While at the Berlin tournament foncy.co.uk was grateful to Ian Thornton for finding a few minutes to answer some questions for the website on his role as an Academy Under-12 coach.
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Ian, how do regard the past season with the Under-12's has gone? In terms of performance the boys have improved and the individual players have matured. The players have responded to the coaching they have been given and their listening skills have proven to be good, transforming training performance into match performances. |
 Ian and the Under-12's in a training discussion |
| Whilst its not all about results at this stage the results have been positive. It's all about getting it right now as preparation for the years to come. | |
 Being fully organised is always important |
What have you learnt for your own coaching? I have learnt that I expect high levels of effort and demand quality in each area, I am happy for players to make mistakes as long as their effort is spot on. It's always important to be fully organised and remember you are working with certain age of player. Whilst they conduct themselves as "mini-adults" they are still young boys. |
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You and the team won the Des Holl Academy Team of The Year Award. What does that mean to you and the players? To both it means a lot and rewards us as a group for a successful season. One thing that will always remain with us as a coach and team is that we won the Academy Team of The Year in the same season as Norwich won promotion from Division One. |
 Under-12s: Academy Team Of The Season |
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How have you enjoyed this Berlin tournament? The tour was a fitting reward for a very good season and a great opportunity for the boys to go away together and learn about German culture on and off the field. Yes we have enjoyed the tour and it will play an important role in each boy's development. |
 Enjoying The Berlin Tournament |
Have you been pleased with the team's performance? What have been the key points they will take away from the experience? The rules of the tournament are that each game is over a single 25 minute period, therefore dictating an attacking game. I was pleased not to concede a goal in the group stage and score ten goals in total. I have seen us play better but the boys have had to deal with the pressure of the tournament, unlike the non-competitive basis of the Academy games. |
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I've enjoyed working with the boys all season; they've been a great bunch with some good characters and players for the future. I wish them all the best for next season. |
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Ian, thanks for your time and we wish you a good summer, although you will undoubtedly be kept busy with your "daytime job" at Football In The Community ! |