July 8 – Manchester United FC are extending their reach into Taiwan, China by launching their first ever football camp in the Taipei Municipal Stadium. Their Official tyre partner of China and Russia, Federal Tyres is sponsoring 32 children aged 6-14 to take part in one of two 3-day camps.
96 students in total will have the opportunity to partake in the camps, learning the game in small groups with multiple coaches devoting their attention to the players’ development.
Manchester United FC are already in China, running camps in the Shanghai area, but are looking to develop their influence within the Taiwanese island, just off the south east coast of mainland China.
The focus of the camps is to improve players’ technical, tactical, physical, mental and social play, all in the context of the first team. Their slogan is: ‘Learn to play the United way’. For example, they use Rooney as an exemplar of strength, both mental and physical, so as to teach the necessity of moving on quickly from missed chances to the next one, whilst they use Scholes, among others, to propagate technical performance.
The added bonus for Manchester United is their access to the talent pool within the area. They market their camp as an opportunity to be seen by their backroom staff, adding some allure for ambitious youngsters.
One coach from Manchester United Soccer School said, “It’s great that Federal have made it possible for so many children to take part in this world-class training program because we see this as an excellent opportunity to identify talented youngsters. Apart from anything else, learning ‘the Manchester United way’ can help young players in so many ways – on and off the pitch – and it’s always exciting to bring those skills to a new part of the world.”
Various first team coaches were involved in structuring the camp activities, providing access to the tailor made training schedules that the first team players enjoy.
Jamie Ma, the chairman of Federal Tyres stated, “It is an honour to welcome our friends from Manchester United to the home of Federal Tyres. Federal Tyres is delighted to sponsor these children and provide them with the opportunity to experience the same cutting-edge training as Manchester United’s stars.”
A specific goal of the camp is to “Create a positive affinity towards Manchester United and positive relationships with all players, parents and partners we meet”, which does well to further the club’s overseas following.
The camp’s economic benefits for the club ought not to be forgotten either, as the Taiwanese three-day camps will cost 22,050 TWD (roughly £419) per person.
Manchester United Soccer schools are already spread across the globe, with camps in Denmark, Italy, India, Japan, Norway, South Africa and Sweden too. They boast of delivering football programs to over 150,000 people.
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