Reece said last night that there are 4 Charlton age groups playing up there that day!!
Hi Terry and well done again on Alfie.
The club have to publicly support School's football. When I say School's football, I am referring mainly to District and County as Alfie will not really benefit in any way from playing for his School. Please don't be tempted to play him up for the School as it won't do him any good and just opens him to risk of injury.
Academy football over the next couple of years will be more than enough for him and you (as it is such a commitment). There are no leagues and no medals, but he will be pitching himself up against some of the best boys in the Country. There is no such thing as a friendly as all the games are played at a high tempo and both teams will want to win. You will be amazed at the lengths some of the bigger clubs will go to in order to make sure they don't lose to l'il old Charlton.
We also were told that our son's could play for their District and County. Things have changed, particularly this year and a lot of that, in my opinion, is down to the changes in the Academy system and the level of investment Charlton have had to make.
If your son plays for their District and or County (as mine does), I can assure you that it will be frowned upon. I will leave it at that as I have probably already said too much.
In relation to Norwich, my son was there in January for a tournament which was behind closed doors as it was in the dome. I have not been told that we are up there next week but, nothing would surprise me. Norwich is a nice venue, but a long way to go.........
Thanks for the info Doc that is great information!!
What nights does your son train? Maybe meet up one night for a chat?
We were told at first we couldn't travel to Norwich as it is in there dome but as it is there first torney and still only 7/8 years old we are now allowed.
Would have been more fun for Alfie as Arsenal were also going to be there but have pulled out apparently?
I pasted it to a programme called GIMP (don't worry it's just an acronym for GNU Image Manipulation Programme) which is like having a free version of photoshop. Just selected rotate 90º and hey presto. Cheers for posting Terry, neat photos.
An interesting discussion. My son was at Spurs and we decided to take him out a few years back as the University of Herts Development Centre which is linked to Norwich City offered him with the better specialist training (He is a keeper). You have to look at the quality of the coaching and not the name of the club. I have never regretted the decision.
When my son played at Spurs - We couldn't watch him - he played in their dome in Chigwell - but he reported he rarely got specialist keeper coaching, just was in goal for matches. You could see they had a group of boys just playing matches and they were going to discard a number after a while. They seemed to me to be hedging their bets rather than developing the kids. Mind you - if a club actually signs you - they are pretty serious, so they may put more effort into your development.
Boys under 9 don't get much from competetive games IMO - in fact my belief is technique should rule over winning games until 13. My son is 12 and plays Sunday football, but I held off, so this is only his second season and I do think the 13-14 is more relevant to outfield players than keepers.
Not saying Charlton are not the best place to be - it probably is - but keep checking out what is out there. Sounds like you have a gem in your son and it is so important to do everything right for him.
I think there are a lot of old fashioned attitudes in the game. My son's school football coach apologised recently that a game was played on a smaller pitch, not a full sized pitch - for 11 -12 year olds! Many don't get it.
Thanks for the info Doc that is great information!!
What nights does your son train? Maybe meet up one night for a chat?
We were told at first we couldn't travel to Norwich as it is in there dome but as it is there first torney and still only 7/8 years old we are now allowed.
Would have been more fun for Alfie as Arsenal were also going to be there but have pulled out apparently?
Like I have said in previous posts the day I watch him play football and he doesn't smile gives me the thumbs up or gives me the wink I know he isn't enjoying it!
Yes, sounds like you are doing everything right. Think you have made a great choice going local too. Irrespective of Charlton being your club, travelling can get tiring for youngsters when they have school too.
An interesting discussion. My son was at Spurs and we decided to take him out a few years back as the University of Herts Development Centre which is linked to Norwich City offered him with the better specialist training (He is a keeper). You have to look at the quality of the coaching and not the name of the club. I have never regretted the decision.
When my son played at Spurs - We couldn't watch him - he played in their dome in Chigwell - but he reported he rarely got specialist keeper coaching, just was in goal for matches. You could see they had a group of boys just playing matches and they were going to discard a number after a while. They seemed to me to be hedging their bets rather than developing the kids. Mind you - if a club actually signs you - they are pretty serious, so they may put more effort into your development.
Boys under 9 don't get much from competetive games IMO - in fact my belief is technique should rule over winning games until 13. My son is 12 and plays Sunday football, but I held off, so this is only his second season and I do think the 13-14 is more relevant to outfield players than keepers.
Not saying Charlton are not the best place to be - it probably is - but keep checking out what is out there. Sounds like you have a gem in your son and it is so important to do everything right for him.
I think there are a lot of old fashioned attitudes in the game. My son's school football coach apologised recently that a game was played on a smaller pitch, not a full sized pitch - for 11 -12 year olds! Many don't get it.
Hi Muttley, I think it is very different for keeper's. I have to say that Charlton's keeper training is very impressive and I think there are normally two coaches present for their sessions. Like the rest of the Academy it has really stepped up over the last six months or so.
I know a few of the Spurs' parents and they share your frustrations in relation to not being able to see the boys train. They of course, have that fantastic new facility to enjoy.
I totally agree with a lot of what you have to say and agree that there is too much work and not enough fun in the younger age groups. I also worry about the fact that their training is all done on astro (not the keeper's).
One thing I would also say about spurs is that their outfield players are taught to concentrate almost solely on their individual skills and what THEY can do on the ball. It is always an entertaining game against them and played in the right spirit......
Yes, it is different for keepers. I agree with that - my son does benefit from the competetive games as long as he isn't in full size goals. The goals he plays in now are right in terms of the ratio to his size - they relate to a full size goal in that respect.
A strength of his was one on ones, where he saved most - then a few months back, his ratio started going down. He was getting a bit frustrated as he couldn't work out what he was doing differently and I couldn't either. Was it bad luck, better finishing? The development centre helped him identify it was a subtle issue around weight distribution. That's where the specialist coaching really helps.
Spot on re Spurs!! Alfie's Sunday team played them a few weeks ago winning 5-4 and all they wanted to do was run and dribble no passing at all?!?! They had one boy trailing for them but has stuck with Charlton even though 4 London clubs wanted him! He just couldn't understand why they wouldn't pass to him and was encouraged to shoot from any distance!!!!
After the match he said Charlton is the team I want to play for!!
Can I just add as well I have seen a lot of U8 teams around the country and without be biased at all (I tell it as I see it) Charlton if they play the right players together will be a force to be reckoned with they a are very very good team!!
40 goals for and 8 goals against in 100 mins of football ..... Schoolboy stuff !
Looks like they went to sleep in the middle one or do they change the teams around much, how many in our squad that played that day ?
Charlton had 2 teams which stayed together but Reading kept swapping thier two teams about, the funny thing is Reading had 4 goalkeepers but played the not so good one all the time against Alfies team?
For the record Alfie scored one goal....He blamed his new boots...lol
Comments
Hi Terry and well done again on Alfie.
The club have to publicly support School's football. When I say School's football, I am referring mainly to District and County as Alfie will not really benefit in any way from playing for his School. Please don't be tempted to play him up for the School as it won't do him any good and just opens him to risk of injury.
Academy football over the next couple of years will be more than enough for him and you (as it is such a commitment). There are no leagues and no medals, but he will be pitching himself up against some of the best boys in the Country. There is no such thing as a friendly as all the games are played at a high tempo and both teams will want to win. You will be amazed at the lengths some of the bigger clubs will go to in order to make sure they don't lose to l'il old Charlton.
We also were told that our son's could play for their District and County. Things have changed, particularly this year and a lot of that, in my opinion, is down to the changes in the Academy system and the level of investment Charlton have had to make.
If your son plays for their District and or County (as mine does), I can assure you that it will be frowned upon. I will leave it at that as I have probably already said too much.
In relation to Norwich, my son was there in January for a tournament which was behind closed doors as it was in the dome. I have not been told that we are up there next week but, nothing would surprise me. Norwich is a nice venue, but a long way to go.........
Thanks for the info Doc that is great information!!
What nights does your son train? Maybe meet up one night for a chat?
We were told at first we couldn't travel to Norwich as it is in there dome but as it is there first torney and still only 7/8 years old we are now allowed.
Would have been more fun for Alfie as Arsenal were also going to be there but have pulled out apparently?
When my son played at Spurs - We couldn't watch him - he played in their dome in Chigwell - but he reported he rarely got specialist keeper coaching, just was in goal for matches. You could see they had a group of boys just playing matches and they were going to discard a number after a while. They seemed to me to be hedging their bets rather than developing the kids. Mind you - if a club actually signs you - they are pretty serious, so they may put more effort into your development.
Boys under 9 don't get much from competetive games IMO - in fact my belief is technique should rule over winning games until 13. My son is 12 and plays Sunday football, but I held off, so this is only his second season and I do think the 13-14 is more relevant to outfield players than keepers.
Not saying Charlton are not the best place to be - it probably is - but keep checking out what is out there. Sounds like you have a gem in your son and it is so important to do everything right for him.
I think there are a lot of old fashioned attitudes in the game. My son's school football coach apologised recently that a game was played on a smaller pitch, not a full sized pitch - for 11 -12 year olds! Many don't get it.
Terry, have sent you a message.....Thanks.....
Like I have said in previous posts the day I watch him play football and he doesn't smile gives me the thumbs up or gives me the wink I know he isn't enjoying it!
I know a few of the Spurs' parents and they share your frustrations in relation to not being able to see the boys train. They of course, have that fantastic new facility to enjoy.
I totally agree with a lot of what you have to say and agree that there is too much work and not enough fun in the younger age groups. I also worry about the fact that their training is all done on astro (not the keeper's).
One thing I would also say about spurs is that their outfield players are taught to concentrate almost solely on their individual skills and what THEY can do on the ball. It is always an entertaining game against them and played in the right spirit......
A strength of his was one on ones, where he saved most - then a few months back, his ratio started going down. He was getting a bit frustrated as he couldn't work out what he was doing differently and I couldn't either. Was it bad luck, better finishing? The development centre helped him identify it was a subtle issue around weight distribution. That's where the specialist coaching really helps.
After the match he said Charlton is the team I want to play for!!
Thanks to to Doc64, enjoyed reading your contributions.
Hope things continue to work out for both your kids
5-1
12-0
8-5
7-1
8-1
Believe it or not Reading were not a bad set up it just proves Charlton have a very strong squad for next season!
Bring on Southend on Friday at Sparrows lane!
I will put another update soon
COYR
Schoolboy stuff !
Looks like they went to sleep in the middle one or do they change the teams around much, how many in our squad that played that day ?
For the record Alfie scored one goal....He blamed his new boots...lol
Boys got a lot to learn. : - )
Cant blame a 3G pitch mate (Played in their dome)