Elco Santos FC Youth Development

Elco Santos FC was formed in June 2008 and situated at Tsakane in Ekurhuleni. The main Purpose for the formation of the team was to get Children out of the street, Secondly to help them to stay away from Danger of Drugs and alcohol. and Participated on Brakpan Local Football Associated League in 2008/2009 Season, were it again a promotion to Regional Promotional League which later in 2014 was Changed to SAB League. In 2013/2014 Season we can Position 4; In 2016/2017 was relegated due to Lack of Financial Support. The future is certainly looking bright for Elco Santos Football Club.

The Team is helping close to 103 Kids from very poor Background, some of them they even come to Training and games without anything to eat; we are also focusing on Social Development of these Kids. Our Youth Development it start with a player from the age of 9 and developing them to be a World Class Players

Elco Santos is Registered as an 095-303- NPO

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PLAN

“At a young age winning is not the most important thing... the important thing is to develop creative and skilled players with good confidence.”

Arsene Wenger, Manager, Arsenal FC

OBJECTIVES

Our key objective is to develop home grown talent capable of playing in the Club’s Development Structures and Later for First Team. But it’s not just about playing football. We want to ensure a rounded individual is produced who has personal, social, spiritual and academic qualities to match his talents on the ball.

The sense of nurturing and the ultimate welfare of the players are fore mostly provided by our coaches, a comprehensive medical team including physiotherapists, skills development assessors.

THE ULTIMATE GOAL:

To produce quality Players for the first team. It is difficult to predict whether a boy will reach the ultimate goal as physical, technical, tactical and psychological, development varies individually. However, we can recognize potential and give the boy the best opportunity to develop.

THE PRIMARY GOAL (to make football fun)

The football industry is primarily an entertainment industry. It makes sense then that if we are to develop our youth to provide fun and entertainment for the spectator, the boys must derive fun playing. We aim to increase their enjoyment of the game by:

- Improving techniques and understanding: Technical development is fundamental to all players up until the age category of 14 years. Physical development is concentrated on thereafter and as the player becomes more skillful in both technical and physical aspects so their enjoyment of the game increases.

- Improving teamwork: Another way we increase enjoyment of the game is through interaction with teammates with skillful and imaginative play, developing a style proudly unique to Elco Santos Football Club.

- Improving understanding of teamwork and the role of each position in the team. At the younger age groups, the boys play in a number of positions to improve their all round play and knowledge. It is not until a player’s physical and mental characteristics develop fully that their best position can be accurately identified. Each player chosen to present Elco Santos Development

Programme will:

- Represent the Club at all times, both on and off the pitch

- Attend training each week at specified times for coaching and development sessions with the very best coaches

- Play for the club in official kit at all league and cup matches

- Have the opportunity to participate in regional and national tournaments

- Spend time with and be influenced by people who are aiming or are already at the top of their professional careers.

MAKING A DREAM COME TRUE

High personal standards are required if the boys are to progress as players and as valuable members of the community in years to come.

The Development Programme strives to set these high standards in the following area:

Discipline

It is expected that the boys conduct themselves in the correct manner, showing respect to officials, supporters and opponents as we play hosts/guest from time to time and of course, both on and off the field. We demand the following:

- Strict adherence to timekeeping and dress codes

- Control of their own development process by continuously practicing techniques and skills learned

- Listening and concentrating while being instructed

- Teamwork – play as part of the team

- Maintenance of a healthy lifestyle by sticking to correct levels of training, rest and nutrition

- That a code of conduct be signed by both player and parent

Education

It is not only important for the individual player to complete his academic studies, but as an ambassador for Elco Santos and Higher level.

Letters will be sent to schools at the start of each season to inform them of each boy’s involvement with the club. The balance of a boy’s education and football programme is of paramount importance and as a Club we are always ready to listen to schools or parents when needed.

We also request that the parents submit school reports on a regular basis to the Development Programme. Should the player’s report reflect poor performance the Club reserves the right to suspend the player from the team until the situation has been rectified.

Social Interaction

The Development Programme encourages improvement in social interactions, attributes that will serve the player in all areas of his life.

- Communications skills

- Leadership skills

- Unselfishness

- Competitiveness

Health and Fitness

The Development Programme will Endeavour to provide guidance to both parents and boys on life skills such as:

- Nutrition Growth and development

- Procedures when injured

- Principles of training

- Hygiene

- Physical and mental health

- Safety

Although the boys will naturally have dreams of being a footballer, they may not reach this particular dream. They will however, benefit from the process involved by reaching for higher standards along the way.

Care and Welfare

The care and welfare of your boys is of paramount importance to us and it is the duty of every member of staff in our Development Programme to see that each individual player is treated according to his individual needs. The team coaches are supported by a medical team and club administration staff.

Injuries

- All injured/ill players must in all circumstances, report to the physiotherapist before taking part in any training session

- Any player who comes off during a match due to an injury must report to the physiotherapist

before the next training session

Rest

It is important that all the players have a balance between playing, training, school activities and rest. For the physical and mental development of the boys it is vital that they do not play or train if they are tired and have participated in any school games or activities that day.

Parents should support us in educating the players to be disciplined in the balance between playing and resting, school commitments and social activities.

5 OPERATIONAL PLANS

The Team consists of Board of Directors and Management

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Chief Executive Officer

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 Human Resource Officer

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 Marketing Officer Technical Director

Technical Team 

Team Manager

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 Senior Team Coach

 Under 17 Coach

 Under 15 Coach

Physiotherapist

6 FUNDING PURPOSE SPECIFIC AREAs

The key areas where we need assistance are:

- Youth Development EQUIPMENT

For more information contact me on [email protected]