Vodacom NXT LVL Putting Footballers Through School

Oct 10, 2016 | ,

Having played various sports as a child and teenager, as well as watching my nine-year old explore different sports, including rugby and football, I sincerely believe that participating in sports can have immense benefits for a child growing up. At my son’s football sessions, the coaches are fair but don’t allow for messing around. They expect discipline, the desire to work hard, the understanding that it is about team work and having fun. I have seen introverted and/or shy children, including my boy, come into their own on the training field and, in talking to other parents, we see it carry...

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Youth Development hits the NXT LVL

Jun 22, 2016 | ,

Lionel Messi started playing in his hometown team Club Atletico Newell’s Old Boys youth system at the age of 8. At 13, he moved, with his entire family to Spain where he trained and played at La Masia, Barcelona’s youth academy. Steven Gerrard joined Liverpool’s academy at 9. Cristiano Ronaldo signed with Sporting Club of Lisbon at 12. Andrea Pirlo made his Serie A debut for Brescia at the age of 16. Paul Pogba started playing for a club near his hometown in France at the age of 6, spending 7 seasons there. As with most sports, youth development in football is something that needs to take...

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Each Game Is A Moment

May 11, 2015 |

The Beautiful Game! How does one describe the full breadth of emotion that is born out of watching eleven versus eleven on a field in a battle for supremacy over a football where the weapons are skill, strategy, determination and passion? How do you articulate the feeling of pure joy when your team wins or the pain when the team is going through a rough patch? It seeps into all parts of your life, often made worse by the banter and chirping from those around you who support rival teams. It’s that time of the year that every football supporter dreads – end of season. Regardless of where your...

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Battle of the Football Ads

Jun 17, 2014 | ,

It is the FIFA World Cup in Brazil and, in addition to there being the opportunity to be absolutely gluttonous with football, but the different brands attempt to put their best foot forward to capture our attention and pockets. Football is big business and companies pay millions of dollars to be a part of the spectacle. For the sports brands, the competition is to adorn the bodies - and feet - of the football players in the hope that, if my favourite player is wearing their brand, I will be more inclined to interact with it. Last world cup, in 2010 in South Africa, I posted on Nike Football...

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The TV Game Requires Skill (7)

Jul 1, 2010 |

The football player as TV analyst can be a fascinating experience. At a time when most of us are starting to create strong careers, most football players are starting new ones. After a lifetime of working towards playing at the highest level, they are dealing with a new world, learning new skills and find new ways of applying old skills. Other than becoming coaches, or fading into the background, many end up in the media, doing commentary or analysis on games. Click to read my thoughts on this trend .... [more in City Press]

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Nike Football vs Puma Football vs Adidas Football

May 24, 2010 |

It is football tournament season and one of the added joys of such periods, including Euro Cup, Africa Cup of Nations and, of course, the World Cup, is watching the sporting brands battle it out for our attention with elaborate, entertaining and inspiring adverts. Nike: Write The Future Nike just released its Write The Future ad with football stars including Drogba, Rooney, Ribery, Ronaldo and, ironically, Ronaldhino (who won't be making the World Cup). An edited version is being played on SA television but you have to see the full version for it to make sense....

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