Real World Problem Solving in Young Player Talent Identification.
' Professional Development Led by Professionals'
The PFCA Online Course : ‘ Identifying Potential Talent
Dave Richardson, the Chairman of the PFCA has been working with Robin Russell from Sports Path to develop two online courses - ‘ Identifying Potential Talent ‘ and ‘ Developing Potential Talent ‘
Dave and Robin have conducted video interviews with a number of Academy Managers and former Academy Managers /Assistant Managers including the following :
Liverpool ( Steve Heighway ), Everton & Newcastle Utd, ( Alan Irvine ) , West Ham ( Tony Carr) , Spurs & QPR ( Chris Ramsey ),Southampton ( Martin Hunter) Middlesborough ( Dave Parnaby) Manchester United ( Paul Mcguiness) Aston Villa ( Bryan Jones) Arsenal & WBA ( Terry Burton) and in the women's game- former England Manager Hope Powell and the English FA’s Player and Coach Developer Marieanne Spacy
The Courses are designed to prompt the learner to develop their own thinking aided by the views of these experienced practitioners and research
Some of the first coaches who have completed this course have given us their views as can be seen below:
Andy Watson: Technical manager for Al Habsi Academy ,Oman and former Assistant Manager Glasgow Rangers FC , Hibernian FC Birmingham City FC and Scotland National Team Assistant Manager:
“ I found PFCA E-learning course to be challenging, informative and stimulating.It showed an "old dog"(I've been called worse) you are never too experienced to learn new thoughts and ideas.
The course was most beneficial to myself in that I could start a module find I had to leave it due to work commitments, then return to it at my convenience.”
Guy Branston, Premier League Academy Coach and Scout, formerly Head of Recruitment Chesterfield FC and Notts County
Michael McArdle,UEFA Qualified Coach (A Licence & Elite Youth A Licence) former Directors of the Falkirk FC/ Forth Valley Football Academy ( Scotland )
“I thoroughly enjoyed this further education on Talent ID. Having a significant experience in Talent ID through working as a coach and Academy Director, this course provided a chance to reflect on my previous practices, gather my thoughts in a structured fashion for future and a great insight into other environments, their practices and knowledge from the key providers on the course.
The platform through Pebblepad was excellent as it allowed flexible interaction across, laptop, Ipad and phone”
Spencer Fearn , Youth Foundation Coach, Sheffield Wednesday FC Academy and First Team Manager of Frickley Athletic FC ( Semi - Professional Tier 7 of English Football ) FA Affiliate Tutor
“ The real positives for me was seeing the videos from so many well thought of Coaches / Recruiters in the game, whose insight and thought processes were invaluable in aiding my learning. Also a good use of scientific studies to back up certain elements such as Relative Age Effect were good."
Adamos Efstahiou , UEFA B Licensed Coach, SFQ Academy, Qatar
“ The course was very interesting and very helpful. The way you choose to give us the information was very good. I enjoyed the videos (listening the personal experience from professionals at the top level) and also the links were very useful.Generally I feel that I gained a lot from this course and I strongly recommend it to other colleagues
Trevor Atkinson, UEFA A LIcence, Development Team Manager Sunderland AFC Ladies
"Really enjoyed it from start to finish, glad I did it and put the effort in. It builds on the talent ID workshops I have done this year with Sports Coach UK & links into the England DNA and my role as a FA Tutor"
For whom is the Course Intended ?
- For Football coaches who work in youth football in Talent Development Programmes ( or who aspire to work in such Programmes )
- Typical Programmes would include : Pro and Semi - Pro Clubs, Youth Academies, Development Academies, Colleges, Youth Soccer Clubs , ODP ( in the USA)
For Further details of the Course including Videos please click here
We have also now engaged three online Tutors provide feedback to learners as part of the Premium Course . These are :
Steve Darby the former Technical Director of the Football Federations of Australia, Thailand and Laos, Ray Hall- former Everton FC Academy Director and John Owens Double Pass Auditor of Football Academies in the USA for MLS and USSF and former Academy Manager Liverpool FC
For the Basic Course there is the opportinity for learners to share views and good practice with other learners but there is no tutor feedback provided on the Basic Course
Tutor feedback is only provided on the Premium Course and only for 10 specified tasks. The tutors will provide feedback to learners on 10 of the most important tasks of the course for an additional fee of £105 ( inc VAT)
The 10 specific tasks for which the Tutors will provide feedback to learners are as follows :
- Selection of the Criteria for a General Player Checklist
- Selection of the Criteria for a Position Player Checklist
- How and What to brief coaches to observing players in game situations
- The perceived most important background factors of potentially talented players
- How to manage Relative Age Effect to maximise the identification of potentially talented players
- How to improve your identification of ‘ late developers ‘ as potential talented players
- How to use data, testing or the web to help identify potentially talented players
- How to identify ‘Hotspots’ where talented players have grown up and how to use this information to find similar ‘Hotspots’
- How best to develop relationships with Schools and Grassroots Clubs to help identify potentially talented players
- Best Practice in working with players of potentially talented players
The Cost of the Basic Course in £60 (inc VAT ) but is available exclusively for members of AFCAT at a 20% discount for £42 - a saving of £18
The cost of the Premium Course is £165 ( inc VAT) but is available exclusively for members of AFCAT at a 20% discount for £147 - a saving of £18
Learners can enroll at any time and they will have accees to the course for 3 months from the date of enrolment
For any problems please email rrussellsportspath@gmail.com
BASIC COURSE
To enroll on the Exclusive Basic Course Fee for AFCAT members = £42 ( inc VAT ) Click on the button below and you can use any credit card or a Pay Pal account if you have one
To enroll on the Exclusive Premium Course Fee for AFCAT members = £147 ( inc VAT ) Click on the button below and you can use any credit card or a Pay Pal account if you have one
PREMIUM COURSE