We continued our training development with a number of players returning from various school extra curricular commitments. 

Although our primary role is to impart knowledge that leads to game competence such as new technical and tactical skills, game awareness and fitness, we have opted to move beyond purely developing game competence in our players. 

As coaches, there is a need for us to manage the psychological and social issues that arise at training and within teams. The fact that we only have limited time with players make it very challenging to deal with this aspect of things. Adolescence is a complicated and sometimes vulnerable stage in a player’s development. 

The real challenge for us as coaches is to build and develop character strengths concepts such as fairness, social intelligence, perseverance, optimism, forgiveness, self-regulation, leadership, resilience, teamwork, bravery creativity and love of learning. We therefore use positive psychology and a solution focussed approach in addressing complex individual and team issues as we see ourselves in a unique and privileged position to play a role in facilitating positive development in our players. We want to build character in our young players as well as game competence skills. 

See you on the field.

Cheers

Bragging rights on the line in Sydney Derby