In the Spotlight...

It's December and time for a new Spotlight feature! This month we meet The Charlesworth-Bannister boys. Jacob, Louie and Harry all attend Academy sessions, meaning they and their parents spend 3 hours with us every Saturday. They tell us what makes them tick at HFSA below:
1. How old are you? ~ Jacob 10, Louie 7, Harry 4
2. Tell us about you and your family: ~ We are a family of 5. Life is very busy but we always make time for HFSA every Saturday!
3. Who is your favourite football team? ~ Jacob & Louie both agree on Barcelona!
4. Who is your favourite footballer? ~ Jabob - Neymar. Louie - Messi
5. How did you first hear about Hull Football Skills Academy? ~ From Owen himself. We first met him at Brazillian Soccer and followed him to the Academy
6. When did you start your football journey with the Academy? ~ From the very first week, when Owen started his new business HFSA!
7. What made you stick with HFSA? ~ Jacob, Louie & Harry all say - It’s fun. We enjoy the skills and matches. Owen helps us if we can’t do something. Louie & Harry add - We like Tom too. He helps us
8. Do you play football in a team? ~ Jacob - Yes. Hessle Sporting Tigers. Louie - I am desperate to find a team!
9. Do you have any other hobbies? ~ Jacob - Coding/Computers, Table tennis. Louie - Table tennis, Swimming. Harry - Swimming
10. What do you think is the best part of your academy sessions? ~ Jacob - Matches and Shooting. Louie - Skills and Matches. Harry - I like playing games. All - We like getting ‘Legend of the Week' and we have met some very good friends from attending HFSA (Jacob and Daniel Gray). We look forward to seeing them and others too
11. What is your favourite football skill, and can you do it? ~ Jacob - Maradona turn & Rainbow flick – I can do Maradona turn when playing but I can only do a Rainbow flick in training when stood still. Louie - Rainbow flick but I can’t do it yet! Harry - Scoring and Dabbing LOL!!
12. What other activities would you like to see at HFSA? ~ Louie - I would like a trophy and medal & certificate at the end of the term!
13. What advice would you give to someone new wanting to join us? ~ Jacob - Just turn up with the appropriate footwear and shin pads! Louie - It’s difficult at first but when you get the hang of it, it’s easy! Owen shows us the skills first and then we have a go. Harry -It’s fun!
We asked Mum Emma and Dad Simon if they wanted to add anything. They said: Owen is a brilliant coach! He has the skills and knowledge to teach the children. He develops their confidence, both physically and socially. He has a firm but fair approach with the children and he always makes the sessions interesting and fun. We attend all three sessions on a Saturday; each session matches the age and ability of our children. The children and parents that attend HFSA are very friendly too. We would definitely recommend the Academy to others!
Massive thanks go to the Charlesworth-Bannister family. It's always a pleasure to see the boys and their beaming smiles, week in and out. We also love that it's a real family affair. Keep up the hard work, boys!

In the Spotlight...

Welcome to the November issue of In the Spotlight. This month we chatted to our budding coach Tom Molino! Tom gives up three hours of his time every Saturday. He spends two hours voluteering with Owen and the other hour he is busy training himself - what a star! See what he has to tell us below:
1. How old are you? ~ 15
2. Tell us about you and your family ~ I was born in Holland, my Dad is Italian, and my Mum is English. My parents met in Guatamala on holiday while my Mum was living in Italy. We came to Hull when I was 5. My sister Emily was born when I was 6 years old
3. Who is your favourite football team? ~ Arsenal
4. Who is your favourite footballer? ~ I don't have one in particular but I admire: Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Lionel Messi and Eden Hazard
5. How did you first hear about Hull Football Skills Academy? ~ When Owen started the training I already knew him from the brazilian soccer schools
6. When did you start your football journey with the Academy? ~ Since it started in 2014
7. What made you stick with HFSA? ~ Great coaching, and I'm learning to become a coach with Owen's help
8. Do you play football in a team? ~ Yes, North Ferriby (previously played for Cottingham Panthers and Sproatley Juniors)
9. Do you have any other hobbies? ~ None in particular apart from going out with friends
10. What do you think is the best part of your academy sessions? ~ Developing my football skills and helping others develop theirs
11. What is your favourite football skill, and can you do it? ~ The Elastico, Hocus-Pocus and the Sombrero Flick – I can do all of them
12. What other activities would you like to see at HFSA? ~ Teaching more tactical work or some positioning training
13. What advice would you give to someone new wanting to join us? ~ Enjoy yourself and don't be afraid to try new things
We asked Tom's parents if they had anything to add. This is what Paulo & Susan had to say ~ We are always recommending Owen to friends whose kids play football as we think the discipline and coaching is really excellent. Tom started with Owen when he was little and really developed under his tuition. He has learnt so many skills from him, which has given him confidence in his playing during Sunday League matches. He is also the captain of his school football team (Trinity House Academy) and when he isn't playing football, he is either watching it on TV or playing Fifa!
Huge thanks to Tom and his family for taking part. It's quite clear that Tom has such a passion for football, that there's no wonder he has little time for any other hobbies. Tom, well done - you will go far! Lastly, THANK YOU for all your hard work with the Academy.

Football for the girls?

These three little firecrackers are flying the flag for girls football! They train as part of the HFSA Intermediate skills crew, which starts at 10:30 every term-time Saturday. These youngsters are fearless and we need more girl footballers just like them! Keep up the great work Lucy, Katie and Eve
If you have a daughter who is keen to step into football boots, please do give us a call or click on the "Contact Us" tab. We'd love to have them join the HFSA family!

In the Spotlight...

Welcome to the October instalment of In the Spotlight. Today we are meeting brothers Ewan & Luke White! The boys have been regulars at HFSA for a long time. Luke attends basic skills and Ewan is in the advanced skills session. Here's what they had to share with us:
1. How old are you? ~ Ewan: 9. Luke: 5
2. Tell us about you and your family: ~ Ewan: I live in Hessle with my brother, Mum, Dad and two cats. Luke: I have an older brother and go to All Saints Infants School
3. Who is your favourite football team? ~ Both: Ipswich!
4. Who is your favourite footballer? ~ Ewan: Lionel Messi. Luke: Luke Chambers (Ipswich Captain)
5. How did you first hear about Hull Football Skills Academy? ~ Ewan: I went to Soccertots from 20 months old. Owen was one of my coaches there and I followed him when set up HFSA. Luke: My brother had joined HFSA so I started going too. I had been to Soccertots before this
6. When did you start your football journey with the Academy? ~ Ewan: When I was 5. Luke: Last year, when I was 4
7. What made you stick with HFSA? ~ Ewan: I like it! Luke: It's fun!
8. Do you play football in a team? ~ Ewan: Yes, for Hessle Rangers Colts U10's. I'm usually a striker or a wide midfielder. Luke: No, maybe when I'm older
9. Do you have any other hobbies? ~ Ewan: I like drumming, gaming and drawing. Luke: Lego and playing games on my Dad's tablet
10. What do you think is the best part of your academy sessions? ~ Ewan: All of it. Luke: Playing a match
11. What is your favourite football skill, and can you do it? ~ Ewan: Rainbow flick, yes I can do it. Luke: Backheel. Yes!
12. What other activities would you like to see at HFSA? ~ Ewan: Shooting practice. Luke: I can't think of anything else!
13. What advice would you give to someone new wanting to join us? ~ Ewan: Just come along and enjoy yourselves. Luke: It's fun, so come and join in.
We asked Ewan and Luke's Mum and Dad if they wanted to comment. This is what Justin and Suzanne had to say:
"Both our boys really enjoy going to HFSA, even if Luke gets a bit upset when he doesn't win! Owen is a great coach and he puts on good sessions with varied activities. It's helped Ewan and Luke not just learn about football, but about teamwork, listening and much more. Owen's coaching has helped Ewan develop the skills and confidence to start playing for a team (Hessle Rangers Colts) last year and fit right in. Although Ewan trains once a week with the team he didn't want to stop going to HFSA too. One of the things we like is that there are a range of ages in each session. Although it can be daunting for, say, a 9 year old to play with 11 and 12 year olds, I think they learn a lot from the older boys in the session and it develops them more quickly. They're certainly better footballers than their Dad was at their ages!"
We really hope you continue to enjoy your football journey for years to come, boys. A big thank you to the White Family for participating!

In the Spotlight...

Welcome to the first edition of In the Spotlight! Today we meet Seb Auton and his parents. Seb is a longstanding member of the Academy who trains week in, week out. Find out what makes him tick below!
1. How old are you? ~ 10 3/4
2. Tell us about you and your family: ~ Mum, dad and me. We live in Beverley
3. Who is your favourite football team? ~ Hull City AFC
4. Who is your favourite footballer? ~ Alan McGregor
5. How did you first hear about Hull Football Skills Academy? ~ I started at Soccer Tots at 18 months, then moved onto Brazilian Soccer and then followed Owen to HFSA
6. When did you start your football journey with the Academy? ~ I started HFSA from the very first day
7. What made you stick with HFSA? ~ Owen and the coaching staff are the best in the area, learned good footwork, fitness and how to play as a team
8. Do you play football in a team? ~ Beverley Town Panthers, U11's as a goalkeeper
9. Do you have any other hobbies? ~ Rugby Union, cricket, swimming, cycling and playing the clarinet
10. What do you think is the best part of your academy sessions? ~ I like how the session builds on the skills we learn. As a goalkeeper I find it helpful with my footwork, passing and fitness
11. What is your favourite football skill, and can you do it? ~ Ronaldo Chop, which I can do!
12. What other activities would you like to see at HFSA? ~ Nothing, it's all covered already!
13. What advice would you give to someone new wanting to join us? ~ Start as soon as you can and stick with it, even if you think some of the skills are difficult - it does get easier. It doesn't matter if you go on your own, you soon make friends.
We asked Seb's parents if they'd like to add anything, and happily they did! Lynne & Nick said:
From day one (2011) Owen has been fundamental in the development of Seb who has become a very talented and confident footballer. He enjoys each week as each session is structured and no week is the same. It doesnt matter what level of ability your child has as Owen works with all abilities and develops them at their own pace. **Interesting fact - until earlier this year Owen did not know that Seb was a goalkeeper, probably due to the fact he always plays out of goal at HFSA**
Huge thanks to Seb and his family for their contribution. We hope you've enjoyed the experience and Seb, don't forget us when you're famous!!

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