INTERNATIONAL
Soccer School News

Congratulations to Christopher McCoy who has earned April’s Player of the Month for EduKick Manchester.

Throughout the program Chris has been worked hard both on and off the field. In the last few months on the pitch he has become a very accomplished center back, taking on the role of a leader, helping some of the younger players through their game and leading by example.

“Chris is a pleasure to coach,” say the MCFC coaches. In and around the school he is one of the most polite and mature young men we have, with a mind focused on his football progression.

Well done, Chris. Great work and keep up the momentum!

Yet another soccer success story from EduKick Madrid!

Duncan McCormick, age 17, from Seattle, Washington, spent the 2010/11 season at the EduKick Madrid Academy.

Since returning home, Duncan has been part of the Seattle Sounders Academy (MLS franchise) and this past season has become a regular starter for the U18 Squad as well as participating in a number of senior men’s squad reserve team games.

My time spent with EduKick Madrid made me a much more well rounded player and person on and off the field. I give much of the credit for my recent success to those who in Madrid who helped me develop my skills.

Training at an elite level every day in Madrid has prepared me for the future and it couldn’t have been with a better group people. -Duncan McCormick

Duncan has also had the opportunity, recently, to play on a number of occasions,with the senior men’s squad first team.

The highlight for Duncan was last September when he played for the reserve team, in front of 15,000 spectators, when the Sounders took on their rivals – the Portland Timbers!

Congratulations to Duncan, who has just announced that he has accepted an offer to play soccer at Wake Forest University from the fall of 2014.

Experience the language, football, and cultural experience of a lifetime!
Contact EduKick for more information at 866.338.5425. or internationally at 001.905.469-5661

As soccer (Football) has grown in popularity and truly established itself as the one truly global sport, the need for intercultural competence has increased.

One of the most important parts of this personal development is language acquisition or education, but upon becoming a professional soccer player that may not always be practical!

Ten years ago, when asked if he was learning English three years into his stint in England, Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires admitted with embarrassment that he had not.

I’d really like to learn, but in three years, I haven’t found the time. I had lessons at the beginning, but when you play so often, it’s not easy to concentrate on learning, but I know it’s a mistake. - Robert Pires

EduKick International Football Academies (EIFA) wisely makes language learning a core value of its soccer & education academies around the world. EIFA believes that learning the language of the country – becoming more inter-culturally competent – where you are playing is an integral part of the soccer training and development in that particular country.

EduKick’s Mission Statement is clear:

…to teach, inspire and create the best technical footballers possible and create international students with inter-cultural competence (ICC) enabling them to compete in the modern competitive world.

The time to overcome the language barrier is while you are still developing!

Here are some tips that Edukick International Football Academies provides all of its program participants with when they arrive that you will find useful:

1. Speak slowly and clearly – whether you’re using the language of your host country or your native tongue.

2. Don’t be Shy - It is essential that one not be shy when attempting to learn a language. Don’t be afraid to speak in the foreign language and make mistakes. Mistakes are important because as you are corrected you will learn.

3. Remember (and repeat) what you hear – The best way to learn a language (and gain intercultural competence) is through total immersion – or being completely surrounded by it. So listen to the locals speaking the new language and try to repeat and copy them.

4. Avoid idioms, clichés, and jargon – Try not to use phrases that are local to your home country as they may not translate appropriately.

5. Be calendar smart- start your language education with learning time and date related words to avoid scheduling confusion.

6. Watch body language – So much can be learned from watching the eyes, hands, and facial expressions. Be confident and go with your gut if you don’t really know what’s being said – and remember to clarify.

7. Be patient – learning a new language and culture takes time. Rome was not built in one day. Enjoy the process of learning a new language and becoming bi-lingual, it’s fun and will distinguish you from others.

On the soccer pitch – it’s been said that football is a universal language. So, when you’re on the pitch with a mixture of players from different cultures – simply enjoy together playing the beautiful game.

Experience the language, football, and cultural experience of a lifetime!
Contact EduKick for more information at 866.338.5425. or internationally at 001.905.469-5661

At Stockport College, the EduKick Manchester Team was defeated 4-1, but the score does not do justice to the players’performance.

In the first half, they were comfortable and by far the better footballing team. The passing and support sessions practiced in training on Tuesday proved successful.

The midfield with Zac, Emilio, and Quinn was strong, with Fernando and Anirudh working hard to create space. The Home side took the lead, but some great link-up play and a fantastic streak from Anirudh got Edukick back in the game for 2-1 at the break.

The second half showed the visiting team still the better soccer players, but were prevented from breaking through to get on top.

Edukick tried to go for the equalizer gaps at the back, letting the Home side in to get to further goals. Some great saves from Eric in the goal prevented worse damage.

The final whistle at 4-1 was not a deserved score on either side. But the positives for the Away Team were great.

Anirudh had a great game, showing his strength and skill. Quinn, Zac and Emilios linked in well in the middle, and Fernando continued to work hard and look lively up front, and Eric worked hard towards the end of the game and showed his ability at shot stopping.

We have lots of positives to take into the next game!

Working toward your goal of becoming the best student-player you can be? Contact EduKick for more information at 866.338.5425. or internationally at 001.905.469-5661

Mike Haughton commented on the boys at the end: “We were the better team and should never of been beaten but for short spells in the game where we switch off.

At themes, for 10 -15 minute intervals we play great football, work hard as a team and individually to do our jobs, but then we switch off.

We need to look at that work for the full 90 minutes and it’s something we can work on in training. Lots of positives to go away with.”

Quinn, one of the youngest players on the program for the 2012-2013 season, has secured a trial at Preston North End.

Preston, the League One side and founding member of the football league in the UK works closely with Edukick England. Quinn is the first player of the 2012-2013 season to be recommended to the club and have the opportunity to trial out in the club’s academy.

Joining the U16′s day release squad, Quinn will spend the next few Wednesdays with the team during their sessions and be put through his paces with the PNE coaches.

“It’s a great experience to be able to play with the academy and be able to challenge myself and level myself against these players,” Quinn commented after his first session.