"I think it’s great that they’re giving back to the community and especially if it’s something they want to start, like, building a rapport here, I think it’s a good idea they’re giving back.”
KellyParent
"It’s sounds pretty exciting. The level of play over in Europe is definitely higher than here in the United States, so we want to see what they have to offer.”
DebraParent
"The French have a proven track record of developing top class coaches and always seem to have a constant stream of talented young players coming up through their league structure before being sold to the World’s top clubs."
Dave RowaanSoccer journalist (Soccer Canada)
"Youth sport development – Could we learn some lessons from the French soccer development process? Here is some food for thought. This transcends soccer! • Emphasis on experimentation and creativity not matches • Access to top coaches • Value on unstructured play • 7 year olds play no format larger than 5V5 • No child slotted into one position until teenage years • Individual technique emphasized through age 16 over tactics • Coaches need to be quality demonstrators • Yelling at players not tolerated • All training must be fun"
Vern GambettaDirector of Gambetta Sports Training Systems
"I’ve noticed how in-depth and how comprehensively the French think about what they’re doing. Can we see ourselves as educators, rather than coaches? In other words: not playing to win on the weekend but developing the player to win in the future and to become a professional."
John WolyniecNew York MetroStars/Red Bulls forward, reserve team coach and player development coordinator
"The idea was to focus on who’s coaching the coaches. We decided to go to the source. The French Football Federation really revolutionized player development in Europe. It’s about creating intelligent players. It’s about teaching the coaches how to set that up, how to do that."
