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21 Days Of Living Like a Pro!

June Camp 2023

June 5th - 25th 2023

London, United Kingdom

39 talented players, hailing from 17 different countries, have come together in the pursuit of their shared love for the beautiful game.


Our London June Camp (June 5th - 25th, 2023) marked the beginning of an extraordinary summer filled with a total of five Football Camps!

Let's have a look how the day-to-day schedule of camp our players looked like, what they worked on in training and what it's like when players from the United States all the way to Singapore come together to live and train like a pro.

Week 1

Monday, June 5th:

Arrival Day ✈️

After the arrival of all players the main focus of this day is for the players to settle in, getting to know their fellow players & coaches, receiving their welcome bag & training kits and having their first team dinner.

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

Tuesday, June 6th:

Two a Days 💪

On Tuesday morning we then always start with an activation session in the gym, lead by our Strength & Conditioning Coach Darian Trotman!

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

In the afternoon it’s then finally time for what all players have been waiting for: the first training session on the pitch and getting coached by former Man United academy player & National Scout for Northern Ireland, Simon O’Neill. 

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

Wednesday, June 7th:

EPL Mentorship 🏆

On Wednesday we again started in the gym with a programme focused on recovery & activation. In the afternoon we then had our 2nd training session on the pitch. This time we were joined by two guest coaches:


The first one is Kwesi Casey-Hayford, Lead Athlete Coach & Mentor at Jus Ball who has personally coached Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal FC) & Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC).

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

Additionally we had our goalkeepers getting trained by Dan Saunders - a goalkeeper coach who has been working with the English Football Association for years as well as Watford FC.

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

Thursday, June 8th:

EURO 2016 Player Leads Session 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

On Thursday morning, we started with the first masterclass on “Why a Football CV is important”, presented by coach Simon.

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

In the afternoon we then had another training session on the pitch, lead by George Williams - EURO 2016 semi-finalist with Wales, ex-Fulham 1st team & academy player.

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

Friday, June 9th:

Fitness Frenzy 😮‍💨

On Friday the player’s fitness levels were really tested with the first double training session - one in the morning with coach Simon & Charlie Gregory and one in the afternoon with George Williams. 

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

Saturday, June 10th:

London Calling 📞

After this intense first week it was then time for some downtime for the players. And what better way to start your first weekend than with our London City Day. 

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

In the evening it was then time to watch together the event all of us aspire to be in ourselves one day - the Champions League Final! 

Sunday, June 11th:

Recharging The Battery 🔋

Sunday was then fully focused on recovering & recharging the batteries for another intense week for our Train Effective Camp Players on their day off.


And even if every single player has put in a tremendous amount of work and showed real effort to become a better player on and off the pitch - there was one Player who stood out: Michael Poitry from Iowa, United States!

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

“His commitment and effort shown on the pitch was a key point why he was chosen for Player of the Week. He helped as many of his teammates as possible by giving them pointers whilst training and wasn’t afraid to work even harder himself to help his teammates out during difficult situations on the pitch. His off the pitch skills and the way he conducted himself around the hotel with staff and players also stood out to all members of staff.”


- Ben Jacobson, Assistant Camp Manager on their decision.

And just like that, the first week flies by in a flash!

So far we mostly looked into the general schedule of the first week of the London June Camp 2023.


Now, we want to speak about what the specific training sessions of last week have been focused on and why those are vital to train to become a professional player!

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Week 2

Monday, June 12th:

Playing Out From The Back ⚽️

On Monday we started with a session in the gym, focused on activation & injury prevention, led by our strength & conditioning coach Darian Trotman!

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

In the afternoon it was then time for the next training session on the pitch.

And the main focus of this training session was on “playing out from the back” which is so crucial because it …

  1. builds attacks from the defensive third.
  2. helps break the opposition's press.
  3. creates space and passing options.
  4. develops technical skills.
  5. requires risk assessment and quick decision-making.
Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

And especially nowadays as most teams are looking for players who are 100% comfortable to play in a possession-oriented style this is an elemental quality for every player who wants to make it as a professional.

Tuesday, June 13th:

Playing Through Midfield 🕹️

On Tuesday the fitness levels of the players were again tested twice with two training sessions on the pitch on this day.


In the morning our goalkeepers trained with goalkeeper coach Dan Saunders (20+ years of work experience with Watford FC & the FA).

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

Together with coach George & coach Simon we then focused on the next step:

“Playing Through Midfield” which enables teams / players to

  1. control and distribute the ball effectively.
  2. facilitates the transition from defense to attack.
  3. enhances creativity and vision.
  4. supports ball retention and possession.
  5. maintain team balance and structure.

Again, abilities that are mandatory nowadays in pro football.

Wednesday, June 14th:

Playing In The Final Third 🚨

On Wednesday we got to the next stage in our training sequence:

we started with playing from the back, made our way through midfield and now it’s time to work with the players on “Playing In The Final Third”.

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

So again: what do our coaches aim to teach our players by training this?

We train "playing in the final third" because it helps teams / player’s in

  1. Creating goal-scoring opportunities.
  2. Breaking down defenses effectively.
  3. Improving crosses and set pieces.
  4. Enhancing game management skills.
  5. Developing team coordination.

Thursday, June 15th:

Finishing 🎯

But all this work before counts nothing if players don’t score. And that’s why the two training sessions on Thursday were focused on Finishing.


And to practice the player’s finishing as effectively as possible the coaches set up a combination of exercises:

  1. Shooting drills to practice accuracy and technique.
  2. One-on-one drills to enhance dribbling and quick decision-making before shooting.
  3. A combination of crossing & finishing exercises to practice timing and conversion from crosses.
  4. Drills with defenders to improve finishing under pressure.
  5. Drills with match-specific situations for realistic finishing practice.
Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

Additionally, we also invited our player success agent & mentor Sam Shaban.

Sam has played professionally in different clubs around Europe and is currently playing semi-professionally as a striker in England.


Sam worked individually with each striker and also shared his personal tips that allowed him to finish his latest season with 22 goals in 22 appearances.

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

And also our goalkeepers again got individual training together with goalkeeper coach Dan Saunders!

Friday, June 16th:

Defending From The Front 🛑

In the last training session of the week, our players then worked on the next important topic: “Defending From The Front”


Overall, training defending from the front enhances

  1. a team's defensive capabilities.
  2. disrupts the opposition's build-up play.
  3. creates turnover opportunities.
  4. strengthens team cohesion.
  5. enables effective counter-attacking.
Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

Saturday, June 17th:

Chelsea Stadium Tour 🏟️

After this intense training week for our players, it was time for the 2nd activity day of the camp with our Chelsea Stadium tour on Saturday!

There we visited the dressing rooms, the press area, the stands and obviously had the opportunity to feel the atmosphere of Stamford Bridge after walking through the player tunnel.

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

Sunday, June 18th:

Rest & Recovery 😌

Sunday was again for the players free to use for rest, recovery and to spend time with their fellow friends & teammates at the camp.

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

Additionally, as the thrilling journey of Week 2 came to an end, it was time to bestow the highly anticipated honor of "Player of Week 2."


This time Peter Vanacky from Slovakia was the most deserving of this title who impressed with his outstanding commitment & quality on and off the pitch.

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

In Week 1 of the camp the focus lay on familiarising the players to the new environment as quickly as possible and then gradually increasing the intensity & frequency of training.


During Week 2, players were exposed to new concepts and playing styles commonly utilised in professional academies, while optimising their training time on the pitch with our academy coaches.


Now, in Week 3, it was time for the showcase week in which the Train Effective Camp players play matches against english clubs & academies.


So let us take you with us into this final week of the June Camp 2023 and share the highlights of this eventful week with you.

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Week 3

Monday, June 19th:

Preparing for the Showcase Matches 🔎

Monday began with a captivating masterclass led by our Strength & Conditioning Coach, Darian, focusing on injury prevention.

This is a topic that many players tend to overlook, yet the knowledge gained from it could potentially have a more significant impact on their careers than a 100 extra training sessions!


Later in the afternoon, it was time for the next training session on the pitch, which was specifically designed to prepare the players for the upcoming days and matches.

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

Tuesday, June 20th:

Final Training Day ⏳

But all this work before counts nothing if players don’t score. And that’s why the two training sessions on Thursday were focused on Finishing.


And to practice the player’s finishing as effectively as possible the coaches set up a combination of exercises:

  1. Shooting drills to practice accuracy and technique.
  2. Small-sided games with limited time and space to improve decision-making and composure.
  3. One-on-one drills to enhance dribbling and quick decision-making before shooting.
  4. A combination of crossing & finishing exercises to practice timing and conversion from crosses.
  5. Drills with defenders to improve finishing under pressure.
  6. Drills with match-specific situations for realistic finishing practice.
Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

Wednesday, June 21st:

Match Day #1 🏟️

On Wednesday the highly anticipated day finally arrived: the first day of the Showcase Matches.


In addition to Coach and National Scout Simon O'Neill, who has been supporting the players since day one, scouts from esteemed Premier League and Championship clubs such as Southampton, QPR, Millwall, and Crystal Palace were in attendance for all the showcase matches.


Ahead of the matches the players had been divided into two squads according to their age. The first match of the younger squad ended 2-2.

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

Afterward, it was time for the Showcase Match featuring the older squad.


During the match, Train Effective took the lead with a goal from Michael Poitry (Player of Week 1). However, early in the second half, we conceded two goals.


Despite the setback, the team displayed remarkable determination and managed to equalize with a late goal, resulting in a final score of 2-2, once again courtesy of Michael Poitry. It was an impressive display of resilience and teamwork.

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

Thursday, June 22nd:

Masterclass by Former Pro Player 🎙️

After the intense matches the day before, Thursday was dedicated to recovery, starting with a gym session.


In addition, we had the privilege of hosting a masterclass and interview with Steven Caulker, a former professional player at Tottenham and Liverpool.

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

He spoke about his path to professional football, how he broke into Liverpool’s first time but also about the risks and dangers in and around football.


Definitely an experience that provided valuable insights and inspiration for all players.

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

Friday, June 23rd:

Match Day #2 🎖️

The opponents for Match Day #2 consisted of two private academy teams from the London area.


Additionally, scouts from the Premier League and Championship clubs mentioned earlier were present to analyse the players' performances.


The older squad faced a private academy called ASK Godders, resulting in another draw (2-2).

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

On the other hand, the younger squad went up against Impact FC and achieved a remarkable 5-2 victory, showcasing an exceptional team performance.

Now, onto the question that may be on your mind:


What happens next after those two showcase matches?  

A. Scouting Report

Throughout the entire three weeks of the camp, our coaches have been meticulously analysing the players, assessing their on-field performance and off-field characteristics.


The showcase matches and the feedback from the scouts will now provide an additional layer of information on the players' abilities.

All of this data will be summarised and communicated to each player through their personal scouting report, which they will receive in the coming days after the camp.


This report will provide a comprehensive understanding of their strengths, weaknesses, and a blueprint for improvement to reach their highest potential.

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

B. Creating Opportunities

Additionally, our coaches & team will now use this information to determine the next steps which will help the players progress in the most efficient way after the camp.


For some players this simply needs to happen through training according to their scouting report and feedback from the coaches they received during the camp & in their individual 1-on-1 feedback session.  


And then there are players who have proven that they’re ready to progress to a club that plays on a higher level than their current club.


With those select players our team will now stay in very close contact with over the next couple of months and help them find / create semi-pro or professional opportunities in the near future.

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

Saturday, June 24th:

Staff vs. Players Tournament 🏆

On the last full day of the camp before departure, our aim was to maximise interaction among players, coaches, and staff.


So to kick off the morning, we organised the highly anticipated Staff vs. Player Tournament (which, unsurprisingly, was won by the staff team 😉).

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

Following that, we all headed to High Barnet to continue with a thrilling football golf tournament.

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

Following that, we all headed to High Barnet to continue with a thrilling football golf tournament.

As the sun began to set, the players & coaches gathered for the last team dinner which then slowly transitioned into the Closing Ceremony.


There the coaches continued with their goodbye speeches, acknowledging the exceptional discipline, work ethic & improvements all players demonstrated in the past 3 weeks!

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

At the end of the Closing Ceremony it was then also time for two more awards:

Player of Week 3 & MVP of the June Camp 2023.


Like every week, this challenge presented our coaches with an incredibly difficult decision, as there were once again several highly deserving candidates for this title.


After careful deliberation, the final decision was made, and we are delighted to announce that the following two players emerged as the chosen ones:

Player of Week 3

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

Stefan Cvetkovic, Austria

Stefan has been impressing the coaches since the start of the camp but especially stood out in the third week of the camp!

MVP June Camp 2023

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

Youri Bal, Netherlands

Youri's professionalism was evident from the moment he introduced himself to his fellow teammates and coaches. He made a strong impression right from the start, showcasing his skills and dedication in training sessions and the showcase matches.


His outstanding performance has even earned him a trial with the first team of Hemel Hempstead Football Club, a semi-professional club competing in the English 6th tier division.

P.S.: If you're unfamiliar with the English football leagues, it's important to note that even in the 6th and 7th tiers, some clubs can be professional football clubs. The status of professionalism varies depending on the club and the players' abilities and experience. While the majority of players are considered semi-professionals, there are those who play football as a full-time career, earning substantial incomes of up to £5,000 per month.

Sunday, June 25th:

Departure 🛫

On Sunday, it was time for the players to say goodbye to their friends, coaches, and the Train Effective staff.


But even if the camp now has ended, as previous camps have shown, the friendships forged through hard work, tears, and shared experiences will endure even after returning home.

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

And for the Train Effective staff this camp was only the beginning of summer 2023 as the next Camp (June 26th - July 16th, 2023) already started on the day after.


This left our team with just enough time to prepare the last minor details for the arrival of the next 41 players for our June/July Camp 2023!

Two players on a soccer pitch in a 1v1 situation.

If you want to learn more about our camps in 2024 then click on the button below and …

🇬🇧 Speak 1-on-1 to our mentor & former professional player Sam Shaban about your personal goals

❓ Ask any question you have about how the camps work

✏️ Book your camp spot directly on the call

Speak to our Mentor & Camp Expert

Upcoming Camps 2024

Please find here an overview of our upcoming camps!

London Football Camp - Spring 2024

31 March - 13 April, 2024

📍London, United Kingdom

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London Football Camp - June 2024

9 June - 22 June, 2024

📍London, United Kingdom

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London Football Camp - June/July 2024

23 June - 13 July, 2024

📍London, United Kingdom

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London One Week Camp - July 2024

9 July - 13 July, 2024

📍London, United Kingdom

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London Football Camp - July/August 2024

14 July - 3 August, 2024

📍London, United Kingdom

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London Football Camp - August 2024

4 August - 17 August, 2024

📍London, United Kingdom

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