In a lifetime we will meet many inspiring individuals, I wrote about one such person, Ewen Chatfield, last week. I have been privileged to have met and worked with a number of amazing people over the years. One such person is a fellow, originally from California, called Marty Schmidt. I met Marty in … [Read more...] about A model of inspiration and motivation
Training load and the growth spurt
At IFS, we’ll be monitoring individual training loads in relation to players and the ‘growth spurt’ phase (generally 10- 16 for girls, 12-18 for boys). Training load means the accumulation of purposeful practice. The number of practices per week + the intensity of the practice + the duration of a … [Read more...] about Training load and the growth spurt
Take your marks…get set…..go!
Now that IFS is a member of the CDSSA (Combined Districts School Sports Association) we've begun preparing for their next athletics event. This week Gavin and I have been running athletics trials and the students have welcomed the opportunity to try a sport other than football. Enthusiasm has been … [Read more...] about Take your marks…get set…..go!
Browny’s First Blog
The only time I have ever blogged before was on a 10 day tour to China with a group of 30 budding teenage footballers. The photos and trip info was all sent back to the Mariners website and while the feedback from the readers was all positive, my $900 international roaming bill was not received by … [Read more...] about Browny’s First Blog
Stupid things soccer commentators have actually said…
1. Well, it's Liverpool two, Ipswich nil, and if the score stays this way, I've got to fancy Liverpool for the win. 2. He had an eternity to play that ball, but took too long. 3. And so they have not been able to improve on their 100% record. 4. With the last kick of the game, he scored … [Read more...] about Stupid things soccer commentators have actually said…
That’s not maths!
Hi All, Well it's been a few weeks since I put pen to paper (finger to button). Our first two weeks back have been flat out. I have four new students in my class with another two coming soon, so firstly, a big welcome to those students and I am sure everyone will make them feel extremely … [Read more...] about That’s not maths!
Just One More
In the pursuit of 'worlds’ best practice' in the IFS football program, we are constantly looking for innovative ways to track the progress of our young footballers. Over the past week the coaches, working closely with Matt O’Neil, have been tinkering with a testing protocol to measure the … [Read more...] about Just One More
DOE has arrived
IFS is now officially registered to run the Duke of Edinburgh Award and I will be the main coordinator. The award will be available to all students (aged 14 years and over) and I'm confident the experience will have a positive impact on our young people. In an independent report the DOE Award was … [Read more...] about DOE has arrived
The IFS Advantage
Sometimes, if I have some quiet time and think about my past (which is not a good thing to do as you can't change it) I think about what would I do, where would I be and what would drive me to live my life if I did not become a footballer. Everything I experienced, every country I travelled and … [Read more...] about The IFS Advantage
Outliers: is this the beginning?
When you surround yourself with people whose personal drive is pure passion for life and desire for self improvement, you cannot help but be swept along on the wave of enthusiasm. In this past week I can recount many examples where my colleagues at IFS have blown me away. I'd like to share two … [Read more...] about Outliers: is this the beginning?