Monthly Newsletter - April 2024
Hello ballers,
Welcome to my monthly newsletter, April 2024 edition. If you missed any of the previous months, you can check them out here: https://strivefootballacademy.com/blog
It’s been a crazy couple of months with some exciting things happening; I launched the online course which has been well received, released the first ever Strive Football Shirt and continued to coach as much as possible with both football camps and one to ones. If any of the above interests you - all are linked.
May Football Camp
We are back for four days at the end of May for the last half-term break before the summer holidays. There will be good vibes and good weather (vibes guaranteed, weather not so much).
https://strivefootballacademy.com/football-camps
Pre-Season training
As this season comes to an end for a lot of players out there - pre-season is just on the horizon. If you are looking for a technical plan to really try and improve over the couple of months before next season then try our Online Training Plan. It’s been created to be effective with players of all ages and abilities and, even better, if you would like a whole group of players or a team to complete it at the same time, we have multi subscription discounts available. https://strivefootballacademy.com/onlinecourse
What I’ve been watching
As the end of the season comes in - we have a really exciting title race. Liverpool seemed to have excused themselves from it, which leaves Man City to battle it out with Arsenal - the latter being one point clear having played one more game.
Man City will always be the favourites in these situations, having years of experience just winning every single game. I honestly don’t mind who wins it, but as a neutral I hope for some a couple of twists and turns along the way just to make it interesting.
I’ve been absolutely loving the Champions League this season, with some of the best knockout games in recent history happening. Again, I don’t really mind who makes it to the final - however, I’ll always have a soft spot for Dortmund, who produce so many good players and always play exciting football. Maybe we will see a repeat of the 2013 Champions League final between Bayern and Dortmund which oddly enough was also at Wembley, coincidence?
Ask me a question
This months question from Kate and Eliza is:
Who do you think is the best Left Back in the WSL?
The three teams I’ve watched the most, probably because of their coverage on TV, are Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea. Arsenal's Stephanie Catley seems an absolute machine when she plays, although she has been competing for the left back spot with Katie McCabe, who has had a meteoric rise from the lower level of Irish football.
Demi Stokes for Man City is equally as impressive as the two previously mentioned, although seems a little more defensive - which is actually a breath of fresh air. In the men's game, full-backs seemed to be judged on their ability to attack rather than defend…
Finally there’s Niamh Charles of Chelsea. I’ve been really impressed with her ability to take players on, aggressiveness on the ball and work-rate. I have also seen her in action for England and been equally impressed.
For me, Charles is the pick of the bunch. In these situations I always think ‘Who would I most want to play like?’ and in this case, it’s her.
Agree? Let me know…
Worth a watch
CBS is the show that keeps on giving! Watch Carragher deliver an interview after 8 pints in Dortmund!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2HSTt6sDZI
Spurs have really struggled of late - Ange’s interview sums up how he feels about it…