TWO SOUTH AFRICANS IN FINAL EIGHT OF THE CHANCE
Players Receive Full Time Contracts to the high performance and training program supported by the English Premier League
Nike, Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal FC and Didier Drogba today announced the ‘winners of “The Chance,” a global search for talented footballers to join the Nike Academy.
After the final an intense final trial week under the watchful eye of elite coaches and scouts eight players will take their hard earn places as full-time members of the Nike Academy starting July 2011.
South Africans Jonathan King and Reyaad Pieterse will be the first South Africans to join the prestigious Nike Academy in the United Kingdom from June 2011 with a year-long football contract, following the announcement of the footballers selected in the top eight of Nike’s global competition, The Chance.
King and Pieterse joined six other players from around the world, including: Mustapha Taline (France); Seon-Min Moon (Korea); Fabio Tonini (Belgium); Tobi Amokeodo (United Kingdom); Titi Accam (United Kingdom) and Tomas Rogic (Australia).
“The Chance gives young players around the world the opportunity to showcase their talent, enhance their game and offers the ultimate dream, the chance of becoming a professional player,” said Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal FC.
“The eight players who have won their place at the Nike Academy demonstrated great technical ability and dedication to succeed at the final trials.”
The successful eight, hand-picked from over 75,000 global submissions from 40 countries, have competed in both national and global trials to make it to the final eight. They will now go on to experience world class facilities, train with elite coaches, nutritionists, psychologists and fitness conditioners, as well as play matches against elite academies and professional reserve teams.
“I know from personal experience that players develop at different stages and rebound from setbacks to reach the elite level of the game and that’s what makes The Chance such a great program, providing access to top class coaching, training and facilities, said Giovanni Van Bronckhorst. “What’s really important about trial week, beyond the great success of the final eight players, is that everyone will take something away from the training this week, everyone improves their game.”
“I paced myself since we arrived in London, and the freezing weather did not help me much, but I was so always determined to make my mark, and I got noticed by the selectors during the training sessions. I gave my all in the final games, pushing myself hard because I wanted this chance so badly, and now I have a signed contract with the Nike Academy – this is amazing”, said 17-year old Jonathan King, a right wing back.
18 year old goalkeeper, Reyaad Pieterse of Johannesburg said: “I am still in shock, feeling excited and nervous at the same time. This is such a special moment, I worked very hard for this chance to be in the Nike Academy, and finally, here I am. I had some tough competition from about four other goalies, and I know that we all worked hard, but I wanted this more and this motivated me to keep focused.”
Says Seruscka Naidoo, Nike South Africa Communications Manager: “Nike South Africa is very proud of having two players from our country in the top eight. This is a great achievement for the boys, and moreover, for our core team of football specialists who engaged with Nike to help us enable our players to become better. We unearthed talent from all over South Africa basing our selection criteria on footballers who needed to have the fundamentals of the game, while we further helped them to master it with coaching programmes. It’s evident that this has been a success as we have not only the best, but also two South African’s receiving a contract that will change their lives.”
SOUTH AFRICAN YOUNGSTERS READY TO CHALLENGE AT NIKE’S ‘THE CHANCE’ FINALS TRIAL
Following a nationwide search for South Africa’s most talented football youths, four of the country’s top young footballers embark this week on a journey of a lifetime to the United Kingdom, to compete in ‘The Chance’, a global search for elite amateur players to join the Nike Academy in London.
Jonathan King, Nazan Klaasens, Khayalethu Nzimande and Reyaad Pieterse will be amongst the 100 young hopefuls from around the world competing for eight coveted positions in the academy at the finals of The Chance that will be held in London from the 20th to 22nd January.
Since the top four announcement in October 2010, these four athletes have been hard at work preparing for the international competition. Eric Tinkler, Nike legend and coach, put the boys through their paces with a specialised training programme. The youngsters spent five weeks training with Tinkler at Wits where they gained valuable technical and tactical insight. A further highlight was training with leading South African club Kaizer Chiefs under head coach Vladimir Vermezovic, where senior players Itumeleng Khune, Jimmy Tau, Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Punch Masenamela offered words of advice and encouragement. Jonathan, Nazan, Khayalethu and Reyaad also had the chance to witness first-hand the nature of Premier Soccer League football as Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns squared off at Soccer City stadium on Saturday 8th January.
“The competition at the global finals will be fierce, and I have no doubt that these boys will stand up strong against their international counterparts,” says Seruscka Naidoo, Communications Manager Nike South Africa. “Watching the evolution of Jonathan, Nazan, Khayalethu and Reyaad over the past few months has been inspirational and I can only hope that they gain as much from this process, both on and off the pitch, as possible.”
On Thursday 22nd, all 100 selected players from around the world will be put through a series of training drills ascertaining their levels of ability. The drills will encompass all facets of the game including technical, tactical, physical and mental components. This will be done in order to begin the arduous task of selecting the best 32 players that will duly be announced at the conclusion of training on Friday 23rd. On Saturday morning the top 32 players that have progressed will enter into a series of small-sided and full-sided games where the players will have their final chance to impress the selectors.
As part of the experience, all 100 athletes will have the opportunity to watch the professionals in action at the Emirates Stadium, London as they take in the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Wigan Athletic.
“We hope to give all these youngsters a real taste of professional football in the UK, and shortly after we return from the game, the final announcement of the eight winners will be made at the closing ceremony” concluded Naidoo.
NIKE GIVE THE CHANCE HOPEFULS THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAIN WITH KAIZER CHIEFS
The four highly promising young footballers from around South Africa, who will represent the country at the global finals of Nike’s The Chance football competition in the United Kingdom in January, were invited by Kaizer Chiefs to attend a double training session last week at Naturena.
Jonathan King, Nazan Klaasens, Khayalethu Nzimande and Reyaad Pieterse, will join 96 other aspiring footballers from around the world in the hope of winning a contract at the prestigious Nike academy. The Nike academy is a high performance training programme supported by the English Premier League and Arsenal FC manager Arsene Wenger will also be present at the global finals in order to cast his watchful gaze at the young players who have excelled in their respective countries.
The quartet arrived at Naturena under the pretence of participating in fitness tests with the Kaizer Chiefs coaching staff but instead found themselves thrust into a full-blown training session with the entire Kaizer Chiefs squad who were preparing for a vital Premier Soccer League fixture against Bidvest Wits in Polokwane at the weekend. Head coach Vladimir Vermezovic welcomed the youngsters into the fold and immediately began putting the players through their paces.
After a stretching period King, Nzimande and Klassens joined the rest of the outfield players for a series of warm-up drills while goalkeeper Pieterse joined Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper coach Rainer Dinkelacker for the start of the goalkeeping session.
“The purpose behind inviting the youngsters to join Kaizer Chiefs for training was to acclimatize them to the rigours of professional football by exposing the young athletes to the highest level the game has to offer. The intensive training period was designed with the purpose of preparing the players technically, physically and mentally ahead of the trip to the United Kingdom in January,” said Seruscka Naidoo, Communication Manager, Nike South Africa.
Kaizer Chiefs coach Vermezovic had set up the tactical session with specific emphasis placed on counter-attacking football. This ensured that the players worked on fitness and endurance while also focusing on technical ability, execution and tactical nous.
Vermezovic and the professional players were also highly complimentary in their initial feedback to the youngsters, encouraging them to keep grounded, and to ensure that they continue combining their physical training and ability with sheer hard work.
All four of the aspiring players were visibly moved by their experience on the day, mingling with many of the players that they have only seen on television and in the media. The experience gained during their training session will certainly put them in good stead for their imminent trip to Europe.
NIKE SELECTS THE FINAL 100 FOR THE CHANCE
NIKE have announced the final 100 players participating in “The Chance,” a global search for elite amateur players to join the Nike Academy, a high performance program supported by the Premier League in England.
“The Chance gives young players around the world a great opportunity to showcase their talent, enhance their game and gain valuable insight into the mindset and physical demands of the professional game,” said Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal FC. “For the Final 100, trial week gives talented young players the chance to train, play and experience life as an elite athlete, with an opportunity to enter the Nike Academy.”
Under the watchful eye of elite level coaches and scouts the final 100 players from 40 countries were selected from over 75,000 global submissions. Three days of intensive trials will be supported by world class training and professional insights.
The final eight players selected will live in the UK for a year starting next summer and be a full-time member of the Nike Academy. Players will experience world class facilities, elite coaches, nutritionists, psychologists and fitness conditioners, along with games against elite academies and professional reserve teams.
The final 100 players will travel to London on January 19th to begin three days of intense training and competition, while being evaluated by a world-class team of coaches and scouts. Players will also participate in a series of training drills and tactical sessions aimed to broaden exposure to elite training techniques.
During trial week players will receive personal coaching expertise and tips from leading international coaches and professional players such as Theo Walcott of Arsenal FC. Under the guidance of Huw Jennings, Director of the Nike Academy, the coaching staff will assess the participants and select the final eight players for the Nike Academy.
“Trial week represents a tremendous opportunity for these young players to stake their claim and realize their potential to win a position at Nike Academy,” said Huw Jennings, Director, Nike Academy. “The global reach of The Chance participants is exciting from a coaching perspective, leading to the intensity and high level of competition during trial week.”
The final 100 players were selected by Nike through Nike Elite Training events, the Nike City Cup, as well as exposure through the digital platform.
To view the “The Chance” Final 100 players competing for one of the eight spots on the Nike Academy visit http://go.nike.com/Final100. A group photograph comprising all Final 100 players is available at NikeMedia.com.
NIKE ANNOUNCES THE FOUR SOUTH AFRICAN ‘THE CHANCE’ FINALISTS
NIKE SOUTH AFRICA ANNOUNCES TOP FOUR FOOTBALLERS TO TRIAL UNDER ARSENE WENGER
Professional football coaches and specialists select four South African young guns for the chance of a lifetime to trial under Arsene Wenger in the UK following 10 months of football trials with over 5,000 aspiring footballers
Following an intense two-day football trial under renowned football coaches and specialists at the Football Training Centre in Soweto, Nike South Africa is proud to announce the top four players who have earned the chance of a lifetime to represent the country at The Chance global trials in London next year.
Joining 96 other footballers from 40 countries are: Jonathan King, right back from Durban; Nazan Klaasens, left wing-back from Cape Town; Reyaad Pieterse, goalkeeper from Johannesburg and Khayalethu Nzimande, defensive midfielder from Durban.
From Left: Jonathan King, Nazan Klassens; Khayalethu Nzimande; Reyaad Pieterse
The Nike core team of Eric Tinkler, Shaun Bartlett, Teboho Moloi and Elsa Storm were joined by guest coaches and technical directors including Roger da Sa, Thabo Mngomeni, Muzi Malinga and Mzonzima Xheshisa, who had the challenging task in making the final selection, as the 30 shortlist of youngsters put in a tremendous amount of effort to be noticed and get scouted. The trial included fitness assessments, high level drills, phased and positional play, and small sided games.
“The Chance is an opportunity of a lifetime for these youngsters in helping them realize their dream of playing professional football under the expert guidance of Arsene Wenger. This is a fantastic initiative by Nike to unearth and help nurture young talent,” says Shaun Bartlett.
“What we have seen in the last 10 months alone is testimony that our country is filled with talent – and with this programme we’ve been able to unearth and nurture talented players.”
The four winners will travel to the United Kingdom early next year, where, under the watchful gaze of Arsenal FC coach Arsene Wenger, will vie for a spot in the final eight to be recruited into the Nike Academy – a high performance centre, in the UK – starting in July 2011 for a year.
“We are thrilled with the quality of the players that we are sending to The Chance global trials in the UK to represent the country and we are determined to lend all the support required to these young footballers that will enable them to succeed,” says Seruscka Naidoo, Communications Manager Nike South Africa.
“The Chance is an extension of Nike’s commitment and contribution to youth development in South Africa, and the participation of players in this initiative demonstrates how determined they are to succeed at the highest levels of the game.”
The Nike Academy offers non-contract players unattached to professional clubs a chance to enter the professional game through world-class coaching and games against elite academies and professional reserve teams. Since the academy’s start in 2009, eight players in the UK have received professional contracts.
As members of the Nike Academy, players become full-time participants at a residential training centre in England with access to elite coaches, nutritionists, psychologists and fitness conditioners, along with world class facilities to perform at the highest level.
SOUTH AFRICAN YOUNGSTERS GIVEN THE CHANCE TO TRAIN UNDER ARSENE WENGER
Following ten months of nationwide scouting, the finals for The Chance talent search in South Africa will take place this weekend, the 16th and 17th of October, at the Nike Football Training Centre in Soweto.
35 aspiring young guns from around South Africa have been shortlisted for the Final Trials, and will embark on an intensive two-day programme led by the Nike core team of
Eric Tinkler, Shaun Bartlett, Teboho Moloi, Elsa Storm and Fani Madida.
“Through the course of 2010 alone, Nike has hosted over 5000 aspiring footballers through various programmes including Nike Elite Training, The Nike City Cup and The Chance regional trial events,” says Eric Tinkler. “This is a testament to the commitment that Nike has made towards the youth of South Africa. Inspiring them to believe, and presenting them with opportunities that simply didn’t exist before.”
Earlier this year, Nike and Arsenal FC Manager Arsene Wenger announced the global search for talented footballers to join the Nike Academy, a high performance training programme, supported by the Premier League in England.
Four South African youngsters will embark to the United Kingdom early next year, where, under the watchful gaze of Arsenal FC coach Arsene Wenger, they will fight it out with 96 other aspiring footballers from around the world for one of only eight international places in the Nike Academy. The eight chosen players will have all their expenses paid to live in the UK for a year starting in July 2011 and be a full-time member of the Nike Academy.
“There are very few opportunities for South African youngsters to potentially earn a living from playing Premier League football, the league that is renowned the world over as the best on the planet”, says former Charlton Athletic FC and Bafana Bafana striker Shaun Bartlett. “Nike is offering these youngsters a platform that could change their lives forever and it is up to them to make the most of the opportunity from this point on.”
“We have visited places as far afield as Khayelitsha in the Cape and Cato Manor in Kwa-Zulu Natal in order to unearth the best talent available, and we have succeeded in finding talent”, says Seruscka Naidoo, Communications Manager Nike South Africa. “Ultimately only four boys will progress and the key lies in their skill on-field, tactical knowledge, discipline and focus.”
The Nike Academy offers non-contract players unattached to professional clubs a chance to enter the professional game through world-class coaching and games against elite academies and professional reserve teams. Since the academy’s start in 2009, eight players in the UK have received professional contracts.
As members of the Nike Academy, players become full-time participants at a residential training centre in England with access to elite coaches, nutritionists, psychologists and fitness conditioners, along with world class facilities to perform at the highest level.
NIKE GIVES CAPE TOWN’S FOOTBALL HOPEFULS ANOTHER CHANCE TO GET NOTICED
Nike gives Cape Town’s football hopefuls another opportunity with ‘The Chance’
Nike returns to Cape Town in search of the best young footballers to represent South Africa at the Nike Academy trials in the United Kingdom
Nike’s youth football programme, The Chance, is a global search for talented footballers to get an opportunity to join the Nike Academy, a high performance training programme, supported by the English Premier League, in the United Kingdom.
Locally, Nike set out its search for South Africa’s top young guns in August, with trials already conducted in Johannesburg, and Cape Town. However, the interest from youngsters in Cape Town has increased, and Nike will host a second round of trials for those players who did not get a chance to register in August.
Already more than 300 hopefuls aged 16 and 17 years joined The Chance South Africa trials with football legends-turned-pro-coaches Shaun Bartlett, Eric Tinkler and Tebogo Moloi heading up the scouting.
Nike will be rolling out their final leg of the trials in Durban at the end of September. The player’s who make the grade and get noticed during the regional trials, will be called back for the final trial in Johannesburg. Only four South African players have the chance to slot into the best 100 players from across 40 countries, to join Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger at the UK trials in January 2011, to compete for one of eight international places in the Nike Academy. These eight will have all their expenses paid to live in the UK for a year starting in July 2011 and be a full time member of the Nike Academy.
As members of the Nike Academy, players become full-time participants at a residential training centre in England with access to elite coaches, nutritionists, psychologists and fitness conditioners, along with world class facilities to perform at the highest level.
Date: Sunday, 12 September 2010
Time: 8am until 4pm
Venue: Old Mutual Academy, Mutual Park, Jan Smuts Drive, Pinelands
NIKE THE CHANCE – SOUTH AFRICA NOTICED 3
At the Chance trials, South Africa, hundreds of aspiring footballers had the opportunity to prove their ability to the watching scouts. (We have already had a look at Phathi Sacolo and Simanga Mthembu.)
Bongani Mthembu’s strength, tackling ability and willingness to run down the line makes him a tough defensive opponent and an attacking threat from the back.
To find out more about The Chance check out the feature TRW did here: or visit: http://go.nike.com/TheNoticed
NIKE THE CHANCE – SOUTH AFRICA NOTICED 2
At the Chance trials, South Africa, hundreds of aspiring footballers had the opportunity to prove their ability to the watching scouts. (We have already had a look at Phathi Sacolo here:)
When the competition is relentless as it was at the trials, it’s vital to keep a cool head to perform. Simanga Mthembu’s football brain and close control ensured he kept his.
To find out more about The Chance check out the feature TRW did here: or visit: http://go.nike.com/TheNoticed
NIKE THE CHANCE – SOUTH AFRICA NOTICED
At the Chance trials, South Africa, hundreds of aspiring footballers had the opportunity to prove their ability to the watching scouts.
Phathi Sacolo’s creativity and clever positional play consistently impressed and earned him the right to play at the final trial.
To find out more about The Chance check out the feature TRW did here: or visit: http://go.nike.com/TheNoticed