On March 14-16, the National Football Academy (NFA) will receive an important visit from a representative of the academies of the leaders of the "Premier" League from England.
Paul Cheney, who oversees coaching at the Leicester City academy, will fly to Lithuania. On March 14, the guest will introduce the NFA staff to the representative material of the Leicester City club and academy. On Tuesday, P. Cheney will hold a training session for one group of players.
NFA director Raimondas Statkevičius revealed the details of the Englishman's visit to the LFF website, the renewed cooperation between NFA and Leicester City, and relationships with other famous English clubs.
- When did the cooperation with the Leicester City academy begin and on what occasion will their representative visit this time?
- We started being friends a few years ago. As you know, in our first group of players, raised by NFA and graduating in 2013, were Simonas Stankevičius and Tomas Dombrauskis. In recent years, they have been improving at the Leicester City academy. Later, the relationship with the Englishmen broke off, but at the beginning of this year, it was renewed.
Paul Cheney himself wrote to me and took the initiative to come to Lithuania, find time for a visit, present the new philosophy of Leicester City, and evaluate our players. I think we will have a good relationship with them. Given that the entire philosophy and strategy of Leicester City has changed since entering the top division in England and now leading, Paulo's visit will be fruitful.
- How could this visit be relevant to NFA's young footballers and coaches?
- First of all, the aim of this visit is to restore contact. The guest will arrive for three days. His first proposal was to make a presentation to introduce the activities of his club and academy. The second request was to conduct a training session with one group of NFA player mastery. From a motivational aspect, the arrival of a representative from a well-known and leading club in England is a great morale boost for the players with whom he will conduct practical exercises.
It is also a great incentive for coaches to interact with a high-level and highly experienced specialist. It is an opportunity to build strong relationships. I believe that in the future, they could establish close relationships and perhaps there may be a chance for a few players to improve their skills at Leicester City.
- Which foreign club academies does NFA currently have intensive relationships with?
- As I mentioned, Leicester City is interested in the possibility of close cooperation. We have the same opportunity to collaborate with the "Sheffield Wednesday" club in the English Championship - many of our players have visited there and English representatives have visited us. The relationships are not formal, but friendly and professional, and we plan to develop them in the future. We also have relationships with the "Sunderland" club playing in the Premier League, where players regularly go for internships.
The last contact established at the end of last year was with the famous English club Liverpool, but it was more related to inviting players for trials. At the end of March, one of the NFA players will be invited to a trial at the Liverpool academy and will have the opportunity to play a match.
R.Každanas, lff.lt
