During the last few months we have had several players that have succeeded training and playing at professional clubs in Europe. We have sent 10 players over to Fleetwood Town in England and in addition we have two other players at AC Perugia (Italy) and FC Malaga (Spain).
One of the players currently at Fleetwood is now being considered for opportunities with the U18 academy team and now the club are working on how they can keep the player training at the club with a view to offering them a professional contract at 18. Another player currently training at Fleetwood will be going on trial with Fleetwood Town's partner club in Portugal at the end of this month.
I just wanted to say thank you for bringing this opportunity too me. It’s been going very well so far, as you know I extended my stay until December. We played the U18s academy today and we beat them 3-1. The coaching staff told me today they will be giving me the opportunity to go to Portugal and trial with C.F. Estrela da Amadora at the end of October. So I just want to say thank you
So, how have these players been able to successfully transition from playing in North America to successfully competing in Europe? It is quite simple, they have done the work!
Academy players at professional clubs in Europe train 12+ hours/week (plus play games) after age 12. It is not possible for players in North America close this training gap - unless they are prepared to complete an intensive individual training program.
That is what all these players have done. They have trained with their club teams, attending supplemental training session with me and been very active participants in my live zoom training sessions each week. They have also competed the individual player training that I post online each week on our 360 training APP.
As I mentioned during a recent zoom presentation, based on my analysis of all the players that I have worked with there has been a common 5 step process that they all have followed:
1) They defined their vision and set clear goals
2) They completed our benchmark performance testing program and had a clear understanding of the performance levels required
3) They worked hard to close the performance gaps! (Most significant factor in their success)
4) They relentlessly pursued a pathway to professional football through their daily habits
5) They have had the stamina of motivation to pursue their goal over a sustained period of time