About
“What I notice particularly is that policy-makers in football are never really concerned about individuals, all they’re interested in is the team as a whole. Yet a team consists of eleven individuals who each need attention. I often wonder if we’re making the most of the qualities players have to offer.”
Johann Cruyff – European Player of the Century
Mission
At Olé Football Academy, success is not measured by the number of league championships that are won, but rather on the level of personal and football development that players achieve through participating in our programs. Olé is focused on the individual, and have a proven track record of developing and placing elite New Zealand players at US Universities and professional clubs. Through passion, commitment, and science, Olé creates an environment that empowers our players with the skills and character to succeed in both football and life.
Philosophy
Olé Football Academy was founded on the idea that the team too often gets in the way of individual player development. Winning becomes the main emphasis, and long term development objectives are sacrificed for short term wins. The big, athletic kids are used in defense to stop goals, not encouraged to take risks, and their technical skills suffer as a result. Meanwhile the skillful players are praised for their offensive abilities, but often can’t head or defend and then struggle to make an impact at the elite levels. All the while most training sessions are designed so that the entire group is doing the same thing, all players assumed to have the same needs. Individualized training protocols are either not a priority or are not implemented due to lack of knowledge, coaches, or resources.
Olé has found better ways to develop players:
- Person – Player – Team
- MATH
- IQ Training
- 10,000 hour rule
- Development Pyramid
PERSON – PLAYER –TEAM - Everything starts with the person; behind every great player is a person who has overcome a lifetime of personal and athletic adversity before rising to the top. One cannot help their team, or be an elite player, if they do not possess the passion, determination, and social skills to tackle the challenges that life and football present. Therefore it is paramount to our success as an academy to foster these personality traits in our players.
MATH – Olé has looked at what it takes to be an elite player and broken it down into four necessary qualities:
- Match Intelligence – decision making and tactical awareness
- Athleticism – speed, strength, fitness
- Technique – passing, receiving, dribbling, finishing, defending
- Heart – passion, commitment, social skills
This is then used as a road map for what and when to teach young players as they progress through the system. It also provides a standardized common language between players and coaches so that areas of weakness are identified and goals for improvement can be set.
IQ TRAINING – At Olé we take a very scientific approach to player development and are committed to staying up to date with the latest research to provide our players with the best possible opportunity to reach their dreams. Individualize and Quantify (IQ) Training is finding ways to quantify performance, and provide metrics that allow players to set measurable goals and compare themselves with players around the world.
10,000 HOUR RULE – The idea that talent is born, that Tiger Woods and Mozart were destined to become great, is now being refuted by scientific evidence. Numerous recent books provide confirmation that, despite popular belief, talent is not born, it is grown. (read the Talent Code by Daniel Coyle if you are unfamiliar) This research has been embraced at Olé and our programs are set up to provide players with the opportunity to increase both the quantity and quality of their football training. The road to elite level football is steep and difficult, the 10,000 hour proves there are no short cuts. However, for players with the motivation to get there, Olé has proven it can provide the support and guidance to turn their dreams into reality.
DEVELOPMENT PYRAMID – Objectives at Olé are clearly defined, and a staff of former ex-professional players understand what it takes to achieve them. As players increase in age, our programs increase in:
- Frequency of trainings per week
- Complexity of the content being taught
- Ability and skill level in the training groups
So as players progress through the pyramid, so does their level of commitment and ability.
Overall, the philosophy at Olé is that every player who participates in our programs will look back on the experience later in life and feel they learned something valuable. Whether that is the work ethic and competitiveness to get through medical school, the teamwork and compassion to volunteer, or the technique to become a pro footballer.
“The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.” Don Williams Jr – American Novelist
Alumni
Jake Gleeson - Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer
- Jake Gleeson
- Corey Chettleburgh
- Mike Wilson
- Cole Peverley
- Luis Esteves
- Nik Robson
- Ben Hunt
- Jordan Cooper
- Kieran Purcell
- Alexei Davies-Campbell
- Craig Henderson
- Dan Keat
- Michael O’Keeffe
- Sam Blackburn
- Nick Corliss
- Admir Belicevac
- Finlay Milne
- Michael Eagar
- Mark Bartlett
- Thomas Spragg
- James Routledge
- Hayden Sander
Staff
Nate Winkel – Director
Nate began his football career at Marquette University and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration before embarking on an 8-year professional footballing career with Minnesota Thunder (USA), Virginia Beach Mariners (USA), Höllvikens GIF (Sweden), Carolina Dynamo (USA) and Högaborgs BK (Sweden). Nate then came to New Zealand to play for Team Wellington before moving to China to become Director of Club Development for QiLin Football Club, Shanghai’s largest international youth club. Nate returned to New Zealand to take up the role of Director at Olé Football Academy in 2009 where he has played a key role in developing and exporting NZ players. Winkel is currently the Technical Director for the New Zealand Professional Footballers Association (NZPFA’s) Tomorrow’s All Whites project, which helps to find elite NZ players US University scholarships. Additionally, Winkel is the New Zealand Director of Libero Sports, who manages the careers of many players including current All Whites Jake Gleeson and Cole Peverley. His experience, global network, expertise on the field, and in the office, is leading Olé in an exciting new direction that provides unique opportunities for talented NZ players.
James Prosser – Director of Player Development
James graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Education from Butler University, whilst playing in 3 NCAA tournaments. He played professionally from 1999 to 2005 with the Myrtle Beach Sea Dawgs, Wilmington Hammerheads, Indiana Blast, and Minnesota Thunder (All USA). He also trained internationally with Werder Bremen (Germany), Roda JC (Holland), HJK (Finland), and Northern Spirit (Australia). Before choosing to come to Olé he was assistant coaching at the Division 1 University level, first at the University of Louisville from 2006 to 2008, and at the University of Central Florida from 2008 to 2010. He also has experience as a Camps/Clinics Director for the Minnesota Thunder and the Indiana Blast (US professional clubs), as well as coaching for numerous US elite youth clubs from 2000 to 2010. He holds a USSF (United States Soccer Federation) B License. Prossers experience working with elite young players in an emerging football country has prepared him well to develop the next generation of elite NZ players.
David Plowright – Football Operations Manager
David attended Wellington College, achieving School Honours in Football for his services to playing, coaching and refereeing the game. After graduating high school, he travelled to the US to take Head Soccer Coach roles at numerous summer camps. David then travelled to England, observing coaching practices at professional clubs such as Newcastle United, Colchester United and MK Dons, and training with Conference North side Kings Lynn FC. David returned to New Zealand and attended Massey University, where he graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Sport Business Management. David is also an avid Futsal player and is a member of the New Zealand FutsalWhites National Team.
Andy Barron – Staff Coach
Andy attended William Carey University, being named an NAIA All-American, before graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Business Management. Andy played professionally in Ireland with Lisburn Distillery and in the US with the Minnesota Thunder. Andy made his international debut for New Zealand in 2006 and was named in the 23-man squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He came on as a substitute against Italy in New Zealand’s second Group F match. Andy assists with the Olé Premier Academy focusing on the midfielders and attackers.
Mark Bartlett – Staff Coach
Mark was a member of the New Zealand Secondary Schools football team in 2003 and 2004, touring Australia and Europe respectively. He was a member of the side who famously beat England Schoolboys 1-0. In 2003, Mark was named in the New Zealand Under-17 National Team and competed in the 2003 OFC Under-17 Football Championship in Australia. Mark attended Stanford University, being named the 20th best college recruit of 2004 by Soccer America and tabbed as one of the “100 freshmen to keep an eye on” by College Soccer News. He was named a Pac-10 All-Academic honourable mention and graduated in 2008 with a Bachelors Degree in Chemistry. Mark assists with the Olé Premier Academy focusing on the defenders.
