Nike Football Great Britain

Nike Academy: Arsenal

DonJulio — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:45:58 GMT

Arsenal. For so long, associated with precocious talent and fearless, attacking football. For the Nike Academy, it was a chance to test themselves against the very best young players in the game. See how they got on.

Follow their journey.

R9: Pra Sempre Fenomeno

DonJulio — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:18:41 GMT

The icon. The teacher. The Phenomenon. Ronaldo defined a new breed of striker and inspired a fresh generation of footballer.

His legacy lives on. The pupils of R9 will never forget: #Prasemprefenomeno

Inside Edge: Gloves On

DonJulio — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 09:48:14 GMT

As the last line of defence, keepers need to work harder than anyone else in pre-season to recover their match sharpness. See how Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny gets back into the game.

Follow Inside Edge to make this the pre-season you Take Every Advantage.

Inside Edge: Punch Above your Weight

DonJulio — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 09:28:21 GMT

Power in the frontline wins games. Pre-season is a vital time for the Manchester United coaches to work with Javier Hernandez to build up his strength for the season.

Follow Inside Edge to make this the pre-season you Take Every Advantage.

Zlatan - A Season for the Ultimate Champion

DonJulio — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:39:03 GMT

8 seasons. 8 years of success.
Zlatan.
A season for the ultimate champion.

Chase Victory Not Fame

DonJulio — Thu, 26 May 2011 08:41:46 GMT

Quiet they roam.
With everything they play.
They chase fame not headlines.

Strike With Fear

DonJulio — Thu, 26 May 2011 08:32:33 GMT

Create the space.
Finish the chance.
And strike with fear.

Defend By Attack

DonJulio — Wed, 25 May 2011 16:04:16 GMT

Perfect timing at the back.
Lighting speed going Forward.
Who will Defend by attack.#

Lead The Charge

DonJulio — Wed, 25 May 2011 08:46:31 GMT

Champions of their leagues. Hungry for more.
One will lead the charge to claim glory for their team.

Ryan James gets signed by Oxford United

DonJulio — Thu, 05 May 2011 15:35:27 GMT

Scouts are always on the lookout and Ryan James has proved he’s ready to step up to the next level. After a number of impressive performances, the strong centre back has earned a pro contract with Oxford United.

Congratulations Ryan.

Nike Academy v Walsall

DonJulio — Wed, 04 May 2011 15:38:23 GMT

With only six weeks to go, the lads know every chance is crucial. And with Academy head coach, and now Saddlers’ manager, Dean Smith watching from the sidelines, it was a great opportunity to open the door to a pro contract.

Watch the film and follow the season on Facebook.com/nikeacademy.

Player Profile: Callum Whittaker, Centre Back

DonJulio — Wed, 04 May 2011 15:31:28 GMT

Callum was born to lead. And now wearing the Nike Academy captain’s armband, he continues to rise to his own high standards.

“Every club I’ve played for has made me captain. I guess it helps that I can’t keep my mouth shut. But I’m good at organising the backline when the pressure’s on and I love being in the heart of the action. I just get stuck-in and help my teammates.” Callum’s strong leadership is especially impressive due to his late start in the game.

“I was eight when my mate asked me to join a youth team with him. He quit after the first training session and although I hadn’t been interested in football before, that’s where it all began for me. I never looked back.”

Within a year of discovering football Callum was spotted by Leyton Orient. He then signed a contract at one of the top Premier League clubs, followed by stints at Ipswich Town and Southend. Not only has he captained at club level, but he’s also led Northern Ireland’s under-19s to a win against Malta.

Callum now relishes raising his game with the Nike Academy. “The set-up here is really professional. The coaches and facilities are amazing and that’s what we need to build our game and get scouted.

“I play to be the balance in my team. I might not be the fastest or most skillful player but I will make a big noise and get the lads in order when it’s needed.”

Keep up with Callum leading the way for the Nike Academy on Facebook.com/nikeacademy.

Player Profile: Ryan James, Centre Back

DonJulio — Mon, 02 May 2011 15:24:14 GMT

Anything can happen in football. When Ryan James arrived at the Nike Academy he was a promising striker, but things soon changed.

“There were quite a few strikers in the first session, so they asked me to play Centre Back. I’d played there before, just as cover, but I fancied a new challenge.” The Academy coaches immediately spotted Ryan’s potential.

Then, someone else saw something in the newly converted defender. “I had a trial for Stockport and it went really well. They asked me to train with them, but I got injured and couldn’t go. Then the Academy game came up. As I was getting off the coach, they asked if I wanted to play for Stockport that day. I wasn’t about to turn that down.

“Playing against my teammates was a bit weird at first, but I just got on with it and really enjoyed the game. Hopefully I did enough to impress them. My main aim was to keep it simple and not make any mistakes. That’s what they preach at the Academy.”

Ryan feels his game has come on a lot with the Academy. “There’s a really good mix of coaches. They all play different positions, Dean’s been really great at giving me defending advice, but you’ve also got Goody for the strikers and Nas for the midfielders.

“I also watch Rio Ferdinand’s game. I’m a little similar to him as we both like to play from the back. It’s not a case of just hoofing it clear. I like to try and get the team moving.”

Follow Ryan's progress on Facebook.com/nikeacademy to see what happens next.

Player Profile: Chase O’Neil, Attacking Midfield

DonJulio — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 15:20:12 GMT

Chase knows all about hitting the ground running. Joining the Nike Academy midway through the season, the promising midfielder was immediately thrust into a tantalising trip to Paris Saint-Germain.

“There was no time for nerves. Once the whistle blew, I had to focus and get on with the job,” says Chase. With the scores locked at 0-0 and just five minutes left, a relentless PSG refused to budge. But when the ball broke to Chase inside the area, he fired home the winner.

This kind of performance has proved typical from a player who’s quickly become one of the Academy’s most consistent match-day performers. And it’s this kind of test Chase relishes: “Everything’s different in game situations, the level, the competition. The more you play the better you become.”

Chase’s hunger to play began as a child. “I’ve had a football at my feet for as long as I can remember. I’ve never wanted to do anything else.” This obsession paid off, helping Chase into West Ham’s youth setup and then on to an impressive scholarship with a top Premier League club when he was 16.

After getting into the Nike Academy, Chase is relishing his opportunity. “The Academy is giving me the exposure I need to get scouted and go professional. That’s obviously what I train for. The coaches are really helping me improve in the number 10 role. It’s all about being that crucial link between the midfield and the striker. When I watch players like Rafael van der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder in that position, it inspires me to perform like them.”

Follow Chase’s progress on Facebook.com/nikeacademy and see how far his passion takes him.

Player Profile: Ryan Palmer, Winger

DonJulio — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:15:55 GMT

“I’m a bit of a confidence player. When I’m up, no-one can touch me. But when I’m a bit down I need to work hard to get my belief back. My challenge at the Academy is to be consistently confident.”

For Ryan, getting his head right is key to earning a regular place. “I’ve been sub a few times which is fine, but I want to be consistently earning that shirt. So if my confidence is down I need to be professional and keep working hard.

“The Academy has been really great at helping me build the mentality side of my game. Particularly Huw, as he’s my mentor. He’s helped me work on focusing before the game. What works for me is a bit of a mix bag – having a laugh with the boys, listening to music, tuning everything else out and picturing the game.

“Before the match I go onto the pitch and visualise the game, set my goals – what I’m going to with the ball when I first get it, what passes I’m going to look for. That motivates me helps me decide how I’ll play the rest of the game.”

But if he needs the ultimate motivation, this attacking winger never needs to look very far. “Watching football on TV always gets me really pumped and ready to play. I’ll often go to the gym straight after a game to keep that motivation buzzing.”

Follow the remainder of the season on Facebook.com/nikeacademy to see if he makes it.