Mark Wotte has been charged with the task of bringing Scottish football into the 21st century, I for one hopes that he is successful, but what needs to be done?
There is no denying that the Dutch youth system is fantastic at developing players, but why is this?
I have played in the Dutch youth system, not at a particularly high level however my team did play the likes of PSV's youth team and St.Michestell, which I believe was big Guido's youth team.
The main differences I found was that youth players were not promoted on a yearly basis, instead each age group lasted for 2 years, and there was a number of teams for each age group dependent on the size of the club's catchment area, for example the team I played for was organised as such -
U18 - Ai (U18 inter-regional group, best team in the age group) + 3 other under 18 teams
U16 - B1-4 (11 v 11, senior game rules, 40 minutes each way)
U14 - C1-4 (11 v 11, smaller goals, senior game rules, 40 minutes each way)
U12 - D1-4 (11 v 11, smaller goals, more relaxed offside rule, 35 minutes each way)
U10 - E 1-8 (Smaller teams, playing more locally based teams usually based on a tournament basis, emphasis on fun, 20 minutes each way)
U8 - F minisport, generally just an organised kick about, tournament based around the U8 age group within the club, at a guess I would say very similar to the way the J league is run at Gussie Park
I played in the D and C jeugd and the biggest advantage I found was with younger players coming into the team meant that the older players became 'mentors' which naturally develops more leaders instead of the team looking to the same characters year in year out.
The training is also more skill based with even the goalkeepers learning how to pass and trap a ball, before going off and doing their own specialised training.
I would find it interesting if any of these ideas are implemented into the youth system set up in Scotland, but the idea that these plans will mean Scotland will see results by the 2014 World Cup seem a little far fetched, the Dutch introduced their youth system in the late 50s early 60s and never had any success untill the early 70s
A great idea and I really hope it works out but I hope that we stick with it if we don't see immediate results, development takes time and there is no overnight miracle!
Good Luck Mark!
Mark Wotte
posted on 23/6/11
Here here!
posted on 25/6/11
I've got to say, I sense a revolution in Scottish football and it genuinely excites me.
Throughout my lifetime the SFA have been stuffy, beaurucratic and only interested in maintaining the status quo. Our nation has thus fell behind because of this.
Now we have an SFA who are finally willing to change and do what is best for Scottish football rather than what's best for the SFA.
What we need now is for people within the game to buy into the changes and listen. That includes the government and Wotte is right to mention in his first interview how we need investment in facilities. That is essential and if you go to similar sized countries they all have facilities supported by the government. Over to you Mr Salmond.
posted on 25/6/11
Definately agree, the club I played with, a town similar in size to Falkirk invested £1m into 1 'Stadium' pitch (very similar to that of Brechin City, 6 'Everyday' use pitches, 4 Training pitches, a bar/restaurant and changing rooms.
There is no reason why this could not be done over here, make it the social hub of the community instead of having 40 different youth teams battling for one pitch in the community.
Facilities need to be improved as does the coaching.
Also I fail to understand why there is 3 governing bodies, surely there should only be one to cover the senior game at there is in most European countries, the wages we pay all these chief executives would be much better spent on developing the game.
posted on 27/6/11
Hmmm...can I change my mind since Wotte wants to pinch Ian Cathro from United, us football fans are fickle aren't they