Manchester City Academy Invites Youth Soccer Players to Train at Academy in England
Three local Cal South youth soccer players were identified for a free trip to train in England.
It is a dream come true for at least three exceptionally talented Cal South youth soccer players who competed at the annual soccerloco Surf Cup this summer. In addition to participating in one of the finest youth tournaments in the country, they were among the very fortunate players who participated in the Pro-I.D. player identification camp with Manchester City Football Club Academy, organized by internationally well known youth soccer coach and scout Jeff Illingworth.
Following their successful showing at the Pro-I.D. soccer camp, the three – Romario Quintero, Cameron Dunbar and John Hilton – have just been invited to participate in an elite youth soccer all-expenses paid training program at the esteemed Manchester City Youth Academy in Manchester, England.
In addition, Hilton so impressed Mark Burton, U6U-11 Coordinator and U11 Coach at Manchester City Football Club that he was selected to participate in a tournament immediately following the Pro-I.D. Camp and was flown to Holland to join a Manchester City team. Hilton participated on the Academy’s champion United Jeugd Cup 2013 team and was given the MVP of the tournament.
The 2013 San Diego based Pro-I.D. Camp, sponsored by the soccerloco Surf Cup, provided an opportunity for players to display their technical and tactical skills in front of four Manchester City Academy coaches, who then identified players for a possible special tryout in Manchester, England.
Founded by Jeff Illingworth who has identified elite players for three decades, the 2013 Pro-I.D. was a tremendous success. “I know there is talent on this side of the Atlantic and I am thrilled that Manchester City Academy identified more players than they expected. This is a win-win for youth soccer on both sides of the globe. Manchester City Academy coaches look to develop the most talented players.”
The Manchester City Academy coaches flew over before their training season commenced specifically to scout at the Surf Cup and Pro-I.D. Camp. These Manchester City Academy coaches have extended three invitations for the all-expense paid training and opened the door for other elite players who wish to visit and train with their Academy at their own expense. Either way, it is an amazing opportunity for players to be invited to train at one of the world’s top academies.
Cameron Dunbar, one of the players selected for the all-expenses paid trip, is part of the successful Albion Soccer Club program. “Cameron has been with Albion since the beginning and has always shown tremendous talent and potential,” said Technical Director Noah Gins. “The club for the last year has taken Cameron very seriously and catered to his needs. The boy trains 4 times per week and we put a lot of interest into seeing him reach his full potential.”
When Albion learned about the Manchester City identification camp, Gins and his administrative team pulled out all the stops in order to get Dunbar an invitation – even contacting Man City’s Mark Burton. Once he was accepted, Cameron did the rest.
“We are very proud of what Cameron has accomplished and we know for him and the club this will be just the beginning,” said Gins.
Manchester City coaches were highly impressed with the talent at the Pro-I.D. camp. Initially unsure of the high level of player development in this side of the Atlantic, all the academy coaches were pleased with the level of player performance.
Manchester City’s philosophy for youth soccer is simple. Their philosophy is to “develop technically gifted, competitive, decision-making winners,” and America certainly has talented youth players. Manchester City’s Academy is player-centered with the goal of “developing strong minded, independent and balanced individuals” who are technically proficient footballers.
In addition, several other talented youth players were invited to visit (at their own expense) after their successful showing at the Pro-I.D. Camp. The players who were identified for this special invitation include Efran Alvarez, Aimar Cuevas, Owen Zaldibar, Collin Canales, Milan Iloski, and Miles Imperato among others.
San Diego Surf Soccer Club Player Miles Imperato is only 7 years old and is coached by Grassroots Director Mario Mrakovic who said, “Miles has all the traits of a future superstar; a great soccer brain, personality, intelligence and a strong work ethic. Miles has a passion for the sport. He is well known already for his “Messi” like dribbles and scores easily. This kid is special. The one thing I love the most about this kid Miles are his smiles!”
Esai Easley, is a 13 year old who plays for Hawaii’s Kona Crush U15 is a talented center midfielder coached by Vince LaPorta who also received the prestigious nod to come across the seas to train at Manchester City’s academy. San Diego Surf Soccer Club player Diego Orosco also will be traveling across the seas to train. And so will Mitchell Vasquez from California’s Legacy United Soccer Club.
All the youth soccer players who attended the Manchester City’s Academy coached-camp this summer had a great time. The elite camp provided players with the chance to develop their individual skills and deepen their understanding of the beautiful game.
The camp provided a glimpse into the intense Manchester City player development program, which centers on fulfilling potential and achieving greatness. At the end of the camp, all players felt they had enhanced their abilities to perform on the field and had enjoyed the training.
Along with Mark Burton, Manchester City Academy coaches Gareth Whalley, U13 Coach and Danny Walker, Technical Skills Coach also enjoyed working with the American players at the San Diego based camp. Burton, Whalley and Walker kept asking their players questions during the training sessions. Stimulating their soccer brains, the goal was to keep all the players thinking about what to do when on the field.
The special players who received an invitation to train at Manchester City’s Academy in England will have a remarkable experience. These elite players invited join Derek Stephenson, Chris Hegardt and Michael Scavuzzo among others who have previously made the marvelous journey to Manchester City’s Platt Road facility to join academy training sessions.
From November 21 through December 1, 2013, these talented youth soccer players will have the opportunity to experience life at a top English Premier League Academy. We wish all these players an amazing journey, as their lives will be changed by this prominent player development experience.
