NATIONAL TEAM FOOTBALLERS TAKE TIME OUT TO ATTEND NIKE ELITE TRAINING II

Andile Jali and Moeneeb Josephs take time from their short return to the country, to attend the Nike Elite Training Programme II bringing inspiration to the most talented, aspiring young footballers

JOHANNESBURG, April 10th, 2010 – Following the success of the first Nike Elite Training programme earlier this year, Nike is currently hosting its second session with 125 young, aspiring footballers at Jeppe Boys High in Kensington.

The 3-day intense training workshop, which kicked off on Friday, is co-hosted with professional coaches and specialists who are training these young guns on improving the fundamentals of football, through a series of technical, mental, physical, tactical and life skills coaching. The drills and exercises, developed in conjunction with Barcelona and Juventus football clubs, and the Brasil federation, focus on control, accuracy and speed. The life skills coaching include fitness, nutrition and HIV/Aids awareness, with on-site voluntary testing and counseling.

“The set up of the Nike Elite Training programme is proving to be a serious step up in youth development. After attending the first programme earlier this year with some of these young players, I can see a definite change in their play. They are showing improved skills and determination,” said Moeneeb Josephs.

The first Elite Training programme kicked off with over 200 footballers registering for the 3-day event. However with Elite Training II, only 120 footballers were invited to register, as they proved to be highly skilled, competitive and determined to earn a top spot in a professional club, and even the national team, in time for 2014. These youngsters are aged between 16 and 19 years.

The core team of football coaches and specialists include: Shaun Bartlett, Linda Buthalezi, Roger de Sa, Harold Legodi, Fani Madida, Tebogo Moloi and Eric Tinkler, and professional fitness and life skills coach Elsa Storm.