Week Two Training Kicks Off

Following a hard week of fitness and testing the lads got out on the pitch this week to start the training Programme with James Ward, course Leader and BWFC coach.

All the team were in good spirits and were please to get out with a ball to show their skills.

A fantastic team spirit has already developed with the group, which is key to their individual and group development over the duration of the course.

Well done lads!

Bolton V Manchester United

All the team on the edukick England Year long football studies programme got to see their first live premiership game at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton. And what a great start to watch Manchester United visit the Reebok. it was a great game with Bolton taking the lead early in the game and Manchester United just holding on for a 2 - 2 draw in the game.

this was a great result for Bolton who are now gaining momentum in the Premier league, meaning it will be a great season for the lads to follow the team.

All the team attending in the Edukick/BWFC tracksuits and looked smart as they were accompanied into the stadium by Stuart our welfare officer.

Lets hope Bolton can keep these results up.

A good Start to the Fixtures

Thursday saw the debut game for our Edukick England/BWFC international academy. On a very wet afternoon in Bolton the team hosted a touring team from Sydney, Australia as their first development game.

This was for the most of the group the first time they had actually played football in the UK, as previously this week it has been testing and fitness to prepare them for the season ahead.

it was also a chance to show Dave, international soccer schools manager, how they can play.

The aim of the development games s to put into practice the work in training and work on individual and team development, whatever the result. Dave had focused in the build up on quick one and two touch football, tempo of the players and attitude.

A all the lads showed a great understanding of this and performed well in this first test, finishing with a 1 - 1 draw, Ramsay getting our first goal of the season, and receiving praise from the opposing team who could not believe they had only met each other 3 days prior.

Well done lads, keep this up through the season.

A full match report will be published during next week to follow the progress of the team.

Meni Gets another chance with Preston.

Meni, one of our students returning from the 2009 - 2010 season, has been given further opportunities to perform and showcase himself at the highest level. During the final term of last year Meni, along with 4 other players, were invited to train with Championship club Preston North End. During the time these lads impressed the coaches, however after returning for the final part of his time with us Meni has been asked to continue training, and this week has had the chance to train with the Preston youth team, with the head of youth development watching on.

It's a great achievement and fantastic experience for Meni and any player, and lets hope Meni can impress. He will return to training again this evening and continue this over the coming week.

During closed season Meni had a busy time trialing with a few semi professional clubs in the Uk, Welling & Wimbledon, and being offered places at both, however Meni made the decision to return up North to Bolton and give it a shot at a northwest club.

Well done Meni!

Day One 2010/2011

It's day one here in Bolton on the Edukick England & BWFC year long football studies programme. 14 of our new arrivals have started this morning on the induction week, with a further 4 or 6 to join in the coming weeks.

It's been a great day so far, we have a fantastic group of young people and are set for a good year.

Today the start of the full induction week has taken place, with the course information, kit, rules and guidance all being distributed.

Following what was long morning session in the Reebok stadium, the lads have had the first taste of the fitness required to play at a high level in England with their first fitness testing sessions on the track with Dave and Matt.

It's going to be a hard, but rewarding year for them all.