UNITED KINGDOM: SOCCER - England football captain David Beckham launches a soccer academy near his birthplace in London's east end

Record ID: 691396

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: SOCCER - England football captain David Beckham launches a soccer academy near his birthplace in London's east end
  • Date: 29th November 2005
  • Summary: CU: MICHAEL OWEN'S REAL MADRID SHIRT (2 SHOTS)
  • Embargoed: 14th December 2005 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: People,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVACJ8BI7ISQ7QEAHS1CZI3VYF2J
  • Story Text: David Beckham opened his London soccer academy alongside the Millennium Dome on Monday (November 28), just a short distance from where the England captain was born.
    The 30-year-old Real Madrid midfielder watched a video presentation before taking part in skills sessions with local school children.
    "I never dreamed it would be anything like this and never dreamed that I'd have something like this but all I dreamed of when I was at the Bobby Charlton soccer academy was to be a Manchester United player or a professional player and I've achieved that, I've achieved a lot of things in my professional career; playing for Manchester United, playing for Real Madrid, captaining England, that's a massive honour for me, but on a personal note this academy is an amazing thing for me," Beckham said.
    "I'm not being biased but that's why this academy is different from any other soccer schools or academies out there. It gives the kids opportunities to come down....it's not about elitism in this academy, it's about kids coming down and having fun. They can learn about different parts of their body and how to look after themselves physically. There's going to be a healthy eating menu out there and a classroom for kids to learn all about respect on the field and off the field and that's what I want to achieve, something kids can learn in the academy but also something they can take out into their lives," HE ADDED.
    The academy has two full-size pitches plus classrooms, training facilities, changing rooms and restaurants.
    The academy will welcome boys and girls aged eight to 15 of all abilities. It will take in 15,000 children a year, 10,000 of them free.
    The academy will be run by director of coaching Eric Harrison, formerly a youth team coach at Manchester United for 18 years who played a part in developing an outstanding group of players including Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Gary and Phil Neville.
    Forming part of the regeneration of the Millennium Dome site, the Beckham academy is one of Britain's largest grassroots sporting initiatives. There is a sister academy in Los Angeles.
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