Posts Tagged ‘football’

Interest In Kids’ Soccer

Saturday, September 4th, 2010

Soccer is a team sport that is an excellent addition to a child’s life, so it’s great when your son or daughter says they want to play. Certainly, it may mean some extra work on your part, driving the child to and from practice, going to games and all of that, but also it means that your son or daughter is about to embark on a very significant experience that will greatly affect the rest of their life. Sports can teach children how to work well with others in a team environment, how to strategize and how to coordinate their particular special talents with those of others around them.

Encouraging your child to have fun and continue with the sport even when things get a bit rough is part of a parent’s job, so here are some tips on how to keep things fun and interesting for them. The first thing to keep in mind is that you want to be supportive, but not overbearing. If it is possible, try to attend as many practices as you can, but take note of whether or not you are distracting your son or daughter from what they need to do. Chances are you’ll still get your bonding time with them when they want to tell you all about what happened at practice afterwards.

Also be aware of yourself and the image you are portraying to your kids and their friends when you do watch the games or practices. Letting your child or their friends see you yelling and swearing at a ref or at the team in general for a bad play will not help anybody.

Probably the most important thing that a parent, coach, or any other adult involved with the game experience can do is to make sure that all corrections or advice given to the child to help their game is done in a positive manner. Yelling at a kid because they don’t kick, trap or head the ball correctly will only serve to reduce their own self confidence in their abilities. Keep their minds as engaged as possible and they will gain more muscle control and continue to be interested in what they are doing.

Helping them practice it on their own is a great way to encourage them without tearing them down. Demonstrate how to kick, trap or head the ball, and tell them why it is important to do so; with positive reinforcement they will learn very quickly.

This website will give you more information: Soccer for kids

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South African World Cup Stadiums

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

The 2010 FIFA World Cup is awaited by the entire world. South Africa has emerges as the host for the 2010 world cup after a lot of debate, bidding and voting.. South Africa and Mexico are the first in line on the 2010 soccer calender being the first teams to compete.Many forecast that it would certainly be likely for the final world cup winners football game to have an African country involved however this is yet to be seen. Many may not have time to follow the whole tournament, so if you’re wondering what sort of world-class stadiums our favorite teams will be doing their soccer tricks. Well South Africa really took to heart their being the 2010 hosts and over the years constructed five totally new stunning stadiums.Here’s a peek for all you ‘soccerholics’:

*Moses Mabhida Stadium- constructed on the site of the former Kings Park Soccer Stadium, this teflon-coated, glass-fibre roofed stadium was officially opened on November 2009.

Capacity: 70,000 Location: Durban Design: looks like the South African flag from an ariel view.The legs of the arch join which signifies the uniting of the formally devided country.This arch has a staggering height of 347 ft at the  highest point. The roof glows when under light.
* Green Point Stadium- was demolished in 2007 and reconstructed for the FIFA World Cup in 2009.Scheduled to host six first-round matches, one second-round, one quarter-final and one semifinal match.

Capacity:70,000 Location: Cape Town Design: has a noise-reducing exterior cladding and is situated very near the ocean and has the mountains as a the backdrop. Has a retractable glass roof weighing 4,500-tons.

* Mbombela Stadium- derived from “Mbombela” which is the  siSwati word for  “many people together in a small space.” Capacity: 40,000 Location:Nelspruit Design:  a very ‘wild’ looking stadium which gets inspiration from the many surrounding national parks. * Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium-Will be hosting five first round matches, one second round, one quarter final and the third place playoff. Name taken from the municipality name not the x-president Nelson Mandela.

Capacity: 50 000  Location:Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth  Design:a very beautiful looking stadium. Also named ‘the sunflower’ because of it’s unique structures.

* Soccer City Stadium- scheduled to hold all the main events both the opening and final match. The largest stadium in Africa.

Capacity:94,500 Location: Johannesburg  Design:gets its design from an African Pot or calabash.

This years Cup is one to go in the books with all these great stadiums. Doesn’t it just makes you want to book the next flight straight to the heart of Africa?

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Interest In Kids’ Soccer

Saturday, August 7th, 2010

Soccer is a team sport that is an excellent addition to a child’s life, so it’s great when your son or daughter says they want to play. Certainly, it may mean some extra work on your part, driving the child to and from practice, going to games and all of that, but also it means that your son or daughter is about to embark on a very significant experience that will greatly affect the rest of their life. Sports can teach children how to work well with others in a team environment, how to strategize and how to coordinate their particular special talents with those of others around them.

Encouraging your child to have fun and continue with the sport even when things get a bit rough is part of a parent’s job, so here are some tips on how to keep things fun and interesting for them. The first thing to keep in mind is that you want to be supportive, but not overbearing. If it is possible, try to attend as many practices as you can, but take note of whether or not you are distracting your son or daughter from what they need to do. Chances are you’ll still get your bonding time with them when they want to tell you all about what happened at practice afterwards.

Also be aware of yourself and the image you are portraying to your kids and their friends when you do watch the games or practices. Letting your child or their friends see you yelling and swearing at a ref or at the team in general for a bad play will not help anybody.

Probably the most important thing that a parent, coach, or any other adult involved with the game experience can do is to make sure that all corrections or advice given to the child to help their game is done in a positive manner. Yelling at a kid because they don’t kick, trap or head the ball correctly will only serve to reduce their own self confidence in their abilities. Keep their minds as engaged as possible and they will gain more muscle control and continue to be interested in what they are doing.

Helping them practice it on their own is a great way to encourage them without tearing them down. Demonstrate how to kick, trap or head the ball, and tell them why it is important to do so; with positive reinforcement they will learn very quickly.

This website will give you more information: Soccer for kids

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Soccer Academy Is Feature Of Southeast Asia’s Leading Sport And Corporate Events Centre

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

An unparalleled revolutionary Soccer Academy is attached to the pioneering  Phuket International Academy Sports and Leisure Club (PIASLC) is preparing to become Asia’s finest competition, training and event facility when it begins full operations this November.  Combining a superb location with unparalleled facilities, it is already attracting awareness among important international sporting institutions and international corporations.

PIASLC is sited on over  50 acres of land in the northern section of Phuket, Thailand.  It boasts a widespread array of high-quality sporting facilities that include an International Rugby Board-standard rugby pitch, FIFA-approved football field, competitive fifty-meter eight lane outdoor swimming pool (suitable for water polo and competitive swimming), a fully shaded 25 metre, eight lane swimming pool, toddler’s and children’s pools and play area, a six court tennis academy, a 500 metre athletics running track and a fitness enthusiast gym, as well as  a performing arts centre and a Thai Herbal Garden Spa.   Phuket International Academy Sports and Leisure Club Sports, Leisure and Events Centre.

There are also two boutique hotels, providing 115 well-appointed rooms and suites for visitors, athletes, teams and corporate groups. The club has quickly gained appreciation through prestiguous relationships with global sporting organizations including Brazilian Soccer Schools (BSS), NZRugbyResources (NZRR), and IronKids Triathlon.    Announcement of tennis and swimming association are anticipated in the near future.

The PIASLC  is committed to being the foremost sports and corporate event center in Asia.   Not only delivering Asia’s unsurpassed facilities for sports but also special facilities and accommodations for conferences, incentives, retreats and teambuilding. 

PIASLC announced “Being in Phuket is a big advantage. It is not only an exotic location but the most exciting component of what we are doing is that every element of the club has been planned down to the finest detail from using cutting edge materials and equipment to employing the most qualified staff to manage and coach at the club.”

NZRugbyResources Director, David Adamson, said “Rugby is an extremely popular sport throughout Asia and growing in numbers every year and NZRugbyResources believes this is the finest training and playing facility in Asia. It is just amazing how much detail has gone into the planning.”

Another key association for junior athletes has been with the internationally-renowned Brazilian Soccer Schools (BSS) after officials from the organisation inspected the purpose-built floodlit artificial turf soccer field at the PIASLC and endorsed the club as its official home in Phuket.   World-renowned BSS is based upon Futebol de Salao (FDS).  The training and game is characterized as a 5-a-side version of soccer with origins in South America.  It is played with a smaller (size 2), and slightly heavier (465gm) ball that has virtually no bounce to it. 

The PIASLC has also confirmed an partnership with the US-based IronKids programme. This  affiliation will support four junior Triathlon events every year as well as training camps for youth aged between 6 and 15.

The PIASLCincludes almost a dozen specialized sports academies.   has assigned former Muay Thai champion “Thanootong’’ Prasert Intanoo to head the martial arts program at the impressive Phuket, Thailand sports centre.   Just as muay thai kickboxing requires commitment and talent, the appointment is just one more anecdote of the PIASLC bringing in top professionals to staff the emerging first-rate facility and help position it as the premier sports and leisure destination in Asia.

The PIASLC  will be delivering a diverse of world-class sports, arts, wellness and recreational facilities and programmes for the enjoyment of visitors, students, their families, the local Phuket community as well as for visiting professional and amateur individual athletes and teams from around the world.  PIASLC is going to establish a benchmark as a regional destination for sports, arts and wellness in Thailand and Asia, and perhaps the world.   PIA is an integrated facility hosting Phuket’s newest International School, a versatile Sports and Leisure Club for elite athletes, amateur enthusiasts, artists and wellness seekers – all within the Mind Centre sanctuary that provides training in the cultivation of mental and emotional sense of balance.  PIA  prides itself on being a dependable member of the community.  It is committed to operating with integrity as an equal opportunity employer and adhering to the highest principled standards to fulfill Mind, Body and Spirit Wellness

As part of a uniquely integrated complex, the Sports and Leisure Club works in synergy with both the Phuket International Academy Day School and PIAMC.   The Phuket International Academy Day School is aspiring to grow into a three programme International Baccalaureate (IB) World School.   The Phuket International Academy Day School has high-quality facilities, teachers, trainers, staff and administration.  Click this link for additional information on the Phuket International Academy Day School International School Thailand.

As part of a total commitment to sports excellence the PIAMC has started to make available training in the cultivation of cognitive and emotional balance.   The PIAMC will  offer  a combination of modern psychology and neuroscience in association with traditional Asian contemplative practices.  Delivered through residential retreats and weekend seminars PIAMC is open to all.     It teaches the practice of “mindfulness of breathing”, which is a successful method for soothing the body and calming the mind. A second method taught is both a shamatha practice and vipashyana, “insight meditation” or “settling the mind in its natural state”.  Phuket International Academy Mind Centre Meditation, Mind Studies, and Retreats.

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Reasons South Africa Is Hosting The 2010 FIFA World Cup

Sunday, June 20th, 2010

On Friday the 11th of June 2010 the whole of africa will join the many soccer fans worldwide as the day Africa comes to be the venue for the FIFA World Cup. It’s been 80 years that FIFA World Cup host countries have been in either Europe or the Americas. Exactly how is the venue for the cup decided upon?The latest selection policy is that any country can bid for the world cup as long as their continental confederation hasn’t hosted it in the past two years which makes a Africa very eligible. South Africa nearly won the 2006 bidding against Germany with a final tally of 12 votes to 11. All countries that bid for the 2010 World Cup were African including South Africa, Morocco and Egypt. South Africa won by four points to Morocco resulting in this unforgettable event. The reasons mentioned are all technical, but you might ask if the country has the ability to host such a huge event? I would answer with a resounding “Yes”.Here’s why:

* They’ve got a great team- that simple fact makes them deserving to have the great privilege of hosting the cup.If you’d ask me, having a World Cup in a country whose team isn’t even above average would be a disgrace. Look back at the countries that held the Cup-1950 (Brazil), 1978 (Argentina), and 1990 (Italy), some of the best teams in the world. Adding South Africa to the list would make sense.

* Perfect stadiums- South Africa’s preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup included the construction of four new stadiums. Their designs include : a detractable glass roof, beautiful lighting, zebra like seats, and the South African flag. What more could you ask for?

* The perfect weather-  if there’s one thing South Africa is known for-aside from its wildlife, it would be the weather. The World Football Tournament coincides with South Africa’s winter time. Not to worry though, your favorite players won’t end up freezing to death since the winter temperature in South Africa is warmer than most countries summer temperature! Lower temperatures have been proved to be better for athlete’s bodies so the average expected temperature of 20 degrees Celsius at 12pm noon will be great. With good weather, we can expect better performance..

* The continent alone- soccer is no doubt in every African’s heart and Africa is known to be the place where civilization begun. So what better place to have countries from the four corners of the earth meet? More so since South Africa has used soccer as a means of unity and force against apartheid in  the Mandela era. Having Soweto be the venue for the finals will add meaning and make the even even more memorable for the reason that Soweto has been the heart of South African soccer.

The whole world should be happy that an event of this magnitude is being held in Africa for the first time and no matter how many issues regarding safety have popped up in the past four years, I think the 2010 FIFA World Cup deserve to be held in South Africa.

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