Derek Willis

Technical Director, @kyyouthsoccer

[Derek Willis @derek_willis]

Write up on my trip to Scotland with @SportsbyWS

https://t.co/byKmbTF0EK

@EricMcA

[Derek Willis @derek_willis]

Big thanks to @SpaldingMSOC & @spaldingwsoccer for helping us with our @KYYouthSoccer State Open Cup Semi’s and Finals! @adamrboyer @J_Vejar_17

[Racing Louisville FC @RacingLouFC]

Reppin’ the red, white & blue 🇺🇸

@emmasearss has been called up by the @USWNT for a pair of friendlies against Brazil on June 6 and 9!

🔗 https://t.co/njB3xEVy78

[Racing Louisville FC @RacingLouFC]

https://t.co/r7sEpC3COw

[KY Youth Soccer @KYYouthSoccer]

KYSA is thrilled to welcome Trace as its new Official Sideline Video partner. Trace is revolutionizing the use of video by leveraging AI technology to seamlessly identify, follow, and spotlight each player on the field, providing an enhanced viewing experience.
AND KYSA selected teams are eligible to receive (1) FREE sideline camera and (1) PRO subscription for the first person who checks out. Head to https://t.co/NKQCCtHRfl to get your game footage equipment today!

[Borussia Dortmund @BlackYellow]

We almost missed them. Almost.

[Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano]

💙🤍 Schalke 04 return to Bundesliga, promotion under coach Miron Muslic who leads the project.

A special moment for Edin Dzeko, Loris Karius & co.

[Derek Willis @derek_willis]

Gelsenkirchen will be rocking tonight. Looking forward to seeing the Revier Derby again.

[Racing Louisville FC @RacingLouFC]

Global recognition for the gaffer 🌎

Bev Yanez came in at No. 14 on ESPN’s recently published ranking of the world’s best women's club managers!

[National Women’s Soccer League @NWSL]

Making her return to the NWSL 💫

Houston Dash sign 2021 fifth-overall NWSL Draft pick and midfielder Emina Ekić through 2027.

[Derek Willis @derek_willis]

@NeverlandMGMT @emina_ekic10 @HoustonDash Congrats @emina_ekic10!!

[SoccerWire @TheSoccerWire]

The U.S. U-16 Girls National Team defeated host nation Spain, 3-1, in their 2nd match at the L'Albir WU16 Tournament:

🇺🇸 10' – Own Goal
🇺🇸 37' – Avery Walbruch (Isabella Ortiz)
🇺🇸 56' – Kayleigh Cabigon (Isabella Ortiz)
🇪🇸 79' – Adriadna Casanovas Alvarez (Aiora Sarasola Sanchez)

https://t.co/aaUKo6NXtW

[CentreCollegeSoccer @CentreSoccer]

Danville ➡️ Premier League!

#CentreSoccer @CentreAlumni Phil Shehan & @Coventry_City are headed to the @premierleague after winning promotion!🏆

Phil dominated his SR year, scoring against every team in the SAA, conference champion & NCAA run

Different Level - Same Mentality

[CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ @CBSSportsGolazo]

CHARLIE KELMAN OH MY DAYS 😱😱😱

The American with a LOVELY finish to ensure Charlton's survival in the Championship for next season 🔥

[Football Tweet ⚽ @Footballtweet]

🤯 𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗘: The most dramatic promotion ever witnessed and the emotion is there to be seen. You can 𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟 it. You can 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗖𝗛 it.

The most epic title race deserved to have the most epic of finishes.

[Racing Louisville FC @RacingLouFC]

Enter into the ring 🥊

🆚 Orlando Pride
🏃‍♀️ Girls & Women in Sports Night
⏰ 5:30 p.m.
🏟️ Lynn Family Stadium
🎟️ https://t.co/hniTD62P2S

[Men in Blazers @MenInBlazers]

Carla, a laundry worker for 27 years at Dutch club Go Ahead Eagles, was honored with a tifo and pre-game presentation before she retires at the end of the season 👏

Sometimes football is brilliant 🥹

[Derek Willis @derek_willis]

Congrats Kiley!

[Racing Louisville FC @RacingLouFC]

Promoted to the first team 📶

Louisville native Kiley Polk has joined the staff as a full-time assistant coach following her stint with the Racing Academy!

“This club has given me endless opportunities to grow, for which I’m truly thankful.”

🔗 https://t.co/ONcAoIb9qy

[Racing Louisville FC @RacingLouFC]

Promoted to the first team 📶

Louisville native Kiley Polk has joined the staff as a full-time assistant coach following her stint with the Racing Academy!

“This club has given me endless opportunities to grow, for which I’m truly thankful.”

🔗 https://t.co/ONcAoIb9qy

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

Brighton & Hove Albion are regularly praised for getting things right on and off the pitch. So here’s a glimpse into one area. Culture. A lot of Brighton’s academy work is “player-led”, encouraging responsibility-taking. So when Jack Hinshelwood was given his first-team debut by Roberto De Zerbi three years ago, he could cope - at 18. The pathway continues. Another Worthing-born player is midfielder Harry Howell, who joined the club aged seven, was in the Under-18s at 14, and has already played seven times for Fabian Hurzeler – at 17.

When academy players are called across to the first-team pitch at training it’s clearly not just to make up the numbers. “It’s for their long-term development,” Hurzeler says. It’s also for the team’s benefit. Hurzeler, like De Zerbi before him, gives them a chance to shine. “The pathway is very clear for the players,” says academy manager Ian Buckman. It’s Brighton’s culture.

Whether under De Zerbi, who hosts his old club today with Spurs, or now under the youthful and very impressive Hurzeler, Brighton’s culture is “about developing people as well as players”, adds Buckman. This central quality of taking responsibility is key to their education as people and development as players. It’s embodied in Hinshelwood’s ability and willingness to play different positions, and his hunger for self-improvement in doing his coaching badges. He got his B licence at 20.

I joined Buckman and Under-21s head coach Shannon Ruth in watching a game at academy training this week. One thing that was immediately apparent was how player-led it was. The coaches were there, making the occasional tactical tweak or observation or straightforward encouragement, and the players listened intently. The focus, though, was very much on the players taking responsibility, getting on with the game.

Buckman points to the education they receive, and a culture that encourages players to do their coaching badges in promoting responsibility-taking. “Jack will be an excellent coach,” Buckman says. “He has great knowledge of the game. A lot of the boys come through like that. Jack would have a footballing background with the family (third generation pro), obviously, and would live and breathe the game.

“In terms of our younger players, you're trying to get them to areas to be more player-led within training. The players will speak and deliver within analysis meetings. You start to see a different type of player, slightly more inquisitive, questioning more about the game, more engaged in their individual development plans. They want to take accountability and responsibility for what they do.” On and off the field.

It’s why Hinshelwood could step from the academy and take charge in a range of roles, and why there are high hopes for Howell and for defender Freddie Simmonds. Attackers Tyler Silsby and Aidan West are amongst other academy players to contribute to a collective 600 training session involvements with the first team this season. “A lot of players go across,” Buckman smiles. “Some like Harry and Freddie…that might be 30, 40, 50 appearances. They're always keen to involve the 18s and 21s. We've even got an Under-16 who's been up and around the first team for training. It just makes it really real for them.”

Mentoring then comes from senior players like Danny Welbeck (also tactically with Hinshelwood), James Milner, Lewis Dunk, Pascal Gross, Adam Webster and Jason Steele, amongst others. “That's one of the magical pieces that we have,” Buckman adds. “We're lucky with some good role models with the senior players who educate them.” #BHAFC 1/2