As a Parent do make the Game of Football more Enjoyable for your Child... and other People's Children too

As a parent you have a great role to play in supporting a child's involvement in football. It is supporting a child's involvement in football. It is the purpose of this article to make you aware of some of the issues surrounding a child's participation in football, what you can expect from FAM "youth development program" or any other Football Coaching enviorment.
As a parent/carer involved in football, you need to understand the issue, opportunities and problems, associated with a child's participation in sport.

The first question we all should ask our self is why do kids play football? Easy, because its FUN! Well fun is really important, but there are lots of other factors as well. Some kids play to be with their mates, some play football to copy the role models, e.g.; David Beckham. Some play just because their parents want them to play, so as a parent it is important that you understand what motivates kids to play football. If we know why kids play football, we also need to know why kids drop out.

· It stopped being fun; there are other things to do.
· Coaches bully kids and make them feel stupid.
· Parents keep forcing them to play and shout at them when they didn't win. (Pressure)

Football is a fun sport that children enjoy playing. There are, however, a number of other benefits that football brings to children. The benefits that the children receive then have a positive effect on society as a whole.
Children today are playing less and less sports in our society; the lure of television and computer games and video games is great. The consequence on the long-term health of inactive children is immense.
Some of health benefits include; strengthening of muscles, building and maintaining healthy bones, reducing the chance of osteoporosis, consuming excess body fat and keep body weight under control.

As you all know life is full of pressure and children are increasingly the ones to face them. Football cannot only be an escape from these pressures, but also a provider of skills that enable them to be better dealt with. Football shows them discipline and cooperation, communication, dealing with failure, confidence, social skills and dealing with success. Studies show that the pressure from coach's and parents is the main cause of children dropping out of football. Remember to encourage appropriately and not to apply too much pressure. The aim is to get children to play football for life. What we all need to understand is what we need to do in order to achieve this. It is not just about goals and winning, it is about having fun. Be supporting and encouraging if they had a poor game. Take children to watch national level competitive games. Help children set realistic targets for them selves, help children to make their own decisions, know when your child is ready to play.

In a recent English FA survey of 9-13 year olds:
54% felt there was too much pressure to win.
42% said coaches placed too much pressure on them.
36% said that a parent's absorption in the game lessens the fun.

It's amazing how many parents believe they have the next Ali Ashafag or Ali Umar. Having dreams and aspirations is to be encouraged, but make sure that these are the dreams of the kids, not your or the coach's. Try to manage the expectation, don't build child's expectations up too high, maintain a balance in the child's life, support the child whatever direction they choose and research the support available.

Source: Soccer Parents Hand Book By Ahmed Marzooq

Don't Follow Abramovich, With 21 Billion US Dollars Even he Couldn't Buy the Beautiful Game

This is an article I read by Steven Howard, Thought I will share it with my blog readers. I would like to dedicate this article to the businessmen who recently stepped in Maldives football to manage Maldivian Football clubs with a great motivation, hopefully with a good intention too.

HE has got the £130million yacht with two swimming pools, two helipads and a submarine. He has the 440-acre estate in West Sussex, the flat in Belgravia and the £28m six-storey mansion in Kensington. He has the £1m bomb-proof Maybach 62 limo. And he traded in one older model — his wife Irina — for a younger one, a raven-haired beauty of 22.

But the one thing Roman Abramovich’s billions can’t buy is the Beautiful Game.

He first fell in love with the sport on a memorable night at Old Trafford in April 2003, when Real Madrid’s Ronaldo received a standing ovation after a 59-minute Champions League hat-trick. On the pitch were other global stars like Zidane, Figo, Roberto Carlos, Veron, Beckham, Keane, Van Nistelrooy and Giggs. Enough to turn anyone’s head. So the Russian bought Chelsea, poured £350m into the project and entrusted his dream to Jose Mourinho. Success was immediate: back-to-back titles, something a football institution like Arsenal had not managed since the Thirties.

But, then, the lustre started to fade. Though supremely well-organised and hard to beat, his side would not play the way he wanted. So he and his associates moved in.

Mourinho, who never believed in the Galacticos ethos, was handed players he didn’t want, while those he did were denied him. The undermining of the manager had begun. And so it would continue, with additional members of staff foisted on a man who rightly believed his own loyal backroom team had brought sufficient rewards without Big Brother interference.

It all came to a head at Villa Park 19 days ago, when Abramovich stormed out of his seat. The body language said it all. A week later, Mourinho responded in kind, throwing his head back in disbelief after Andriy Shev-chenko missed a sitter. The message was clear: you bought him, not me.

Further pressure was applied by Peter Kenyon saying Abramovich wanted two Champions League crowns in six years — and do it the right way, Jose. Then on Tuesday we came to the depths of the 1-1 Champions League draw with Rosenborg watched by 24,973 — just 2,000 more than turned up at The Valley Stadium for Charlton versus Norwich.

It is claimed Red Rom spoke afterwards for 20 minutes with Sheva, asking where it had gone wrong. The dark clouds became tinged with lightning when Abramovich heard of a row between Mourinho and John Terry — the manager concerned about his skipper’s form, even seeking a possible explanation from the club’s medical team. Seeing Terry has been playing with painkilling injections in his damaged toe since the start of the season, it was a legitimate concern.
A day later, the Chelsea board met to discuss the causes — and ramifications — of the meagre Euro turn-out. The greatest irony was that it took place just as a young, vibrant Arsenal side were thrashing Seville 3-0 in front of 60,000 ecstatic fans — paying even higher prices than Chelsea supporters. A team, patiently assembled at a fraction of the cost lavished on Chelsea, playing exactly the sort of attacking, entertaining football that Abramovich had always dreamed of.

So now the switchback ride is over.

Mourinho will take a time-out before what many believe will be an inevitable return to football in Italy. Yes, of course, he infuriated people with his tricks, his sarcasm, his scarcely-concealed innuendos and his hypocrisy. And he made some duff purchases. But he delighted us with his intelligence, his humour, his willingness to attack cherished beliefs and, yes, his ability to pull his own leg as well as our’s. In his place, Chelsea are lumbered with caretaker and yes-man Avram Grant, of whom they said yesterday: “We are delighted that in Avram we have an experienced man who can come in immediately.” Ah, yes, such experience. One Champions League campaign with Maccabi Haifa and one season at Portsmouth.

What Abramovich really needs is an Arsene Wenger or Alex Ferguson — managers with values other than money. Managers attracted by a cause and leaving a legacy. Managers with a life-long dedication to their clubs. And, yes, managers who play the Beautiful Game.

But they can’t be bought. Not even by him.

Source: The Sun

Pressures from FIFA have forced to Sack the FAM’s Unelected Executive Committee.

World football’s governing body, FIFA, has warned that it will take action if the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) does not hold the election by the end of this year. This warning has been given by FIFA after extending the dates for twice to hold a congress for a new Executive Committee.

It is also believed that the FAM have asked to extend the date till March 2008 but FIFA have dismissed the request from Maldives and gave 31st October 2007 to register a new constitution of FAM and the final date to hold the election before 31st December 2007.

Since the matter got worse, today Maldives Sports Council called the present Unelected President and the unelected executive committee for an emergency meeting. The meeting ended after dismissing the present Executive Committee and the National Sports Council members formed a new Interim Executive Committee to lead the nations number one sports association for a congress before 31st December 2007. The new FAM’s Interim Executive committee consists of six members from National Sports Council. Among the 6 members former FAM General Secretary Mr. Ibrahim Ismail will be the Chairman and Former National team Manager Mr. Ahmed Shahir will be the Vice chairman.

FIFA Have previously confirmed that as a part of their road map, the FAM must register new statues and organize an election before the end of this year. But FAM or the government never bothered about World’s football governing bodys' call until March 2007 when Asian Football Confederation (AFC) called upon the top guys of FAM, who participated in the AFC congress to hold an election as soon as possible to suit the organization into FIFA and AFC constitution.

If the elections do not take place by 31st December 2007, it is believed that FIFA would fully assess the existing situation at that point and will take an appropriate action, which might be a ban too..

Note: FAM’s Unelected Executive Committee till today:

1. Ali Suzey (Victory) 2. Ali Azim (New Radiant) 3. Dhona ( Valencia) 4. Adhuham (VB Sports) 5. Visham (Vyansa) 6. Waleedh (Maaziya) 7. Nazeeh (AYL) 8. Member from Mahibadhoo 9. Ismail Zariyandh (FAM Treasurer)

The Weekly Summary For the Business of Football

SPAIN: Real Reveals Record Financial Results

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has hailed the club’s board after the Primera División giant recorded a record set of figures for the 2006-07 financial year. Last season was a landmark campaign for Real as it managed to pip fierce rival FC Barcelona to the league crown and break its trophy drought in the process. The club has now reported on the best financial year in its history after generating €351 million in ordinary revenue, a 20% increase compared to the previous year. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation came to €83 million, a 43% increase compared to 2005-06.

“These historic results would not have been possible without the financial rigours of the board and without the professionalism of the top club executives, who have been comparable to those at huge multinational companies,” said Calderon. “Real Madrid has a structure of growth and a team that gives a solid financial base. The team is working towards a solid economic future.”
A profit of €44 million was achieved before taxes, but after deducting total depreciation, the insolvency provision, and the risk contingency provisions. This figure was far in excess of a budget of €3.9 million presented and passed by the club’s members in the Assembly of December 3, 2006.

EUROPE: Top Five Leagues Splash Out On Transfers

While the Barclays (sponsor) Premier League continued to be the dominant force in the transfer market, European clubs have also dipped their hands into their pockets over the summer, particularly in Spain. Real Madrid was Europe’s top spender with around £80 million invested on new players this summer, including the acquisition of Gabriel Heinze and Arjen Robben from Manchester United and Chelsea respectively. Thierry Henry’s transfer from Arsenal helped push FC Barcelona’s transfer spending up towards £50 million, with Atletico Madrid also spending around the same sum.

Outside England, Spain’s Primera División was the next highest spending league in summer 2007, with total transfer spending around half of the amount spent by Premier League clubs. Clubs in the big five European Leagues splashed out around £1 billion on transfers in summer 2007, according to the latest analysis by Deloitte. Alan Switzer, director in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte, said: “Looking further afield, it comes as no surprise to see Real Madrid and Barcelona spending at least as much as their English rivals on transfers, given that they have the highest revenues in world football in 2005-06.” He added: “Broadcast revenues are again the key to explaining the high transfer spending by the two giants of Spanish football, which unlike their Premier League counterparts can sell their own broadcast rights. Both clubs have signed new deals which will generate significant increases in broadcast revenues for each club, to around £100 million per season from 2008-09 - around twice the highest amount that a Premier League club is likely to receive.” Overseas clubs also continue to benefit most from Premier League clubs’ transfer spending, with around half of disclosed transfer spending (£250 million) in 2007 going to clubs outside England.

Leagues To Receive UEFA Cash Bonus

UEFA has announced it will distribute €43.2 million in solidarity payments from the 2006-07 UEFA Champions League to the top leagues of its member associations.

Leagues with participants in last season's Champions League will receive a total of €36 million, while leagues without participants will be paid €7.2 million. England's Barclays (sponsor) Premier League leads the way from those that competed and is set to benefit to the tune of €6.52 million.

Italy's Serie A TIM (sponsor), which produced winner AC Milan, follows close behind with €6.47 million, while at the other end of the scale, Bulgaria's A PFG will receive €455,000 through Levski Sofia's participation. The payments are being made by UEFA as part of the solidarity scheme associated with the Champions League and is aimed at supporting youth development activities in professional football. Of the leagues not represented in last season's Champions League, Norway's Tippeligaen will benefit the most after receiving €351,500, while Wales' Principality Building Society (sponsor) Premier League will take €166,700.

NETHERLAND: Sponsor Comes Out Fighting In Utrecht Dispute

FC Utrecht’s main sponsor Phanos waded into the battle for control of the Eredivisie club this week by staging a press conference to show its support for chairman Jan Willem van Dop. The company demanded that Utrecht’s board should step down, with coach Willem van Hanegem and several players also attending the conference. Phanos insisted that Van Dop was not guilty of financial mismanagement at the club and said it would honour its sponsorship commitments to the club, but not make any extra investment for the time being. On Thursday, Phanos got its wish when a provisional court judge in Utrecht ordered the reinstatement of Van Dop.
“Our commitment is that the club brings to Utrecht the highest level of football, and we want to co-operate only with people who pursue this aim,” said Phanos chairman Geert Ensing earlier in the week. “We are going for a result that is best for the sport, the needs of the supporters, the needs of the coach and the needs of the executive board of FC Utrecht. He who aims to stand in the way must ask himself whether he wants the best for the club.” Van Dop told De Telegraaf that the Board of Supervisory Directors (BoSD) had “made an elephant out of a mosquito”. He added: “If it's up to me, I will work at FC Utrecht for a very long time.” The judge’s decision means the BoSD and interim chairman Broos Schnetz will have to leave the club.

DENMARK: Schmeichel Fails In Brondby Bid

Denmark legend Peter Schmeichel has been rebuffed in his attempts to stage a takeover at leading Danish club Brondby. The former Manchester United goalkeeper, who holds the record for the most appearances for the national team, made an offer for the club as part of a group of investors. That offer was worth €34 million, but has been withdrawn after a lengthy Brondby board meeting on Monday failed to reach an agreement to accept it. Brondby chairman Per Bjerregaard stepped down as CEO of the club on Friday and was named chairman before the offer was made public.

Schmeichel had spent over four years of the formative stages of his career at Brondby between 1987 and 1991, and was set to become sporting director of the club with the group taking three seats on the board. Brondby, located on the outskirts of Copenhagen, is one of the major powerhouses of Danish football along with rival FC Copenhagen. In a separate development, Brondby was recently informed by the club’s main sponsor, Danish insurance company Codan, that it would not be renewing the partnership deal when it expires at the end of the season.

BRAZIL: Corinthians Secures New Samsung Deal

Brazilian club Corinthians has renewed its sponsorship deal with electronics giant Samsung until the end of next year. Samsung will reportedly pay US$9 million to be a main sponsor, marking a big increase on the previous two years of the relationship. Samsung injected $6.1 million and $6.7 million into the club in 2005 and 2006, and the more lucrative deal has been agreed despite the club having struggled for success in recent years.

The deal reportedly hit a snag earlier in the week with the two parties disagreeing over certain clauses, such as the number of tickets granted to the sponsor for matches in the Campeonato Brasileiro. Corinthians interim president Clodomil Orsi said: “This is a demonstration of the importance of our name and the number of benefits an association with us carries.”
Samsung vice-president Jose Roberto Campos added: “The importance that Corinthians has in the world of sport was crucial to keeping this relationship going. We are strengthening our commitment to national sport.” Corinthians this week appointed Ze Augusto as coach on a permanent basis after the team beat Santos 2-0 in the state derby on Sunday.

ARGENTINA: AFA Takes Steps To Tackle Fan Violence

The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) has made a move to combat fan violence in the domestic game by signing an agreement with the National University of Technology to devise a security project that will include personalised tickets for spectators. After an evaluation period of 120 days, the university will take the proposal to the AFA for final approval.

The main objective is to create a system of personalised tickets with a complete register of supporters, to fight the violence that blights Argentinian football. The agreement was signed by the AFA's president Julio Humberto Grondona and the university's dean, architect Luis De Marco. “We have four courses of action,” said De Marco. “We want to create a database so we can carry out analysis and create digitised and personalised tickets. We do not offer a magic solution. We offer seriousness and know-how. We are sure we will provide the tools that the people demand and AFA requires.” Grondona added: “Our intention is simple. We want to ensure that people enjoy the spectacle and see families return to the stadia.”

Source: Soccerex

Study: Playing football provides health benefits for all

An hour of football three times a week provides significant physical benefits, a study has emphatically concluded, indicating that fitness and health really can be combined with having fun.

The Danish scientific study (Peter Krustrup et al: Recreational soccer has significant beneficial effects on performance and health profile) has thus proved what many in the football family have thought for a long time. In detail, the study indicates regular recreational football is one of the best long-term guarantees of good health. Dr. Peter Krustrup of Copenhagen University in Denmark recruited groups of non-athletic men aged 20 to 43, either to play football or go jogging three times a week, before examining the effects of the physical programme and comparing the results with a control group of similarly aged non-active men.

The benefits of training on the cardiovascular system and metabolic processes have long been recognised, but data relating to specific sports are few and far between. The results collated by Dr. Krustrup indicated reduced blood pressure, lower body and blood fats, and a simultaneous increase in muscle mass for the footballing group. The Danish medic specifically highlighted the positive effects of the game's characteristic combination of slower and faster periods of movement with frequent sprints, benefiting not only the cardiovascular system, but also boosting muscle development and fat reduction.

Football actually proved more effective than running in certain aspects. For example, the joggers shed less weight and showed no sign of muscle development. Another vital finding was that the joggers toiled through a programme they regarded as a chore, but the footballers' enjoyment of the game caused them barely to notice the physical exertion. "Football is a great deal more than merely a popular team sport - it is extremely valuable in helping us maintain our health," Dr. Krustrup summarised. The research dovetails perfectly with a new initiative from world football's governing body FIFA and the FIFA Medical and Assessment Research Centre (F-MARC), dedicated to promoting the game as an ideal leisure activity providing health benefits to everyone.

Maintaining a three-times-a-week schedule of running or visits to a fitness studio requires enormous self-discipline, especially when it is not particularly enjoyable. For something to be genuinely good for our health we have to take pleasure in it. "This is where football has an enormous advantage," according to Professor Jiri Dvorak. "If you enjoy playing the game and are able to live out your exercise preferences in doing so, you will keep doing it." Following initial presentations of the new "Football for Health" concept in Oceania and South Africa, the FIFA Chief Medical Officer unveiled the new strategy to a wider audience for the first time at a UNESCO Doping Congress in February this year, attracting widespread attention and enthusiasm.

There are few barriers to playing football, as the pitch, a ball and goals are easily improvised. Especially in developing and emerging nations, where resources and infrastructure may be at a premium, this could be an ideal answer to constantly rising rates of obesity, hypertension, diabetes and other so-called 'civilisation' diseases: the targeted promotion of (street) football in such regions could prove an ideal preventive tool for the respective nation's health. And as a general rule, the risks involved in physical activity for a recreational footballer represent far less of a danger than the much greater threat posed by lack of exercise.

Professor Dvorak is convinced: "Although few people can become rich and famous through football, everyone can become and stay physically and mentally healthy, and do so with fun and passion. We simply have to tap into this potential." Football can not only make the world a better place, it can also make it a more healthy one.

Source: http://www.fifa.com/

FIFA's Map For Maldives to Reach World Cup - South Africa 2010

Lets see the map that Maldives have to follow to reach FIFA World Cup 2010

The Asian Football Confederation(AFC) has been given 4.5 places in the final stages of the 2010 World Cup. 43 nations will battle it out for those places. Laos, Brunei and the Phillipines have turned down the opportunity to qualify.

Australia will compete in the AFC for the first time following their move from Oceania in 2006. Australia have already competed in the 2007 Asian Cup.

The 43 nations competing from Asia have been seeded according to their performance in the 2006 World Cup. The seedings are as follows:

1. Australia 2. South Korea 3. Saudi Arabia 4. Japan 5. IR. Iran 6. Bahrain 7. Uzbekistan 8. Kuwait 9. North Korea 10. China 11. Jordan 12. Iraq 13. Lebanon 14. Oman 15. UAE 16. Qatar 17. Syria 18. Palestine 19. Thailand 20. Turkmenistan 21. Tajikistan 22. Indonesia 23. Hong Kong 24. Yemen 25. Vietnam 26. Kyrgyzstan 27. Maldives 28. India 29. Singapore 30. Sri Lanka 31. Malaysia 32. Chinese Taipei 33. Bangladesh 34. Macau 35. Pakistan 36. Afghanistan 37. Mongolia 38. Guam 39. Nepal 40. Cambodia 41. Bhutan 42. Myanmar 43. Timor-Leste

Asian World Cup qualifying will be a four round process plus a play-off for the 5th best Asian qualifier. The 5th best Asian qualifier plays the winner of Oceania qualifying for a place in the finals.

The draw for the Asian World Cup 2010 qualifying first round was made on August 6th 2007 at the AFC house in Bukit Jalil Malaysia. The top 5 seeds were given a bye to the third round. The first round consists of a 2-leg knockout tournament. The 1st leg will take place on the 8th October 2007. The 2nd leg matches will be played on the 28th October 2007.

Asia 2010 World Cup Qualifying Round 1

1st leg 8/10/07 - 2nd leg 28/10/07

Team 1------Agg. Result-----------Team 2

• Pakistan Vs Iraq
  Uzbekistan Vs Chinese Taipei
  Thailand Vs Macau
  Sri Lanka Vs Qatar
  China Vs Myanmar
  Bhutan Vs Kuwait
  Kyrgyzstan Vs Jordan
  Vietnam United Vs Arab Emirates
  Bahrain Vs Malaysia
  Timor-Leste Vs Hong Kong
  Syria Vs Afghanistan
  Yemen Vs Maldives
  Bangladesh Vs Tajikistan
  Mongolia Vs North Korea
  Oman Vs Nepal
  Palestine Vs Singapore
  Lebanon Vs India
  Cambodia Vs Turkmenistan
  Guam Vs Indonesia

Of the 19 winners in the first round, the 8 lowest seeded teams must play in the second round. The remaining 11 higher seeds go straight into the third round.

Asia 2010 World Cup Qualifying Round 2

1st leg 8/10/07 - 2nd leg 28/10/07

Team 1 Agg.Results Team 2

Seed 17 Vs Seed 14
Seed 16 Vs Seed 12
Seed 19 Vs Seed 15
Seed 18 Vs Seed 13

Asia 2010 World Cup Qualifying Round 3

The top 5 seeds join the 11 winners from round 1 and the 4 winners from round 2 in the third round. The 20 qualifiers for the third round will be drawn into 5 groups of 4 teams. In the group stage the teams in each group play each other home and away. The top 2 from each group qualify for the fourth round.

Asia 2010 World Cup Qualifying Round 4

The 10 teams making it through the third round will be split into 2 groups of 5 teams. The teams from each group will play each other home and away with the top 2 from each group qualifying for the 2010 World Cup final stages.

Asia 2010 World Cup Qualifying play-offs

The teams finishing 3rd from each group in the fourth qualifying round play each other home and away to determine overall 5th place in Asian World Cup qualifying. The winner from this play-off will play the winner of Oceania World Cup qualifying for a berth in the 2010 World Cup finals.

See you in South Africa 2010

Source: FIFA

FA Maldives Needs a Clear, Agreed Plan which Provides Defined set of Objectives

Football is the worlds leading sport. The game provides healthy, enjoyable outlet for children and adults all over the globe. In Maldives, football is the central part of sporting culture and plays a vital role in developing individuals and in achieving international success in regional level.
The Maldives Government policy should increasingly stress and recognized the importance of sports to social, cultural, economical and educational progress and through the policies of Ministry of Youth and sports, the Government should seek to increase participation in sports and maximise performance on the international stage.
While slight progress has been made in developing the game in this country to date, there is growing recognition that the sports governing body, the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) needs to proactively reform the way in which football is developed and managed. On the National Sports Vision Development seminar in 1998 and 2006 the need for a new direction was forcefully highlighted by all the clubs, coaches, media and veteran players.
Development of individual players at national and international level also reinforce the need for changes in the way the game is organized in this country and the Asian football governing body AFC has recently signalled the importance of developing grass roots football in a planned and systematic way. Within Maldives, the sports involved citizens or sports experts have highlighted the need for more strategic approach to the development of sports, while most successful countries in sports have drawn attention to the fact that player development is a long-term process, taking ten years or more.
There was and had never been, since the foundation of the Association, a clear and concise plan to meet the needs of players at each stage of their development and this has led to lack of quality playing and coaching opportunities within the game in comparison with other football developing nations in SAARC and ASEAN While interests in playing the game has grown dramatically, the structures required to sustain this interest are not fully in place. This has led to situation where certain areas of the country and particularly target groups are still struggling to find opportunities to play the game at their own level.
On the international stage Maldivian teams have achieved many great results in SAARC and in Asia too, specially the performances over the years from Maldivian clubs in AFC Cup are recognised all over Asia but in order to sustain this success and to achieve a higher target the game in Maldives must be developed in line with international best practice where the leading football nations in Asia have through their relevant Football Associations integrated the development of players into their overall thinking, practice, philosophy and structure.
The next step, therefore, must be to ensure that the game is developed on a technically sound basis in this country. This essential phase in the development of the FAM must take full account of the needs of players at each phase of their development.
There is a need for a clear, agreed plan which provides a defined set of objectives for the development of the game and outlines a clear programme of action, the identification of who is responsible for implementing these actions must be determined and realistic timescales for their implementation must be outlined.
The delivery and implementation of the plan will provide a sound philosophy and framework to guide decision making at all levels of the game and within the organization.

Parents Love Their Children and want Nothing but the Best for Them...

As we all know behaviors that others may see as "pushy", sporting parents see as "lovingly supportive".

What a coach may interpret as "sticking their noses in", sporting parents see only a genuine interest in their child's development. This difference in perspective and the difficulty in being able to be objective where their kids are concerned often lead parents into a conflict situation with coaches, other parents, officials and eventually their own children.
I have done hundreds of talks to different sporting parents around Maldives. Many times parents have approached me after a talk and said, "I hear what you say, but you don't know my child. He is different".
Whilst every child is indeed an individual, what all children have in common are parents who have high opinions of their child's ability to do everything.
It starts early - the first day home from the hospital.
"Here is a picture of my baby. He is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen and I am not just saying that because he is mine".
Then around two years of age:
"My child is much more advanced than the other children - talking and walking before other kids, and I am not just saying that because he is mine".
Then at school.
"He is well advanced for his age. He can do things that most five year olds can't. I'm not just saying that because he is my son".
Then naturally at sport.
"He is the best full back in the island. He really is. I'm not just saying that because he is my son".
The football parent is merely extending their natural feelings of love and support for their child into the sporting environment.

Football Parents have five things in common:
· They love their children
· They want the best for their children
· They are incapable of being objective about their children
· They believe there is something special or unique about their children (that no on else can see)
· They don't believe people when they tell them every parent has the first four things in common.

This is where coaches and parents run into problems. Coaches see kids as athletic, confident, skilful etc based on their objective analysis of the child's ability to perform tasks at training and in games. Parents on the other hand see a child who is wonderful, brilliant and gifted because they share the same genetics.

Source: Soccer Parents Handbook by Ahmed Marzooq