Xcel Performance Coaching

𝗥𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲: 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻/𝗧𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻! 📣

To celebrate the start of the new academic year AND our recent announcement as an England Futsal Youth Development Partner, we're delighted to be hosting a FREE Open/Taster Session for our Xcel Performance Coaching Raise Your Game Programme this Friday! 🙌

📍 Christ the King College – Indoors
📅 Friday 4th September - This Friday!
1️⃣ U8s & U9s | 5:30pm-6:30pm
2️⃣ U10s & U11s | 6:30pm-7:30pm

Our longest-standing and original development programme - Raise Your Game, runs every Friday evening and uses futsal-based training to supplement players' existing grassroots football commitments 📈

With smaller-sided games, more touches, decisions and individual actions, sessions are specifically designed to challenge and develop players both on and off the ball - all within a competitive, fun and progressive environment! 🔥

Whether you're already familiar with Xcel or completely new to us, this Friday is the perfect opportunity to come along, experience a session and find out more about the programme - completely FREE! 🙌

To attend, all we require is for you to click and complete the online expression of interest form attached below ⬇️

https://app.360Player.com/registration/xcelperformancecoaching/c8710e83-f861-45ff-8003-cc1e1bc250cd

We'd love to welcome as many young players as possible this Friday! And, as we look to reach players from clubs and teams right across the Island, we'd hugely appreciate any likes, shares and tags to help us spread the word! 🙏

𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘀𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽! 📣

It’s finally official! 🎉 We’re absolutely delighted to share a HUGE announcement, as we confirm our new partnership with England Futsal! 🦁

England Futsal are England Football's official licensed delivery partner for operating and growing the sport of futsal across England. This includes the delivery and development of youth and senior competitions, the national representative teams and elite youth pathway, alongside coaching and officiating courses and development 🙌

As part of this exciting partnership, Xcel Performance Coaching will become the recognised Youth Development Partner for the Isle of Wight, allowing us to continue driving, developing and promoting youth futsal opportunities across the Island! 📈

Futsal has been a significant part of Xcel since our formation, with the format playing a key role within our player development model. This has been particularly evident through our Raise Your Game and Level Up development centre programmes both at Christ the King College, while our Xcel FC representative teams have also gained valuable exposure to the format ⚽️

Alongside this, we’ve continued to create further opportunities through futsal game nights, festivals and youth tournaments - giving more young players the chance to experience the game and the many developmental benefits it can provide! 🏆

This partnership represents an exciting next step for futsal on the Isle of Wight, and we’re incredibly excited about what we can build alongside England Futsal 👊

And this is just the beginning… 👀

We’re looking forward to sharing more information very soon about what comes next, including new opportunities for both individual players and local clubs to get involved in futsal across the Island! 🙏

𝗫𝗰𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀 - 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟰! 📣

Another Tuesday and another fantastic day across both our Xcel Performance Coaching Football Development Camp and Xcel FC Player Development Camp at The Bay CE School - Community Facilities! 🔥

As always, we kicked off the morning with ball mastery and individual technical work, providing plenty of repetition and opportunities for players to develop their ability and confidence. Although, for this week, our focus was shooting and all things attacking - so our practice was designed with this in mind! ⚽️

This then progressed into a 1vs1 activity, with the defender recovering to provide realistic pressure for the attacker - with both practices producing some absolute rockets! 🚀 Whilst we were treated to some stunning saves from the goalkeepers attending today, who definitely faced their fair share of shots! 🙌

Ater break, our Football Development camp players completed their competitions - with them all competing to be crowned winners of our penalty shootout and American shootout challenges! 🏆 Whilst our Xcel FC Player Development camp players took part in a transition based practice, which started from a shooting opportunity one end, to then a 2vs1 with a further two recovering defenders. Before progressing with bigger numbers up to a 3vs3, and layered detail with breaking line runs 📈

Then after lunch, all groups enjoyed their small sided games - with our youngest players enjoying a 3vs3 tournament and our older group having a 3 team competition! 💪

Yet again, we'd like to give a big thank you to all the players on behalf of our coaching team - with the behaviour, conduct and engagement demonstrated throughout the camp making the day the success it was, and we're already looking forward to our fifth and final camp week next Tuesday where we get to do it all again! 🤩

𝗫𝗰𝗲𝗹 𝗙𝗖 𝗨𝟭𝟯'𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁! 📣

After a well deserved off-season, and several weeks of hard work over the preseason period so far. The boys finally got a chance to get themselves back on the pitch against Southampton FC's FP PDC (Residential), in what was some scorching conditions at Hampshire FA's Stoneham Lane complex 🏆

With the heat playing its part, it was a slightly slow start as the boys looked to find their rhythm, with Saints starting brightly and forcing a great early save from Dan. However, we soon grew into the game, with some excellent build-up play seeing Dan play short, Davy break the lines and George release Alex Reese, who was brought down for a penalty. George stepped up and calmly converted to give us the lead! 🙌

A few tactical and personnel changes helped us take greater control in the second quarter, with some excellent passages of play and switches of play. Although, Saints levelled with a brilliantly taken free kick, but the response was immediate, as some great pressing forced the ball loose for George to smash into the top corner! 🚀

The third quarter saw more strong pressing and quick transitional play, with Alex R winning possession before Stan released Clarke, who made an instant impact from the bench - rolling his defender and firing low past the goalkeeper to secure a two goal lead and make it 3-1! 🔥

As the heat took its toll, Saints created opportunities to get back into the game, but some strong defending and several excellent saves from Albie kept them out. With the boys then seeing out the final quarter with some really positive football to complete an overall strong performance! 💪

Goalscorers: George ⚽️⚽️ & Clarke ⚽️

MOTM: George 🏅

With honourable mentions going to both Alex and Albie for their efforts, especially with Albie playing the second half in goal! 👊

Whilst U13's manager - Aaron, wanted to add 🗣 "The boys put in a really hardworking display today in difficult conditions, showing some great moments of build up play and control throughout the game, as well as some individual quality across the pitch which really lays a great foundation for us moving forwards. The first pre-season game back is never going to be perfect, but there were plenty of positives to take away, alongside a number of things to work on - which is to be expected. But overall I was very happy with the performance and result. Especially in the way in which the boys conducted themselves, and adapted to what was asked of them, particularly against hardworking opposition.” 👏

𝗫𝗰𝗲𝗹 𝗙𝗖 𝗨𝟭𝟰'𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁! 📣

Our Xcel Performance Coaching U14's put in a strong showing on Thursday vs Southampton FC's FC PDC (Residential), and despite not winning the fixture, can certainly take many positives away! 💪

Early on, we looked to control possession with some calm and calculated movements off the ball. Which was rewarded when Jacob Lee found himself on the end of a brilliant pass from Louis Fearn, which put him through on goal and one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Jacob stayed calm, and coolly slotted the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs, following the ball into the goal to give Xcel the lead! 👊

Although, despite the boys having the lion’s share of possession, we struggled to convert them into further goalscoring opportunities and had to settle going into half-time with only a one-goal lead. So, at the interval, we moved to a back three and looked to overload higher up the pitch, while also challenging the boys by playing in a somewhat unfamiliar formation. With this being a change from what the boys were used to, there was naturally a transition period. During this, the Saints striker found himself weaving through the back line before calmly slotting the ball home to level the score. But the boys showed real resilience and calmly continued with the game plan despite the setback. This eventually led to Reuben Bonner turning his marker, driving towards the byline with pace, and playing a pinpoint ball across the box for Harrisen McGuire to fire home from close range to restore our goal advantage 🙏

The boys stuck to the plan and continued to move the ball well, still holding the majority of possession. However, Saints won a corner with seconds remaining, from which they scored following a chaotic few seconds and a scramble around our goal line. So, with the result being level at full-time, both teams mutually decided to have a penalty shootout. Which saw an impressive 22 penalties taken, with Xcel scoring 9 out of our 11 penalties and Saints scoring 10 out of their 11 🤝

After last year's tough campaign, which still saw players join throughout, it's been fantastic to recruit further over the Summer - adding real strength in depth. With this fixture pulling together a lot of new faces, including 4 making their Xcel debuts. So all the players deserve a huge well done, with a special mention to our goalscorers and nominated man of the match below ⬇️

Goals: Jacob ⚽️ & Harrisen! ⚽️

MOTM: Jacob 🏅

Whilst U14's Manager - Alfie wanted to add 🗣 "The boys showed real maturity in their performance on Thursday, particularly with their attempts to move the ball from side to side throughout the game. However, this is something we can definitely continue to work on as we move into future fixtures. I see no reason why these boys can’t push on and really look to succeed this year. As the base is there, and it’s a very strong one at that!" 🙌

With a detailed report courtesy of Alfie, we're looking forward to sharing the goal highlights to bring the goals to life - so please keep an eye out for these! 👀

𝗫𝗰𝗲𝗹 𝗙𝗖 𝗨𝟭𝟮'𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁! 📣

​In the scorching heat at Hampshire FA's Stoneham Lane complex, our Xcel U12's demonstrated a positive display to secure a dominant 7-2 victory against Southampton FC's FP PDC (Residential) side! 🙌

Throughout 4 entertaining quarters, the team retained possession well. With the workrate from everybody in what was sweltering conditions, capping off an exceptional performance! With the game an excellent first outing for our U12's side, showcasing much of what we've worked on - including being calm in possession, to ultimately be decisive and progress with the ball! 👏

The whole squad deserve a huge well done, whilst a special mention for our both our goalscorers and nominated man of the match ⬇️

Goals: Theo H ⚽⚽, Stan ⚽⚽, Joseph ⚽⚽️ & Bodhi ⚽

MOTM: Bodhi 🥇

Whilst U12's Manager - Charlie, also wanted to add 🗣 "A really positive display from the lads. Collectively, we made the right decisions in and out of possession, and it was wonderful to see the new additions to the squad fitting in seamlessly with our existing players." 💪

Well done all, and we're looking forward to sharing the goal highlights - with some absolute crackers included! 🚀