Nike fast tracking next generation of footballers

Nike has been at the forefront of football development in South Africa, and continues to unearth and fast track talented young footballers as a result of its Elite Training Programmes.

Having recently held a series of regional open football trials around the country, Nike will be hosting the final of the Elite Training Programme from December 14 to 15, at its world-class Nike Football Training Centre in Soweto.

Nike’s Elite Training is an intensive training programme facilitated by an established team of high caliber football coaches and specialists including Shaun Bartlett and Eric Tinkler.  They are supported by local coaches from Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg, where trials were recently held.

The trials were an opportunity for young football players to demonstrate their ability and in the process grab the attention of the core coaching squad.  In all, 56 young players were selected to the final training programme in Johannesburg this week.

These footballers will be put through a high intensity two-day training programme using Nike’s Sparq training technology, a GPS programme that monitors speed, agility, power, reaction and endurance. This platform offers the young footballers an opportunity to impress, undergoing key football drills and exercises as well as partaking in small-sided games under the watchful eyes of the core coaching staff, and a select number of scouts from local and national levels of the game.

At the end of the two-day programme each player will receive a report highlighting their strengths, and areas they need to work on.  This report will also serve to further assist them when attending professional club trials in the near future.

All 56 young players will also be involved in Nike’s Grassroot soccer programme which includes an emphasis on HIV/AIDS awareness, education and testing.

Special guests including head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns, Johan Neeskens will address the players at the opening ceremony on Tuesday night, while they will receive training tips from pro-footballers in the National team and PSL during the first session on Wednesday.

The four finalists of Nike’s The Chance Trials, of which two won a year-long contract at the Nike Academy in the UK, will also be making a special appearance, and give an update on having played against some of the best international clubs thus far.

Elite Training will conclude with the announcement of the best four players from the final trial who will be given an exclusive opportunity to train with Premier Soccer League outfits Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits.

Nike have once again proved their commitment and dedication to growing football in South Africa by securing 56 of the most talented young footballers and giving them the opportunity to fulfil their undoubted potential.

“Nike’s football training programmes serve to unearth and fast track talented young footballers, and create a new generation for the talent pool, which should give the national selectors and professional structures more options”, says Seruscka Naidoo, Nike Communications Manager South Africa.