The day Real Madrid came to Heacham Minors FC

Exciting times for Heacham FC

Real Madrid sent two of their top coaches to humble Heacham Football Club on Monday, 3rd April. Sixty four budding young footballers - the majority from across Heacham’s youth set ups - turned up to experience football, the Real Madrid way.

From left: Victor Lopez Pacheco and Eduardo Sánchez Torres

Top coaches Victor Lopez Pacheco and Eduardo Sánchez Torres were on hand with a team of coaches from Coerver, who manage the day, to put the 7 to 15 year old boys and girls through their paces and show them how it's done at the Spanish giant’s academy.

This monumental day all came about due to Heacham Minors FC’s recent tie up with Coerver. This football clinic was the first of several being organised around the country. Coerver - inspired by legendary Dutch coach, Wiel Coerver - is a globally recognised total club development programme powered by the world’s number 1 soccer skills training method. Coerver use coaches from top clubs across Europe, including Real Madrid, Manchester United and AC Milan, to implement their methods.

Rick Gower, Director of Football at Heacham Minors FC, who initiated the tie up with Coerver, was delighted, saying, “the importance of applying these unique training methods is beneficial to the players and clubs long term”. Experienced in introducing semi and ex professional footballers back into the game in New Zealand, Rick has a real passion for the Coerver method, understanding it’s importance in improving training techniques to enhance player rehabilitation as well as applying it’s ethos into youth football.

All donned in their Real Madrid kits, the youngsters all listened intently at the start of the day as Victor enthused, “we want to introduce you all to the Real Madrid way and bring our ideology and values into your training techniques. Enjoy”.
Already a successful season for all the Heacham junior teams, this experience can do nothing but improve their game. The U13’s girls team have already responded to an early season defeat to top their division whilst the U10’s are successfully punching above their weight, competing at an age level above.

Each participant also received a Real Madrid bag, pin and certificate. One thing is for sure, this day will live long in the memory for these youngsters, if not for a lifetime.

Meanwhile, Heacham FC have recovered from their recent defeat from their main challengers for the title, Downham Market FC. Winning their next two games Heacham have now leap frogged their closest rivals to return to top the Thurlow Nunn Division One North Division. Automatic promotion is now back in The Magpies’ own hands with just six games to go.

Images: Ian Burt

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