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FA coaching expert Mayer delivers courses for 7EA

By James Shaw, 01/21/19, 3:00AM MST

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7 Elite Academy is bringing coaching methods used by the world's top soccer clubs direct to Utah after a visit from Senior FA Coach Educator Keith Mayer.

The highly-regarded mentor, who has worked with coaches across Europe and beyond, spent ten days with 7EA staff in Salt Lake City, delivering Stage One and Two Coach Development courses.

The courses gave 7EA staff a key insight into the psychology and development of young players, using strategies that have served top-level soccer clubs across the world.

Mr Mayer, who also visited Utah for a similar series of courses in July 2018, was impressed by the level of interest shown by 7EA coaches.

He said: “It's been a wonderful experience for me again, working with the coaches from 7 Elite Academy over the past week and a half.

“They've been extremely receptive and very open to suggestions, that they've then gone on to apply in the coaching sessions during the evenings.

“I would like to extend some thanks to Shaylee and Ahmed Bakrim for helping to organise while I've been here. But I would particularly like to thank Anthony Godfrey for this making happen.

“Hopefully this opportunity will present itself again and I would certainly take it up.”

7 Elite Academy Global Technical Director, Anthony Godfrey, has previously worked with Keith Mayer to deliver coaching courses and was delighted to bring him back to Utah.

He said: “I would like on behalf of myself and everyone from 7EA thank Keith yet again for sharing his time, experience and his inspiring mentoring with all the coaches who attended his courses.

“Knowing Keith very well and what he brings to coach development and the environment as a whole, I know 7EA will be taking another step in the right direction towards our objectives of bettering the game within the state of Utah.”

The courses included modules on creating a positive environment for players to learn and grow, the social corner of team-building, designing effective sessions plans and understanding the end goal of coaching strategies.

Shaylee Wilson, 7EA Regional DOC for the Salt Lake City region – who worked with Mr Mayer throughout his visit – added: "Once again Keith has challenged me as a coach through his experience and knowledge as to how I deliver training sessions that will make a lasting impact on the players I have the opportunity to work with."

"Opportunities to learn from such highly experienced coaches and mentors like Keith, in our own 7EA club setting, enriched and benefits all of our coaches and players alike.

"These past two weeks have been mentally challenging and tiring as I self-reflect and work to implement the ideas and training principles learned and we all look forward to more of these educational opportunities."