Overdue:
The Assistant Manager of Tottenham Hotspur’s Academy and Under-16 coach Chris Ramsey and I were determined to do something about a scandal in football – the failure to produce top level Asian footballers. Ramsey offered a trial to sixteen Under-16 Asian boys, which took place on December 7th 2009.

Following that trial Ramsey took an extended look at Harmeed Bharj, Shaber Gulmohammed, Arjun Jung and Harjot Samra for a few sessions in January and February. He was impressed with the boys, but only offered three scholarships this year and our boys were not offered them. Top level professional football is a harsh world. Bharj was advised on what he needed to do and let go early to pursue that. We are working with him still.

The four Asian youngsters had impressed greatly in getting so far while competing against boys that had enjoyed the benefit of Spurs’ academy for years. The first ever Empower-Sport Asian Trials was therefore a great success. It proved that good coaching can work miracles and that my idea was a good one. Further trials will take place to ensure that players from disadvantaged communities get the chance that they deserve in football with other clubs

Aftercare:
Ramsey was not able to offer our boys a scholarship – feeling it was best to give them a chance elsewhere, but he wanted them to prove him wrong. He asked Empower-Sport to organise another trial for them at another club, as he believed . We arranged a trial for Gulmohammed, Jung and Samra rapidly. We did so with Wycombe Wandereres, whose Head of Youth Richard Dobson gave them a trial on March 8th and 9th.

“It’s a credit to you guys,” Dobson told the boys as he explained his decision. “Some train but blend in background. You stood out and got involved.”

They were training with the youth side and second year apprentices. It was hard for them, but all three did themselves and us proud. Samra impressed most on the first day, which included short-match training, and other training drills. Our boys played well. Free-Way Coaching’s Directors and coaches, Junior Lawrence, Adam Donnelly and Kenney Cross gave them an extra training session on Saturday to prepare them for their opportunity. It paid off, especially for Samra as the coaches worked hard on his defensive game with him before his trial with Wycombe Wanderers

“I thought you two [Gulmohammed and Jung] did bettter today,” Dobson told them. “I'll come to you [Samra] later. The pace was a bit more. After Spurs this was the second time you got to play with players at this level. It’s always difficult for players that have not been in academy set up.”

He advised Jung to go and see youth team games and explained that his size was an issue even though the club had no problems with smaller players. That said he thought that Jung’s physical stature could be a difficulty, but that he was already in good hands. He believed that Gulmohammed needed to become more athletic and that it was a step too far for him at this stage, but both Jung and Gulmohammed were told to keep in touch for advice. Free-Way Coaching and Empower-Sport will continue to work with them and seek opportunities for them.

Invited Back:
Our work had already been vindicated, but Samra achieved more. “You are slightly different,” Dobson told Samra. “You’ve got something. You are willing to pass the ball. Tactically, you’ve got much to learn, but we owe it to you to try to take it further.”

Samra was invited back to play with the Under-16 team. He has an excellent opportunity that we were delighted to have provided for him. Cross and Donnelly were present to hear him receive the good news. Their faces, beaming with pride, showed that it had all been worthwhile and that this was just the first project of many to provide opportunities for under-represented and underprivileged communities in football.

“It was a good experience,” said Samra. “You’ve got good players here.”

Dobson explained Wycombe Wanderers’ philosophy. “Other clubs can buy finished product,”he said; “we develop. It has been a pleasure to have you around. It is a late stage to come into it. It’s a credit to you [Harjot] that you caught the eye.”

Empower-Sport and Free-Way Coaching will continue to work closely with Wycombe Wanderers FC on other projects involving the Asian community and other under-represented and under-privileged communities for a long time to come.