One common characteristic of our football schools is that, initially, the participants are always unconfident, insecure and unsure about the situation. During the breaks on their first day, they often seek out their friends and find security in little groups. This is a quite natural thing to do, because the kids in our school often have parents who fought a war with each other, and maybe it is the first time they set foot in “enemy territory”. Other children are nervous because it is difficult to relate to the 200 children and adults that are gathered or because they feel technically inferior to their peers on the football pitch.

 

As organisers we must confront this anxiety, insecurity and mistrust, since one of our purposes is indeed to turn these negative emotions into something positive through the ball playing and our specific pedagogical fun football concept. What is important is the playful aspect, the joy derived from playing rather than the results the score or the advancing technical levels. It’s concept where the many exercises and small games are designed so as to make everyone feel successful again and again.