MAX IN DEMAND
Southgate: Youngsters’ progress has been hit hard by pandemic
ENGLAND boss Gareth Southgate fears the past year could result in a lost generation of talent.
He expressed concern that the “full impact” of lockdown on future Three Lions stars, grassroots football, academies and young players may never truly be discovered.
But he is backing the FA’s Mutual Respect campaign and tie-up with Nationwide to engage with grassroots football and recognise the importance of coaches, parents and referees to get the sport back on track after the pandemic.
“In terms of player development, we won’t know the full impact but at certain ages, to have a six-month hiatus can have a really high impact,” said Southgate. “You’re talking about boys and decisions on taking them as scholars and full-time professionals.
“There’s often late developers who might have emerged. There’s always stories of one boy who was the last pick to become a trainee or to become a pro who goes on to achieve the most.
“Then there are kids missing out on fundamental skill development at five-tonine age groups where they’ve just not been able to play with other kids.
“They might have been able to practise skills on their own or in the garden. But they’ve not been able to practise with others. That’s a concern. It’s time they won’t get back.
“We might never know the full impact of that.
“But without a doubt, the last year would have affected the opportunities for some kids to play through nobody’s fault really. We often think about grassroots football as the vehicle for finding the next Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane, whoever it might be.
“But the reality is it’s so much bigger than that. Most kids just want to play and have fun. They want to be with their friends.
“We’re not just talking about developing them as footballers – we’re talking about developing them as people. Very often a football coach will be possibly the most important influence in a young person’s life.”
Southgate gave the first Nationwide Mutual Respect award to two volunteers – Tina Jacobs and Dan Weston – who are coaches to 150 disabled children in Hampshire and youngsters in Sussex respectively.
■ NATIONWIDE & the Football Association has pledged to ensure one million parents and coaches engage with the FA Respect campaign over the next three years. The Nationwide Mutual Respect Award, as part of the FA’s Respect Campaign, aims to help make grassroots football more respectful and positive. The brand-new award recognises outstanding contributions, achievements and behaviour in grassroots football across the country by young players under the age of 18, coaches, teams, parents and referees.
EVERTON are planning a summer swoop for highly-rated Norwich defender Max Aarons.
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