Courtesy: The FA.com

Surprise, surprise

By Graeme Dell

Monday, 18 June 2007

After another busy two weeks, Graeme reveals his hopes for continuing the progress and development in the national standard of Futsal.

Hi again,

There seems to have been so much happening lately I don’t know where to begin.

After naming an FA Select XI at the Grassroots Show to take on London White Bear and Ipswich Wolves ten days ago, I was again asking myself if Futsal will ever fail to surprise me.

For those who came to the Ricoh and watched, I can only apologise!

In the first game against White Bear, I felt that neither team reflected where we would expect the standard to be. It was evident that very few of the trialists had played much Futsal at a decent level before, but they didn’t display the basic skills which had enticed me to look at them. Maybe it was stage fright or other factors but in this game you can’t afford ‘off’ days - a lesson they will have to learn fast.

All in all I was very frustrated boarding the coach that night, knowing that they were capable of much more as I had seen them demonstrate as much in technical sessions prior to the game. I was particularly disappointed that neither team had given a good advert of what Futsal is about which is key to promoting it to that wider audience.

Having got back to Lilleshall we were straight off the coach and in to a video analysis session which seemed to open a few eyes – for some it was their first experience of this type of in depth analysis but nonetheless enhanced their England ‘experience’.

I went to bed thinking that miracles only take place in the bible, but the game of Futsal turned up yet another surprise. Despite being trialists, the players approach was first class and on Sunday I saw what I knew was there - but it was like we had woken to a totally different group of players!

Our opposition from Ipswich on the Sunday were probably the best domestic Futsal team I have seen play since we started the game in England. I can only describe it as a magnificent game between us. They have some great technical players, players who play with intricacy, competence and passion but who play real Futsal with pace and movement which is very much in their Portuguese upbringing. Something I have seen very little of in our leagues so far.

For me, our performance on Sunday ranks as one of the best I have seen an F30 Group demonstrate against, albeit a club team, a team who were better than either Latvia or Bulgaria whom we miserably lost to in January.

Those who came to Lilleshall to watch were treated to a real feast of fast paced end to end action, tactical delivery and exciting Futsal, just the way it should be played.

Players need to be given responsibility, to feel that they have to deliver and make use of the time and effort invested in them to make them better. In many ways attitude is more important than ability and the turnaround in performance shows that this group has the attitude I’m looking for.

In my quest to find the best technical and conditioned players I have a hunger, it’s a hunger with a fair but ruthless streak. I would hope that’s always been respected as I give it straight, and tell it the way it is. I find it easy to tell players their time is up, I know I have to find better and consequently the Programme will be stronger.

Performances like those on Sunday ease the disappointment I share with those players who I’ve let go over time.

Whilst taking a very ‘hands on’ approach as a head coach I also place great faith in my team of staff, in their knowledge of Futsal and their ability to see talent. I let them do their jobs the way they feel best suits the Programme but in a way which also helps them develop as professional individuals. They have got to know me over the years better than anyone, my work ethic - which has to be shared everyone - how much I like innovation and that we are here to serve the players and get the best out of them.

At the end of a long season I felt especially happy as they have given so much with little recognition and at last we are all hoping that with this latest group there might be some light at the end of the tunnel.

Having shared the facility at the weekend with the England women’s deaf team who are preparing for their World Championships in Bulgaria later this year, I also spent time watching them train and play. It’s a very different game that they play, but it’s all relative and a number of the girls are very capable Futsal players.

I was then up at Keele on Tuesday evening to support and help deliver the Futsal module to the 66 new Skills Coaches we have just employed. They are full of enthusiasm and took to the game immediately, seeing how the difference of the ball and the game conditioning helps serve the technical and tactical development of young football and Futsal players.

When you introduce Futsal to a group of adults who have grown up with conventional 5-a-side and see the immediate impact on them it makes me realise how outdated 5-a-side really is and why we have to promote Futsal.

These coaches will be dealing with the skill aquisiation and development of the 5-11 year olds when they get out in the field and the knowledge that they’ll be given over the coming weeks on their training will be second to none. But that’s just the start, the challenge for them now is to go out and implement what they learn. Futsal is one of a number of tools we’ve identified which they will use to develop the skills in young players and I wish them all the best of luck.

Job satisfaction is key in any walk of life. You have to love your job, that’s always been my ethos and I hope that came across to them. But It’s strange you know, when you love doing a particular job it’s rare that you sit up and realise that people take note from a far of what you actually do.

I was a guest at the glitzy British Universities Sports Association Annual Awards dinner in Westminster last Thursday hosted by BBC’s John Inverdale and was flattered to be honoured for my contribution to University Sport over the past 20 years.

I was awarded an Honorary Life Membership of BUSA in recognition of my contribution to university sport and the evening made me very proud when I sat and considered who was recognised alongside me. Lynda Daley, an extremely accomplished and nationally recognised physiotherapist having worked on three Olympic Games, countless Commonwealth and World University Games and Dr Guy Jackson, National Academy Manager of the ECB Development Centre at Loughborough.

I get tired when people say they hate their job. Life’s about choices and being unhappy in the place you spend so much time shouldn’t be one of them so I’m delighted to be enexpectedly recognised for contributing whilst doing something I enjoy.

Well that was a manic fortnight but one which ended on a personal high. I’ll have to wait and see what else is in store over the coming weeks. Take care for now.

Graeme.




Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com