Foundation phase attend the Manchester Easter Cup
The academy foundation phase teams attended the Manchester Easter Cup tournament over the Easter weekend and coach Ben Benson reports they had a very enjoyable time.
“We see tournaments as a great opportunity to further develop the knowledge our players have of our playing philosophy, and it also helps to develop certain social aspects, including team work,” he explained.
“It's a competitive tournament, as opposed to a festival, so of course our players want to do well. There is no pressure from the staff to win and all we are looking for is for them to try new and existing skills, as well as try to link what they’re doing in training with what they do out on the pitch.
“We are firm believers that results will look after themselves if we apply the skills we’re working on week in and week out.”
“On the results front, one of our under-9 teams reached the semi-final and the other under-9 side lost out on a place in the semis on goal difference,” he told us. “Our under-11 team went into their final group game with a chance of progressing, but that one ended in defeat.
“It was good news for our under-10 team who came out as the winners of their age group tournament.”
“For some of our players it was their first experience of entering a tournament as an academy player,” he said. “That brings its own internal pressures and, with this in mind, we were delighted with their approach. All the players were a fantastic credit to the football club, as were the parents and staff.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the players and parents for attending the tournament, and we are now looking forward to the final few games of the academy season.”