Flybe George Best Excellence Programme
FLYBE GEORGE BEST EXCELLENCE PROGRAMME
The IFA’s Youth Strategy identified the importance of developing the best young talent in the country in order to increase the supply of elite players through to the Youth and Senior International teams.
It is now recognised that it has become increasingly difficult for our players to obtain contracts with English clubs due to the increasing numbers of young foreign players in England. It is vital for the success of our International teams that more Northern Ireland players are playing at the highest level inEngland, and in order to improve the likelihood of this happening the Youth Strategy proposed the establishment of an Excellence Programme for U12 to U15 boys.
This was to be County based with the appointment of a full-time coach at each of the six County Excellence Centres. The Youth Strategy also recognised the need to develop a similar programme for our best young girl players.
Six highly qualified coaches have been appointed and are currently implementing the Excellence Programme at the County Excellence Centres.
Pascal Vaudequin is the coach for County Antrim and is based at the Ulster University Jordanstown. Ray Alexander is coach for Down and is based at Queen’s University sports grounds. Steven Millar is the Armagh coach based at Craigavon Leisure Centre. Christophe Moulin is the Fermanagh coach based at the Bawnacre Leisure Centre, Irvinestown. Paul Kee is the Tyrone coach based at the Mid Ulster Sports Arena, Cookstown. Iam McFaul is the Derry coach, based at St Columb’s Park.
The six Flybe Excellence Centres have 25 boys at each of the four age groups. This means that during each year a total of 600 boys will be selected to participate in the programme, and these should be the best in their age group. Initially a smaller number of girls will be involved in the Excellence Programme, but the numbers will increase as the quality improves.
The support of the Youth Leagues and Boys’ Clubs is important for the success of the programme. The County Coaches have been engaged in setting up meetings to which League and Club representatives have been invited to hear presentations about the nature and detail of the Excellence Programme. Parents have also been invited to presentations so that they have a clear understanding of what is involved in the programme and how they as parents can provide positive support for their son or daughter.
The Flybe Excellence Programme will focus on the technical and tactical development of the young players. It will be based around the Long Term Player Development model which ensures consideration is given to the appropriateness of the coaching content in relation to the developmental stages of the young player. As the focus of the Excellence Programme is on the development of the young talented individual, there is less stress placed upon competitive match play as part of the Excellence Programme. There will be a limited number of inter-county games played at each age group as part of the monitoring process of the players.
However the players will continue to be involved in competitive match play with their own clubs, and the County Performance Coaches will monitor their development when watching these games or when they play for their school team.
The Flybe Excellence Programme has developed a link with the Performance Section of the Ulster University Jordanstown Sports’ Department who will provide the Conditioning Programme for the young players and monitor their progress. We feel that many of our talented players need this additional support within the Programme to ensure they are strong and fast enough to compete with the best players from other countries.
To help our players become better educated about all aspects of lifestyle that can impact on the development of the young player, a Lifestyle Pack is be provided to each of them and includes relevant detail on many issues including diet. Parents should also find this Pack helpful in supporting their son or daughter.
By adding the Conditioning and Educational components to the Technical aspect of the Programme, we believe we are providing our top young boys and girls with the best preparation possible to achieve their full potential.
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