adminMonk and Potts are both from top UK-based soccer academy, Concept 4 Soccer International, which scouts and identifies talented players for a number of English clubs and other top teams across Europe and they will be in Harare this weekend to conduct the trials in conjunction with Zimbabwe’s World Wide Scholarships Group.
Munya Maraire, the president of World Wide Scholarships Group, recently said the objectives of the trials are to identify talented players from ages 10 to 23 and then link them up with top European clubs.
“The World Wide Scholarships Group, through our professional management division, have now partnered with UK-based Concept 4 Soccer International and this relationship has now enabled us to guarantee trials for players on a yearly basis based on their performance.
“As you know, from before, today the road to Europe for our (Zimbabwean) players and other players in Africa has been long and sometimes far-fetched with few players from Africa being able to get this opportunity. This is now in the past due to our initiative which allows these players to first have their trials here in Africa before we send them overseas.
“Our trials opportunity will, among other things, identify the level and ability of each player on the European grading scale, guarantee a selected talented player of a fair chance at being scouted for professional teams in Europe by being invited to the Concept 4 Soccer International Residential trials in the UK in July.
“We also guarantee trials once the player is vetted through our verification system and profile is evaluated. And what will happen to the selected players? Selected players will be linked with professional trials opportunities,” Maraire said.
He also said registration for this weekend’s trials that will be held at ZB Sports Club in Vainona will continue from 8am to 2pm today and the trials will begin at 3pm.
“The objective of this weekend’s programme is to link aspiring soccer players, who have talent, with opportunities to play overseas.
“With Potts, the Manchester City development scout, coming out to the trials, it is clear that they want to have a say on the talent that will be scouted during the two-day trials. This is a must attend event for any aspiring player (including goalkeepers) looking for the opportunity to develop and showcase their soccer skills with some of the most highly regarded English Premier League coaches in the UK.
“This means you will be watched and coached by some of the best scouts and coaches in the UK and if they think that you are good enough and if you make a good impression during these trials, you have the potential of being awarded a trial at a professional club,” Maraire added.
Concept 4 Soccer International director Monk is coming to Zimbabwe today after he recently conducted a highly successful three-day coach education clinic in Slovenia.
And off the back of the success from this coach education clinic in Slovenia, Monk, who will be accompanied by Potts, has been asked to conduct trials for Zimbabwean players this weekend in Harare. Concept 4 Soccer International Training Programme also offers teams from anywhere in the world a unique exposure to professional club training facilities, academy coaches, latest coaching ideas, philosophies and styles of play at some of the UK leading professional clubs.
This programme is custom built on the specific requests of the coach and is developed according to the quality and the specific needs of each team, and in some cases compete against academy teams, should the team meet the necessary criteria to qualify for that level.
Training with English Premier League coaches at a top professional club in the UK, combined with matches/stadium tours and watching a Premiership or Championship match create a truly unique soccer experience.
Online Reporter