. How I get to play any soccer in the summer is a source of wonderment with the practice times inflicted upon us by their swimming commitments.

You say Putello, I say Patullo...

Trece

[colemanj]

Dude,

Trece can confirm that there are a bunch of kids training in Burnaby, juggling for 3 - 4 hours every Saturday -- even in the rain and snow, and always after a full 90 minute game -- with no complaints (and no carport)... it is all part of our dream.

[trece verde]

...and half of them always wear red bibs.

still daring to dream,

Trece

[Dude]

Originally Posted by trece verde

Guys:



You say Putello, I say Patullo...

Too funny...didn't sound right when I read it out in my head.

I used to have a girlfriend that called it the “Penticton” bridge, you know, because it was the bridge you’d take if you were driving to Penticton.

She was a snobby Vancouverite type. Not very bright, but good at other things.

[Dude]

BTW, the irony of your kids having to stare at the bottom of the lane for 4 hours a day, 6 days a week is that by the time they are 15, they may be above average swimmers, but just about as strong in the water as mini Dude- who has caught the surfing bug bad since out last vacation (few trips to Tofino this summer and Christmas in Huatulco, Mexico are in the works to satisfy his demands. ). Only difference is we'll have great tans.

Or, he will. The Fijian blood will make sure of that. I'll at least have a gnarly burn, bra.

[knvb]

Was there a point to any of that?

[Dude]

You expect me to make points after all these wasted years?