There have been so many exciting things happening. Everyday
is a new adventure, a new story to tell.
My training with Tyresö last week was phenomenal; the focus was in the
final third and finishing. We played
small sided the last 15 minutes of training and the soccer was fantastic. The image I had in my mind on how the game
should be played had really come to life… The play reeked of TikiTaka and it
was so much fun to watch. My groups in
Tyreso consist of talent groups of different ages and different teams within the club;
through the time I have had them so far I have seen a massive improvement. They
all have developed as a player and as a “team”. There is a feeling that
they are one; “One team, One Tyresö.”
TikiTaka has also just recently partnered with Olympen
Skolan. It is a huge partnership! Olympen is starting their first football
school. The school could not be in a
more perfect location. They are located between Stadion, which is one of the
most beautiful stadiums in Stockholm, and a beautiful soccer complex,
Ostermalms IP. I am playing a big role
in this partnership and the experience so far is amazing! I am included in all
the decisions and have a say in the publications and press.
One day I had a meeting with the Principle of the school,
the director of sports and the communications manager. I actually dressed up very professionally for
the meeting. I felt good showing up for the meeting in “business attire” Usually
my “business attire” involves shorts, a tee-shirt and soccer cleats; (nothing
better than knowing you get paid to play or coach and that the field is your
office.) Dressing up was a nice little mix up and it made everything feel even
more special. I met everyone and after 20 minutes they asked me to change into
my soccer clothes... They wanted to do a
photo shoot for different ads and so forth.
I thought is was pretty funny; I only lasted 20 minutes in my so called
“business attire” until I changed into what I belong in!
I was up next! I was lucky enough to have some incredible
guests with me; Tyresö FF’s players Vero Boquete, Meghan Klingenberg and
Christen Press joined the session. They
are all World-class players and they all had such a positive impact on the
session!! It was great for the kids; they got to witness greatness firsthand
and meet some great female role models. It
was so much fun having them there! They have joined my Talent groups at Tyresö as well and I am extremely grateful.
I started the session with my “dance with the ball” I love
dancing with the ball! It’s a very different type of training but to me soccer
is a dance; it is a game full of different rhythms. There are individual rhythms,
team rhythms etc. If you can find your “rhythm” you are going to succeed. The
players were getting really into it! The DJ playing my music told me in the
beginning that he was only going to play one song and then he had to shut down
and pack up. He ended up playing six songs… The reporter for a soccer magazine joined the
session; he interviewed me before and told me he would stay for the first 10
minutes of the session and then head out. He ended up staying the whole time…
The DJ and the reporter caught the fever as well!! When the music stopped I
focused on one on one’s and attacking the space on a dribble and a pass. I think the kids got a ton out of it and
learned a lot. Then I ended with some team building exercises.
Parents, players and coaches came up and thanked Tyresö players and I for the session. I had one
parent come up to me and say that her son is really interested in this football
school. She told me that her son has
been discouraged from soccer lately and is not having very much fun. He said
that he might not want to play anymore. She told her son to come and try out my
session. Then she said to me, “I have
not seen my son this happy with football or anything in a long time. He looks
like he loves it again.” Those words are proof of a beyond successful session!!
That was the best feedback I could have asked for. We talked for a little while and I told her
our TikiTaka philosophies and so fourth and her son is extremely interested in
coming to the school. He found the fire again!!!
The day was done and I was sitting on the bus back to my
Stockholm home thinking and recapping on the session, everything about the day and almost could not help
but smile.
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