BEGINNING today until Saturday August 16, Ballaz Academy will host an intensive Dutch football camp at Jamaica College.

Four coaches from the Dutch Soccer School arrived in the island on Saturday and are eager to begin working with the youth. Lead coach Roy Wilhelm has a wealth of experience in professional football. He was a coach for pro club Willem II for eight years, and has been working with PSV Eindhoven for 14 years.

Roy, who has a Dutch coaching badge, was involved in professional youth football for more than 25 years. He has directed camps in the USA, Central and South America, since 1989. He is currently with Willem ll as director of scouting and recruiting for the Academy. Wilhelm scouted Ballaz Director Andre Virtue when he was 14 years old and hosted him in the Netherlands on a stint at PSV Eindhoven.

Partnering with Ballaz in this venture are: HiLyte, Lifespan Water, Main Event, Capri Sun, Complete Marketing Solutions and JB Reggae Jammin.

Goals for the Camp:

1. Teaching technical and tactical drills for advanced youth players — addressing the technical foundation of each player.

2. Teaching them to do, when to do it and how to do it at the speed technically required by the modern game. Thinking the game — playing smart.

3. Emphasis on small-sided games so that players experience a training environment that replicates the real game.

4. Thorough assessment and evaluation of the players — quickness, technical ability, tactical awareness, attitude. Where am I and what do I do to improve?

Other areas targeted:

* TECHNIQUE: Too many players are rarely, if ever, taught even the most rudimentary techniques and are able to achieve moderate success through shortcuts such as physical prowess. Neglecting technique prevents players from reaching the highest level their potential allows.

* ATTITUDE: A young player’s attitude towards learning and improvement and towards the competitive game as a whole is essential in ensuring his success as a student of the game. Attitude will help the player achieve his goals. Similarly, a poor attitude will prevent or work against this progress.

* BALANCE: Many players are focused too much on one or two aspects of the game. This all-round soccer/football education allows players to enhance, develop and exploit their natural qualities, yet also develop other aspects. For example, a player who is simply fast and athletic will need to develop his technical speed.

* SPEED: We don’t just mean physical speed. Technical speed on and off the ball and speed of decision-making and reading the game are important attributes.