Posts Tagged ‘soccer’

Soccer Academy Is Major Element Of Southeast Asia’s Premier Sport And Corporate Events Centre

Sunday, July 25th, 2010

An unparalleled groundbreaking Soccer Academy is part of the pioneering  Phuket International Academy Sports and Leisure Club (PIASLC) is poised to become Asia’s greatest competition, training and event facility when it opens this November.  Combining a brilliant location with unparalleled facilities, it is already gaining notice from leading international sporting institutions and international corporations.

The complex is located on 54 acres of property in the northern section of Phuket, Thailand.  It possesses a widespread array of high-quality sports facilities that include an International Rugby Board-standard rugby pitch, FIFA-approved Limonta “Soccer Pro’’ soccer field, Phuket’s only competition standard 50-metre eight lane outdoor swimming pool (suitable for water polo and competitive swimming), a fully shaded 25 metre, eight lane swimming pool, toddler’s and children’s pools and play area, 6 tennis courts, a 500 metre athletics running track and a fitness enthusiast gymnasium, as well as  an arts centre and a Thai Herbal Garden Spa.   Phuket International Academy Sports and Leisure Club Sports, Leisure and Events Centre.

Accommodations are available in the form of two comfortable hotels, providing 115 well-appointed rooms and suites for visitors, athletes, teams and corporate groups. The Sports and Leisure Club has rapidly earned recognition through high-profile connections with international sporting organizations such as Brazilian Soccer Schools (BSS), NZRugbyResources (NZRR), and IronKids Triathlon.    Announcement of tennis and swimming association are anticipated soon.

The PIASLC  is working toward becoming the leading sports and corporate event center in Asia.   Not only delivering Asia’s finest facilities for sports but also very nice facilities and accommodations for conferences, incentives, retreats and teambuilding. 

PIASLC announced “As a fully-integrated complex, we are also going to be the perfect location for companies looking to build something active, creative or wellness inspired into their event programmes.”

NZRugbyResources Director, David Adamson, said “Rugby is an extremely popular sport throughout Asia and growing in numbers every year and NZRugbyResources believes this is the finest training and playing facility in Asia. It is just amazing how much detail has gone into the planning.”

[BSS  World-renowned BSS is based upon Futebol de Salao (FDS).  The training and game is known for a 5-a-side version of football originally from Brazil.  FDS is played with a smaller (size 2), and a little heavier (465gm) ball that has very little bounce to it. 

The PIASLC has also announced an partnership with the US-based IronKids programme. This  association will focus on bringing four junior Triathlon events each year as well as training camps for children aged between 6 and 15.

The PIASLCincludes almost a dozen specialized sports academies.   has named former Muay Thai champion “Thanootong’’ Prasert Intanoo to manage the martial arts programme at the new Phuket, Thailand sports centre.   Just as muay thai kickboxing stesses dedication and expertise, the assignment is another example of the PIASLC recruiting world-class experts to work at the up-and-coming remarkable facility and help position it as the leading sports and leisure destination in Asia.

The PIASLC  will be hosting a variety of world-class sports, arts, wellness and recreational facilities and programmes for the enjoyment of visitors, students, their families, the local Phuket community and for visiting professional and amateur individual athletes and teams from around the world.  PIASLC will establish a benchmark as a regional destination for sports, arts and wellness in Thailand and Asia, and perhaps the world.   Phuket International Academy is an integrated facility boasting Phuket’s newest International School, a versatile Sports and Leisure Club for elite athletes, amateur enthusiasts, artists and wellness seekers – all within the Mind Centre sanctuary that provides training in the cultivation of mental and emotional balance.  Located in the northern reaches of Phuket, just 15 minutes from Phuket International Airport, PIA also [includes two 38-room boutique hotels and a broad range of facilities ideal for corporate retreats, seminars, and teambuilding programmes and events.

As part of a uniquely integrated complex, the Sports and Leisure Club works in synergy with both the Phuket International Academy Day School and PIAMC.   The Phuket International Academy Day School is working to develop into a three programme International Baccalaureate (IB) World School.   As a leading international school in Thailand, it will draw upon distinctive Asian culture with the best from Western educational methods, to cultivate inquisitive, knowledgeable, and compassionate young people who know how to conduct their lives with integrity, cultivate true happiness, and strive to create a more peaceful and sustainable earth.   Click this link for additional information on the Phuket International Academy Day School International School Thailand.

As part of a total commitment to sports excellence the PIAMC has started to deliver training in the cultivation of cognitive and emotional balance.   The PIAMC will  deliver  a combination of modern psychology and neuroscience alongside traditional Asian contemplative practices.  Delivered through residential retreats and weekend seminars PIAMC is open to all participants.     It teaches the practice of “mindfulness of breathing”, which is helpful way for soothing the body and calming the mind. A second method taught is both a shamatha practice and vipashyana, “insight meditation” called “settling the mind in its natural state”.  Phuket International Academy Mind Centre Meditation, Mind Studies, and Retreats.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace

The 2010 FIFA World Cup Cool Stadiums

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

The whole world can’t wait for the 2010 Soccer World Cup to begin. After much deliberation, bidding and voting, South Africa came out as the location for the 2010 World Cup. South Africa and Mexico are the first in line on the 2010 soccer calender being the first teams to compete.Many speculate that it would certainly end up being possible for the final world cup winners football game to have an African country involved but this is yet to be seen. For those who won’t have the privilege of following the tournament, you might be wondering on what kind of stadiums the  football all stars will be performing their soccer tricks. Well South Africa really took to heart their being the 2010 hosts and over the years constructed five totally new stunning stadiums.Here’s a peek for all you ‘soccerholics’:

*Moses Mabhida Stadium- opened on November 2009, this stadium has a glass roofing and is teflon coated. Build on the former Kings Park Soccer stadium.

o Capacity: 70,000 o Location: Durban o Design: inspired by the South African flag, the legs of the arch on the southern side join to form a single footing on the northern side.Symbolically, this arch signifies the unity of aonce divided country.The highest point bears a height of 347 feet. Has a translucent glow if lit.
* Green Point Stadium- reconstructed for the World Cup. Scheduled to hold the first six round matches, one second-round, one quarter and one semifinal match.

o Capacity:70,000 o Location: Cape Town o Design: has a noise-reducing exterior cladding and is situated very near the ocean and has the mountains as a the backdrop. Roofing is a unique retractable glass roofing of about 4,500 tons.

* Mbombela Stadium- a  Siwala world meaning “many people together in a small space.” o Capacity: 40,000 o Location:Nelspruit o Design:  has giraffe looking roof designs and seats that resemble the stripes of a giraffe. * Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium-not to be confused with the former president Mandela but the Nelson mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality.Will be hosting five first round matches, one second round, one quarter final and the third place playoff.

o Capacity: 50 000 o Location:Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth o Design:a very beautiful looking stadium. Also named ‘the sunflower’ because of it’s unique structures.

* Soccer City Stadium- The largest stadium in Africa. Will hold the first and last matches of the Cup.

o Capacity:94,500 o Location: Johannesburg o Design:gets its design from an African Pot or calabash.

With all these stadiums, this year is surely to be a Cup to remember. Wouldn’t you want to just book the next flight to Africa to witness this event?

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace

A Family Affair?

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

  For better or worse, manager-father, player-son teams are in it together. Those looking to cause shenanigans will claim that favouritism among father and son teams causes problems.  Brian Clough, when he managed his son Nigel at Nottingham Forest, refused to even acknowledge him by his first name, simply referring to Nigel as “our Number 9”.  Managers who manage their sons may, far from being too lenient with their offspring, be too critical. It is a fine balancing act for the manager and the player and it can be problematic.

Not that this will be a problem for Bob Bradley and his son Michael during this summer’s World Cup Finals in South Africa.  One exception to the rule seems to be the Bradley family, US Coach Bob Bradley and his son Michael, who will compete in the World Cup Finals together this summer in South Africa.

Michael Bradley was born in Princeton, New Jersey when Bob was the coach of the Princeton University soccer team.   When Michael was young, his father received a position coaching the MLS Chicago Fire,  and Michael was raised in Palatine, gaining a love for the game that rivalled that of his father.  After Bob gained a position with the Chicago Fire, Michael grew up in Palatine, and began to enjoy the sport immensely.

After an impressive career in Junior leagues, Michael signed up with the MLS Superdraft in 2004 and was selected 36th overall by the New York Metrostars, who just so happened to be coached by his father. Michael’s first professional season didn’t turn out as planned when he suffered an awful foot injury, but his second year kicked off to a fantastic start for both of the Bradleys; Bob succeeded in leading his team to playoffs and Michael played in all but two of the games and headed his first goal to a shocked Chivas USA, securing a spot in the playoffs.

Bradley soon gained attention of foreign teams, leading him to leave the Metrostars in 2006 to play for Holland’s SC Heerenveen team.   Bradley’s success continued with Holland as he played well enough to land the team a place in the UEFA Cup and achieving an incredible 20 goals in the 2007-2008 season.

After Bradley’s success with Holland, bigger clubs started paying attention, including Birmingham City, whose relegation from the Premier League preventing them from getting him in their soccer merchandise. Borussia Moenchengladbach instead snapped up the midfielder and he has become a regular player for the German side, playing 58 times in the Bundesliga and scoring 7 goals.

Michael Bradley’s success so far exceeded expectations that most took it for granted that he would be promoted to the National Team (and he was). Bob Bradley began coaching the team in 2006, leading Michael to become  the core of the US midfield, setting up plays so that offensive players such as Landon Donovan can exercise the freedom to get towards the goal.

The US team is thankful for the father and son duo as they head on to the World Cup Finals in South Africa this summer.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace

2010 FIFA World Cup -Why In South Africa?

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

Friday, June 11, 2010 is sure to be an unforgettable date in the minds of all Africans and soccer fans across the globe being the day when Africa gets to hold the prestigious FIFA World Cup. It’s been 80 years that FIFA World Cup host countries have revolved around Europe and the Americas. Exactly how is the venue for the cup decided upon?Currently, the policy for selection is that any country can bid to be the venue for the World Cup guaranteed that their continent hasn’t hosted it in the past two years making Africa a good candidate. South Africa had a narrow loss against Germany in the 2006 bidding with 12 votes to 11 as the final tally. For the 2010 World Cup however, all countries that bid were African the top three being South Africa, Morocco and Egypt. South Africa beat Morocco by 4 votes leading to this memorable event.Those are the ‘technical’ reasons why this years World Cup is being held in South Africa but is the country itself capable of holding such an event? I would answer with a resounding “Yes”.Here’s why:

* Have you seen their team? This fact alone gives them the right to hosting the Cup. Can you imagine having the Cup in a country whos team sucks?What a disgrace that would be! Even if  you look back, the soccer teams of countries hosting the cup are usually first class like Brazil (1950), Argentina(1978) and Italy(1990). If South Africa was added to the list, nobody would mind.

* Perfect stadiums- South Africa’s preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup included the construction of four new stadiums. Their designs include : a detractable glass roof, beautiful lighting, zebra like seats, and the South African flag. Is there anything else you could want?

* Great Weather- wildlife aside, South Africa is renowned for it’s weather. The World Football Tournament coincides with South Africa’s winter time. South Africa’s winter temperature at midday is warmer than most countries daily summer temperature so no need to worry that your favorite players will get frozen. Lower temperatures have been proved to be better for athlete’s bodies so the average expected temperature of 20 degrees Celsius at 12pm noon will be great. With good weather, we can expect better performance..

* Africa- civilization as we know it has been thought to have begun in Africa and many African coutries hold soccer dear to their hearts. Could you think of a better venu for the world to unite? Also, during the Mandela era, football was a cause of unification and a force for the apartheid resistance. The finals being held in Soweto which has been the center of South African soccer really adds meaning to the whole event making it not simply a sports event but a historical one.

In my opinion, no controversy in the past four years can change the  fact that South Africa is the best place for  the 2010 FIFA World Cup and everyone should be proud that for the first time in  history, Africa is holidng a sporting event this big.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace

Soccer Players Don’t Get Adequate Respect

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

Most Americans have a different attitude toward the sport of soccer than people from around the rest with the world. One can begin with the name with the sport itself. We call it soccer, whilst the rest of the world calls it football, but it really doesn’t end there.

Click here – watch live soccer online

Soccer players don’t get the exact same kind of respect here that they do in other countries, and I consider that’s very unfortunate. Some with the finest athletes in the planet are soccer players, and as the sport continues to grow in popularity inside the United States, I hope that much more Americans begin to recognize how talented they’re.

 

I was in England about 10 years ago and happened to see a prominent professional soccer player in London. The guy was practically mobbed, and it took much more than an hour to make it into the restaurant where he was originally headed.

 

On another occasion when I was in England, a team called Bradford City defeated the perennial powerhouse Liverpool. The next day, the town in fact had a parade for its soccer players, and they were treated like heroes as they rode on floats down the primary street inside the city.

 

You can find, of course, the flip sides of those stories, exactly where goalkeepers who give up the winning score have their lives threatened, or worse. You can find also brawls that break out at soccer stadiums that often give a black eye for the sport, but I think that speaks much more about the passion that fans have for soccer than anything else.

 

Soccer players are among the world’s finest athletes, and should receive that same type of respect that other athletes receive.

 

I am not certain if individuals do not realize the amount of function that goes into the sport and why it’s lagging in American popularity for the degree that it is, however it takes lots of difficult work and skill to play soccer. An athlete should not only have tremendous stamina and coordination, but also have superb footwork, which takes years to develop.

 

Soccer was once referred to as “the stunning game,” and it is certainly just that. Watching a great soccer match, to me, is like listening to a beautiful symphony; it’s simply breath-taking, and one thing you feel fortunate to have witnessed.

 

I am not positive if soccer players will ever get the type of esteem they deserve inside the United States. It seems sometimes like baseball, football, basketball and hockey have a stronghold within the country, and if any other sports do break into that realm, it is usually golf, tennis or NASCAR.

 

Whilst there are many fantastic athletes in distinctly American sports like baseball and football, I consider it is crucial to remember that soccer players are playing the world’s game, and that truly should count for one thing.

Click here - watch live soccer online

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace