Professional football careers are exceptionally hard to come by, especially in Europe where most of the world’s best players are.
Two of Cayman’s best teenagers – Jamaal Seymour and Martin Webb – were selected by Dutch master coach Roy Wilhelm last year for a trip to Holland to gain experience at a higher level and they enjoyed their two weeks immensely.
Coach Ernie “Gillie” Seymour, Jamaal’s father, who is technical director of Cayman Athletic, went along, too. Apart from the freezing, sometimes snowy weather, nothing but positives came out of it for the three.
“It was an excellent opportunity for and myself to travel to Holland to be exposed to football at a higher level and a different culture,” Gillie said.
“Jamaal and Martin trained and practiced with NAC Breda and Willem II youth teams, two of Holland’s oldest and respected clubs.
“Jamaal and Martin were evaluated by the scouts and coaches there. They now have a clear insight of the criteria to play football at the top level.”
It was not rocket science, but emphasised every aspect of their lives to maximise their potential. That included learning to play at a faster pace mentally and physically, being punctual for training and matches, going to bed at a reasonable time, say 10pm latest, to get sufficient rest to be fully energised to work hard and think clearly the next day.”
Young Seymour, 16, and Webb, 17, also learned the importance of eating properly to get the right nutrients, not smoking and drinking alcohol and just being in good physical condition to be able to perform repetitively for the duration of training sessions and matches without losing their form due to fatigue.
“How to adapt to the cold weather, which is a big factor for players coming from a hot climate was another thing they had to deal with,” said Gillie.
“It was also an excellent opportunity for me as a coach to be exposed to one of the great football nations and their culture.
“Holland has one of the best youth development football programmes in the world. They have produced some of the greatest players and coaches of the beautiful game.
“I’ve read a couple books and watched a few videos of Dutch football and have implemented some of their methods and ideas in my programmes over the years and have achieved some success in doing so.
“Getting this opportunity to experience it in person was a plus for me. Now, I can tell my players what it is like to live and play football in a country like that.
“I was also given the opportunity to coach Willem II’s U-14 team for one practice session and was shown a lot of respect by the players and coaches.
“Jamaal, Martin, myself and our families would like to say thank you to coach Wilhelm and the Dutch Soccer School for giving us this opportunity and extending his hospitality to us during our stay in Holland,” he said.
“This opportunity came about as a result of his expert evaluation of the boys while conducting his football camps in Grand Cayman and his vast connection, status and respect that he has in the football fraternity in Holland.
“Finally, we would like to thank all the people who sponsored and made a contribution towards the trip. Their generosity and commitment to the development of our youths and their future endeavours is tremendous.”
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