The St George's Park National Football Centre thread

The Guardian · Oct 9, 2012

And radio 5 are broadcasting from there now from 9.00am.

timh19 · Oct 10, 2012

The Guardian · Oct 14, 2012

I checked to see if this suject was on the SSN special report on Monday 7.30pm.
It is!

zXen · Oct 14, 2012

'I didn't have enough experience': Southgate reveals why he rejected FA role

'I didn’t feel that at my age and with only three years managerial experience at Middlesbrough that I had that standing' says former England pro

Gareth Southgate has explained why he rejected one of the most prestigious jobs in English football to re join the cut-throat world of club management.

The former England defender looked certain to fill the high profile role as FA technical director, but turned it down.

And for the first time he has revealed his reasons.

Southgate said: “Firstly, it should be somebody more experienced in coaching.

“When Howard Wilkinson had the job, no-one could argue. He had won the league title with Leeds and he had great credibility.

“I didn’t feel that at my age – 42 – and with only three years managerial experience at Middlesbrough that I had that standing.

“I didn’t want to commit to something that was going to be for three or four years when I didn’t feel the FA control youth development. The Premier League do.

“I don’t think that is ideal. The Technical Director would be seen as being accountable for players coming through with no influence over that process. I had an issue with that.

“I am somebody that likes to take their time over important decisions. I like to weigh up all the facts.

“As I did that, I saw more reasons not to take it than to take it. But don’t mis-understand me – the 18 months I had with the FA was a great education.

“I saw how the game was run at the highest level and was given a great insight into coaching.”

Southgate travelled extensively during his time with the FA and saw how the game was run in Europe.

He visited Spain, Switzerland and Germany among many countries – and he is now ready to return to club management. “I have had offers, but when the right one comes along, I’ll know,” said Southgate, whose coaching tasks at the moment concern the Under-10 team in north Yorkshire where his son Flynn plays.

He insisted: “That’s a good test. Why? Because the attention span of kids is not great, so you have to be spot on with all the sessions.”

Southgate is under contract as a TV pundit until the end of the season, but in the long-term, management has a genuine appeal – despite the demoralising experience of getting the sack at Middlesbrough.

He added: “Looking back, I was grateful that Steve [Gibson, Boro chairman]gave me the chance to go into management.

“But I didn’t have enough understanding of coaching. I was looking at the game as a player, not a coach. Now I’ve had the chance to study coaching a bit more.”
Click to expand...

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/gareth-southgate-reveals-why-he-turned-down-1377373

zXen · Nov 8, 2012

U18s Goalkeeping Camp At St. George's Park

Talented young English goalkeepers were put through their paces at an Under 18s goalkeeping camp at St. George’s Park this week.

Martin Thomas, FA National Youth Goalkeeping Coach, worked with talented young stoppers from around the country at the invite only two-day residential camp. A series of practical sessions designed to measure their progress and development were conducted.

“Some people say it is about best versus best; some people see it as a trial, but we see it more as getting the goalkeepers together and working with them closely for two days,” explained Thomas, who also works with the goalkeepers in the England U21 set-up.

“For myself and Simon Smith (FA Assistant Youth Goalkeeping Coach), it is extremely useful for us to see them and see how they are progressing.”

The camp is focused on assessing and developing the young keepers’ core goalkeeping abilities, with the coaches delivering a series of exercises and drills designed to challenge their skill and technique.

“What we do with them is the same as what they will do at their clubs, but what is different on this camp is that it is purely goalkeeping.

"When they go on the general development camps with the outfield players the content is based more on the philosophy of them as goalkeepers within international football teams.

“Here, they will do some general handling, shot stopping, distribution and dealing with crosses.

“[On day two] they will work on speed reaction and again shot stopping practices but in a different format, and then in the afternoon we will do some small sided games.”

Another aim of the camp is to strengthen the social bonds between the goalkeepers so when they do go on international duty, they are comfortable travelling, working and playing together.

Thomas added: “Some of them have been coming for a couple of years now and they really enjoy it.

“The social aspect of meeting up with one another and getting together is important.

“It makes it easier for them when you take them on the road because they know each other and have worked with each other. There is a mutual respect.”

Eight goalkeepers were involved in the Goalkeeping Camp:

George Willis, Sheffield United

Cameron Dawson, Sheffield Wednesday

Luke Coddington, Middlesbrough

Alex Palmer, West Brom

Callum Burton, Shrewbury Town

Ryan Huddart, Arsenal

Ted Smith, Southend United

Freddie Woodman, Newcastle United
Click to expand...

http://www.thefa.com/News/st-georges-park/2012/nov/under-18s-gk-camp

I'm glad that we have started using the St. George’s Park this way. Even if the training camp is for a couple of days, it's a good use of the facility.

zXen · Mar 1, 2013

Ashworth starts FA role

The FA's new Director Of Elite Development will start his role on Monday

Dan Ashworth will start his new role as The FA’s Director of Elite Development on Monday, after leaving his current role at West Bromwich Albion today.

Ashworth, 41, has left the Midlands club - where he was Sporting and Technical Director - to take up a new position at St. George’s Park.

He will oversee delivery of the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) for The FA, in particular through the management of The FA’s coach education team. He will also take responsibility for The FA’s high performance strategy and women’s elite performance unit.

Reflecting on his new role at the national football centre, Ashworth said: “I am really excited about the opportunity as it has been a lifelong goal to work for The FA.

“Over the last few months I have been able to look at the excellent work The FA and the England teams are doing from afar and I’ll hope to be able to add to that.

"With the inception of EPPP and with St. George’s Park having opened, the future of the English game is positive. Personally, I am very excited to be part of it and I look forward to working with a talented team of staff.”

The FA’s General Secretary Alex Horne added: “Dan will play an important role for us as we seek to continue to develop football at Elite level across our England teams and across club football in both the men’s and women’s game.

“Dan is able to bring a wealth of experience in areas such as youth development and he has good contacts across the professional game, which is important for us as we look to improve our relationships with clubs.

“I would like to thank West Bromwich Albion for their professionalism during this process.”

FA Director of Football Development, Sir Trevor Brooking added: “As a key member of my leadership team, Dan will be based at St. George’s Park where he will play an influential role in helping us maximise the potential and expectations which have emerged since its opening.

“He will help me evolve an expanded football development staff structure which can support the different demands of the modern game. His impact at West Bromwich Albion was clearly evident and can bring us much closer to the needs of his professional colleagues.”
Click to expand...

http://www.thefa.com/News/2013/mar/dan-ashworth-starts-fa-role-010313.aspx

Interesting that Ashworth has arrived sooner than expected then. Just a shame he isn't the Technical Director.

zXen · Mar 1, 2013

It appears that Ashworth will be available to Albion on a one-day-a-week consultancy basis until the summer.

Dan Ashworth will today bring an end to his nine year stint with Albion after the Baggies reached a deal for him to start working with the FA from Monday.

It means the 41-year-old will leave his post as Sporting & Technical Director and begin his new role as The Football Association’s Director of Elite Development.

But as part of a compromise agreement Ashworth will be available to Albion on a one-day-a-week consultancy basis until the summer.
Click to expand...

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/spo...ews/west-bromwich-albion-announce-dan-1691476

Jenks · Mar 2, 2013

zXen said: ↑

http://www.thefa.com/News/2013/mar/dan-ashworth-starts-fa-role-010313.aspx

Interesting that Ashworth has arrived sooner than expected then. Just a shame he isn't the Technical Director.
Click to expand...

It sounded like the Technical Director role was more that of a diplomat than anything else, I suspect his role will be more substantive than that.

zXen · Mar 2, 2013

A TD role is not just a diplomacy role if done properly. Ashworth is going to have plenty to do anyway, he sought guarentees before accepting the job.

sendorange · Mar 3, 2013

Well he has a good relationship with Hodgson and his record at club level is very competent. Good to see him starting right away ,we need more people like this in key roles instead of the old boy network of ex-pros.

zXen · Jun 21, 2013

FA director of elite development Dan Ashworth takes long-term approach to England team revival

Dan Ashworth, the Football Association’s director of elite development, flies out to Turkey on Saturday to watch England’s latest young hopefuls in the Under-20 World Cup.

Given the frenzied debate about playing standards and the shortage of opportunities in the foreigner-filled English game, Ashworth will take the opportunity to strengthen links with the Premier League and its director of youth development, Ged Roddy, who will also be in Turkey.
“One of my roles is to help the Premier League the Football League and grassroots ‘upskill’ their coaches and that transfers to ‘upskilling’ players,’’ reflected Ashworth, sitting in Roy Hodgson’s office at St George’s Park. “When you look back at the likes of Chris Waddle and Paul Gascoigne, we always would have a series of match-winners in our teams, technical players. Without being disrespectful to our current players, we are now further behind some other nations and we have to make sure that gap decreases. We have to have a more technically-based game and players who are more comfortable on the ball.

“I see my job as giving Roy [Hodgson] a bigger and better pool of players so if Wayne Rooney can’t play, no problem. My job and the job of everyone at St George’s Park – whether you are canteen staff or grassroots coach – is to help England win. It’s the NASA thing, isn’t it? What’s your job? It’s to put the man on the moon.

“Whether the seniors qualify for Brazil or not I don’t think is relevant. Of course, we want them to qualify, it’s so important for us as a nation, for what will be a fantastic World Cup in a great footballing nation, but I don’t think that’s going to make or break this building or this plan.’’

This building is St George’s Park, the coaching hub in training up more coaches to nurture more skilful youngsters. This plan is the Elite Player Performance Plan which Roddy is implementing and which Ashworth believes is central to England’s long-term revival.

“My vision, my dream, is there’s a philosophy on how we play the game from the cradle to the grave,’’ continued Ashworth. “My passion is for players all round the pitch to be able to deal with the ball, so our back players start attacks, step into midfield, and overload midfield when it’s right.

“It’s for full-backs to get forward. It’s for midfield players who can rotate, who can deal with the ball under pressure, can score and create and it’s for exciting, creative front players.

“We have to change years and years and years of ingrained habits of encouraging children to smash the ball up the pitch, applauding when they smash it further and longer. We have to avoid criticising when children try skills. We have to do this as a nation, do this together. There are 60 million people involved in this: media, supporters, parents, coaches, players, everybody.

“Do we breed tough individuals as a nation? We have non-competitive sports-days. It’s not just football. But we can’t say this is just a society problem, a technical problem, tactical problem, psychological, physical, tournament or penalties problem. There isn’t just one thing preventing us from winning a World Cup. There’s no magic wand to win the World Cup. We are looking at everything.

“We’d all like our full-backs to be 6ft 2in, run like the wind, great on the ball, defend the far post, to be able to head it, be able to defend, be mentally resilient, athletically fantastic, always fit, tactically astute, but the perfect player doesn’t always come along. Ashley Cole is 5ft 9in. That’s OK. We’ll sacrifice a few inches on our full-backs.”

Cole is worth it, being England’s most consistent performer over the past decade. Ashworth wants to develop more players willing to take more responsibility. “That’s part of my remit. We are in the process of restructuring.’’

Ashworth is interviewing for a head of performance services to work on the physical and mental resilience of players across all England age-groups yet he also defends their mettle.

“It’s unfair to our players if you say they’re mentally weaker than German players.” Yet Thomas Müller skewered England in the 2010 World Cup at the same age, 20, that Wilfried Zaha under-performed at the Euro Under-21s.

Are German players mentally tougher?’’ countered Ashworth. “On what basis do you judge that? If penalties are your only criteria of mental toughness, then maybe I’d agree but the Premier League is a more intense, pressurised league than the Bundesliga. Wayne Rooney has more worldwide exposure than Bastian Schweinsteiger. The huge global exposure of our players is frightening. They can’t do anything without a series of cameras and reporters around them. That takes an awful amount of mental toughness.

“There is a perception that everything is rosy in the German garden. It isn’t. They’re going through a cycle where they’ve a good group of players but they have the same frustrations as here: societal changes, players having ‘too much too soon’, making sure they work closely with clubs.’’

A naturally upbeat and highly energetic character, Ashworth believes England can challenge for tournaments. “I’m so optimistic about the future because everyone has the same success criteria: Premier League, Football League, the FA, managers, supporters, every one wants English players. Yes, you can go and get a 26-year-old from Chile. It would be hypocritical for me to say ‘no, no you should never shop abroad’. I’ve done it as a technical director at West Brom where our budget meant we had to fish in other pools.

“Go and fish worldwide but actually the best answer to the problem is sitting there in your academy, in your 21s, is out on loan at Middlesbrough in the case of Josh McEachran. Chelsea have 23 players on loan. Spurs have had a good loan programme, Steven Caulker and Danny Rose in the past. Bring those players into the first team. Managers have to be convinced English players are the best option. We have to make sure they are.”

“I get on really well with Ged Roddy and with David Wetherall, from the Football League. We all want home-grown players coming through. We’ll work together.

“In my first three months in job, I’ve been amazed and enthused by the messages of support from managers, coaches, the two leagues. They are desperate to win.

“We have got some good young players: the likes of Wilshere, Welbeck, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jones, Smalling, Butland. The whole point of youth teams is to get players into Roy’s senior team. If Oxlade-Chamberlain went and contributed so fantastically in Brazil, then great. Of course I do have sympathy for Stuart Pearce. If you take a manager’s best six or seven players away, it’s very difficult.”

And so to Turkey. “I’ve spoken to Peter Taylor, the Under-20s coach, several times. He’s pleased with the players but a word of warning: Stuart was saying the same thing, that everything was very good in the build-up to the Under-21s.” Ashworth’s work has only just begun.
Click to expand...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...ng-term-approach-to-England-team-revival.html

zXen · Jun 21, 2013

So Ashworth is currently interviewing for a head of performance services to work on the physical and mental resilience of players across all England age-groups. Sounds like an interesting development...

zXen · Jul 17, 2013

Club to Country
FA makes key appointments to St. George's Park technical staff

The FA has expanded its new elite development team at St. George's Park with the appointment of three player development specialists from across the professional game.

Dan Ashworth, The FA’s Head of Elite Development, has expanded his team with a number of technical lead appointments in the area of young player development, as well as introducing new staff to key coach education and performance service positions.

Based at the national football centre in Burton upon Trent and joining The FA from Southampton where he was Academy Manager, Matthew Crocker has been appointed to the role of Head of Coach and Player development.

Dan Micciche has joined from MK Dons to take the post of 12-16 technical lead, a key position to enhance the strategy for young players in England. Micciche has been an integral part of the rise of the flourishing MK Dons’ Academy set-up having previously worked at Tottenham Hotspur.

Neil Dewsnip will become technical lead for the key 17-21 age group. He has moved from Everton where he was head of coaching with responsibility for overseeing the player development of the Toffees’ 9-21 year old players and the performance and results of all age groups and technical staff.

“It has long been said that St. George’s Park will only ever be as good as the people who will work here, making a difference to English football," said Ashworth. "That is true and these appointments underline this.

“I’m genuinely excited by the appointment of Neil, Matthew and Dan. They each bring a wealth of experience with them, but just as importantly they are innovators and are absolutely grounded in young player development.

“They are respected in the professional game and as we continue to develop our relationships all three will be vitally important to develop and support our aims and ambitions.”

The FA will also shortly announce a new Head of Performance Services, overseeing disciplines such as analysis and sports science.
Click to expand...

http://www.thefa.com/News/st-georges-park/2013/jul/sgp-appointments-170713.aspx

Matthew Crocker:
http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/crocker-set-for-top-fa-role-921953.aspx

Dan Micciche:
http://www.mkdons.com/news/article/micciche-to-join-the-fa-919978.aspx

Neil Dewsnip:
http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/2013/07/17/dewsnip-makes-fa-switch

These are impressive additions are to SGP. I'm a very big fan of Dan Micciche especially.

ATRIYA KOP BANIK · Jul 18, 2013

zXen said: ↑

http://www.thefa.com/News/st-georges-park/2013/jul/sgp-appointments-170713.aspx

Matthew Crocker:
http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/crocker-set-for-top-fa-role-921953.aspx

Dan Micciche:
http://www.mkdons.com/news/article/micciche-to-join-the-fa-919978.aspx

Neil Dewsnip:
http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/2013/07/17/dewsnip-makes-fa-switch

These are impressive additions are to SGP. I'm a very big fan of Dan Micciche especially.
Click to expand...

some excellent additions imo.. a massive bit of intent shown by English FA.. quite excited about the appointment of Dan Micciche & Matthew Crocker..

Jenks · Jul 19, 2013

So when they say technical leads for these age groups, what do they actually mean? What sort of thing will their jobs entail?

zXen · Jul 19, 2013

Hopefully once they join up with the FA their roles will become clearer.

Jenks · Jul 19, 2013

Dan Ashworth on Talksport next.

The Guardian · Jul 19, 2013

Jenks said: ↑

Dan Ashworth on Talksport next.
Click to expand...

Missed it. Anything worth repeating?

Jenks · Jul 19, 2013

He just talked about how we need to install a philosophy, how he'll be getting sports science/psychologists/medicine together to make improvements, and also that the three coaches he's just hired won't be the last. I'm probably forgetting some stuff but it's mostly things we already knew about.

The Guardian · Jul 19, 2013

Ta. I just heard a replay of a clip. He's really, really optimistic.
That's better than just really optimistic.

Jenks · Jul 20, 2013

Another thing I just remembered, he seemed to be implying that clubs could only take foreign kids over the age of 16, but that doesn't sound like it can be true. I may have misheard that.

kent paul · Aug 4, 2013

Jenks said: ↑

Another thing I just remembered, he seemed to be implying that clubs could only take foreign kids over the age of 16, but that doesn't sound like it can be true. I may have misheard that.
Click to expand...

You heard right because he said that clubs won't be able to move kids over from Europe till they are 16

zXen · Aug 7, 2013

Nice to see another good appointment by Ashworth:

Dave Reddin joins The FA

Dave Reddin, one of the management team that helped England win the Rugby World Cup in 2003 has today been appointed Head of Performance Services by The FA.

Reddin, who joins The FA to oversee the newly developed Performance Services Unit at St. George's Park, was awarded an MBE in 2004 as well as being inducted into the UK Sport Coaching Hall of Fame.

As well as being an integral part of Sir Clive Woodward's England rugby management team, in 2012 Reddin also held the role of Director of Performance Services for Team GB at the hugely successful London Olympics.

Based at St. George's Park Reddin, aged 44, will oversee a number of disciplines including sport science, medical, performance analysis, psychology and physiotherapy. Reporting in to Dan Ashworth team, Reddin will also work closely with the managing Director of Club England, Adrian Bevington, and his wider Club England team.

Dan Ashworth, Director of Elite Development, praised the appointment, saying: "Dave is synonymous with success across a number of sporting disciplines.

"His role is pivotal in the delivery of vital services that support our England teams and the wider game.

"The team at St. George's Park is developing and growing into its environment - but it is important we continue to bring the facilities to life through quality and credible personnel."

Reddin added: "I’m delighted to be joining the FA at such an exciting time in its development. The FA is committed to change and to becoming leaders in the football world. With the opening of St. George's Park there are new opportunities to enhance and improve all of the services we deliver to our athletes.

"My focus will be on raising the standards and consistency of performance services across all national teams, underpinned by the latest research and innovation. Capturing and translating this knowledge to inform the development of the next generation of coaches will also be a key role.

"The staff I will be working alongside have great experience and I am sure we'll continue to build on their current work with innovative and fresh ideas."

Reddin's role - which is integral within Ashworth's team - will strongly link to the performance of the England teams, which his staff will work with to create new tournament strategies aimed at increasing success.

Research and development within each of the core performance service disciplines is a further key part of the wider role along with consistency of world class delivery to our national teams and coach education courses.

He will join The FA early in February 2014.
Click to expand...

http://www.thefa.com/News/st-georges-park/2013/2013/aug/reddin-joins-the-fa

Jenks · Aug 7, 2013

Been impressed with how Ashworth has handled himself. He seems to be taking his time and chasing excellence for every position.

zXen · Sep 30, 2013

Rigg joins The FA

Mike Rigg appointed as Head of Talent Identification by The Football Association

The FA can confirm that Mike Rigg has been appointed as Head of Talent Identification.

The role will be full-time for the first time, and Rigg will start on a permanent basis in January 2014.

Encompassing both Men's and Women's national teams, Rigg will oversee and align talent identification at all age groups, co ordinate opposition analysis and devise a talent identification pathway.

FA Director of Elite Development Dan Ashworth said: "I'm delighted that Mike will be joining us, he brings a wealth of experience and will be an asset to the Organisation moving forward.

"It was a long and extensive interview process, but in Mike we have someone with a unique and varied background. He has experienced working in academies, national associations and recently was part of the Manchester City team that won the Premier League.

"Talent identification is a broad and significant area, and that’s why it’s important we have someone with Mike’s ability to pull everything together.”

Rigg said: "I'm looking forward to joining Dan's team and being part of something very intriguing.

"Working with the national coaches to identify future talent and how best we can bring those players through is extremely important for English football, and it's something I'm excited to be part of.

"I hope that I can bring my experience and knowledge and have a positive impact for many years to come."

Rigg was previously Technical Director at the Welsh FA, Academy Manager at Sheffield Wednesday, Chief Scout at Blackburn Rovers, Technical Director for Manchester City, and most recently Queen's Park Rangers.

http://www.thefa.com/News/2013/sep/...dentification-the-fa.aspx#GJzzuPHDpt57MlkA.99

Another impressive appointnant by Ashworth, a role we have needed at the FA for a long time.