I’m now in the “window of opportunity” for people seriously considering a professional sports career.
This plan will help me pursue my goal, as long as I choose to keep the dream alive.
Date:
January 2007, renewed August 2008, August 2009, August 2010
Goal:
To convert my experience as a professional soccer apprentice at Dundee FC into a first-team professional contract by the time I'm 19.
Partners:
Danny; parents and family; coaches; school teachers
Parent/Family basic tasks
- help Danny keep the fun in playing
- constructively encourage Danny in pursuit of the goal but remember that he owns this goal
- avoid being intrusive in relationships with coaches and recruiters
- provide emotional and moral support as long as the goal continues
- provide physical well-being (e.g. feeding, clothing, housing)
- provide on-going financial backing for equipment, league play, camps, tryouts, and trips, as long as Danny carries out his own tasks to the satisfaction of the partners
- every year, evaluate (with Danny) progress towards the goal
- work with other partners to facilitate Danny’s objectives, and evaluate his progress
- keep checking to make sure the joy is still there … even when things aren’t going well
- be diligent, hardworking, and of good character, in pursuit of the goal
- keep time for non-soccer activity, and be vigilant for soccer burn-out
- be willing to examine and recognize weaknesses (and strengths!) in technique and attitude
- respond constructively to the advice (on field and off) of coaches and teachers
- fulfill obligations at school, and within family and community
- explore ideas for “Plan B” i.e. what Danny will do as an alternative to the present goal, or (after graduation from high school) while he continues to pursue his goal
- keep perspective on non-goal interests
- while continuing to enjoy soccer on TV, study professional games for insights into technique and style
- look for opportunities to watch goalkeepers work in person
- use video analysis to enhance learning and training
- list and address technical (i.e. soccer) weaknesses, in consultation with coaches
- maintain sleep and nutrition regimes consistent with a high-performance athlete
- with a personal trainer (or someone recommended by the partners), establish a goalkeeper-specific weight-training regime
- explore cross-training opportunities (e.g. gymnastics, dance, basketball)
- take a short course on meditation and stress management to help with focus
- look for opportunities to train and play in soccer centers on the Mainland, in North America, and in Europe
- develop strategies for middle-term tasks
Danny’s Specific middle-term tasks (i.e. 1-3 years from now)
- successfully complete two-year professional apprenticeship at Dundee FC
- secure a first-team professional contract
