As the school holiday nears its end this week, Julinho Athletic Football Club has continued as normal with their training programme every week.
Some players, during the school holidays, take time off and travel to various destinations around the country, but for the formidable competitor, they continue as normal. The club’s technical director, Ricky Averia, said, “Obviously, the numbers will be lower during this time, but they will continue for those who are committed.” “We believe most of a player’s development occurs during training. So, we have to take into consideration the players who are committed and are willing to put in the extra hours,” he said.
Julinho Sporting and Athletic Club Football Academy merged last year to Julinho Athletic Football Club (JAFC), a transition that has been a steady process and is still as exciting as initially anticipated. “The name change is still getting used to by players and parents alike. The main thing is that our academy players are slowly realising the possibilities and opportunities the merger offers in terms of their football journey,” Averia said.
“I am very pleased with the way all our youth age groups are doing and performing. Beyond results, it is clear that the academy has a philosophy and identity of play which offers our players the best chances to learn the game. This is evident right through all our age groups. It is all down to the coaching staff we have in the academy, who believe in our philosophy and principles of youth football development.”
“JAFC has so far participated in the SKW and DTS tournaments. We also participated in this year’s U/17 VisionView Easter Cup of Champions in Johannesburg against some of the best professional academies in South Africa. Our performance was successful enough to gain an invite for next year. Our U/14 team are leaving in July for Europe to participate in the Gothia Cup in Sweden as well as the DANA Cup in Denmark. We are also embarking on a great trek in October, where we will also be competing in this year’s Kapstadt Cup in Cape Town, competing in six age groups,” he pointed out.
Averia said competing in these international tournaments forms an integral part of our football development program, where they expose the players to different levels and football cultures. “We want to be successful in all age groups, but always within our philosophy and principles of play, our DNA.”
The club is also hard at work to host their first-ever tournament since merging both clubs, as they have done in previous years. “We have an awesome tournament organising committee made up of parents who are volunteering their time to make sure of an amazing tournament to close off the year.”
Averia made a clarion call to his players, parents and scouts: “To the players, respect the training, honour the commitment and cherish the results.
To the parents: Enjoy your players’ football journey with them.
To the scouts: Talent will take the player far. However, it will be the players’ character that will take them further.”
-slunyangwe@nepc.com.na