FIRESIDE CHAT
Jason deVos (Canada Soccer Association Development Director)
Mark O'Sullivan (AIK coach and player development and education)
Jason and Mark discuss the why, what and how of changes in approach to player development they are introducing at club level in Sweden and on a national scale in Canada
- Key steps to stabilising and connecting grassroots, college and pro soccer post-Development Academy
- Identifying the key developments needed to drive a thriving and supportive soccer ecosystem
14.40 INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION: How Technology and Big Data Can Support More Efficient Talent ID and Recruitment
FIRESIDE CHAT
Tom Sermanni (New Zealand Women's Head Coach)
Rhian Wilkinson (England Women's Assistant Coach)
Former USWNT head coach Tom Sermanni in conversation with Rhian Wilkinson discussing the role of assistant coaches, how they are viewed by players, the coach pathway in women's soccer, adapting to different roles, and managing players and support teams.
12.45 INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION: Drawing context from the game to develop individual player skills and decision making
- Focusing on position specific scanning, movement and action
- Identifying physical and technical skills required to win one-on-one duels
Jan van Loon (Head of Coaching - FC Utrecht)
Thomas Harris (Assistant Academy Director - North Carolina FC)
12.40 INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION: How player development is evolving to meet the needs of the digital generation
FIRESIDE CHAT
Tom Byer (Soccer Starts At Home)
Author and coach Tom Byer discusses why he believes soccer should start at home with ball mastery from the ages of 2-5, and the science associated with this which suggests advantages to learning, cognitive growth and the parent/child relationship.