On January 17th 2007 David Beckham held a press conference announcing
his departure from Real Madrid to embark upon a move to LA Galaxy. As we learnt details of the Beckham road show going transatlantic, halfway across Europe Mark Ollerton was sat in a business studies lecture at Manchester Metropolitan University unaware their lives were heading down a similar path.
Beckham cited his main desire in moving to America was to raise the profile of football in the country, opening his own academy. He said: “Soccer is huge all over the world except in America and that’s where I want to make a difference with the kids.”
This sentiment struck a chord with Mark Ollerton who whilst playing football in Leeds was approached with the opportunity to coach children in America with Challenger Sports British Soccer Camps. For the last twenty years Challenger sports have ran summer soccer camps that offer professional FA qualified football coaching to nurture America‘s up and coming talent.
Inspired by his boyhood hero’s move Ollerton took up Challenger’s offer having a similar ambition to his idol. “I saw it as a great opportunity to do something fulfilling and truly different with my life.” To guarantee his place with the company he had to gain the necessary qualifications. He determinedly sacrificed his spare time to become a level one FA approved coach, making him eligible to join the Challenger team for a rigorous training weekend at Warwick University.
In March 2007 while Ollerton was struggling slightly but still working hard towards his dream of California, LA bound Beckham had resolved his differences with Fabio Capello. Making inwards back into the Real Madrid first team and inspiring the Galaticos to their first and only piece of silverware during his four year stay, the La Liga title. Both men for contrasting reasons must have been starting to doubt the timing of their moves across the pond.
After a continued effort Ollerton secured a place in the US for the summer and picked up a notable milestone. “I beat Beckham to America! He was landing at LAX airport on the 12th and us Challenger boys landed on the 11th. It may not mean a lot but it’s still odd to think I beat Beckham to America.” Although he adds the nature of his arrival was somewhat understated in comparison: “It’s fair to say there wasn’t quite as much of a frenzy for us arriving as there was when he landed a day later.”
During his three months in the sweltering California sun Ollerton spent a week at a time visiting the regions various soccer camps, lodging with hospitable families. He thoroughly enjoyed the experience of coaching children and watching them develop. “There was nothing greater than being with the kids and seeing them bust out a step over or two come Friday.” Ollerton understood his responsibility as a coach not just in terms of teaching the children activities and games to improve their ability but also as a role model to the youngsters.
Confidently he claims to have done this rather well telling tales of the armies of fans he amassed during his travels, young and old. “Whenever we left a camp at the end of the week, the kids would run up for autographs and pictures. We felt like superstars.” It must have been rather difficult not to suffer a slight ego trip with all this attention he and his fellow coaches were getting, especially when often the parents were in even more awe than the children. “The parents used to go mental getting their cameras out all the time, that was mostly the mum’s.” Cheekily adding with a rye smile: “we quite liked it when they came to see us.”
Having coached at home and in America surely Ollerton is the ideal person to be drawn on the big question. Which country is currently producing the more talented youngsters? He pauses for a second……....possibly considering just how patriotic he is and replies: “You only have to look at the performances of the American national team during recent world cups to realise as a nation they’re improving because of that and of course Beckham’s high profile move, there has been a greater focus on raising their standards. Starting at grass roots level.”
He suggests that if the growing profile of football can connect with America’s win at all cost mentality, then one day Beckham’s vision may be realised and the standard of football in America could be on par with Europe. Ollerton said: “In my opinion what I’ve seen of the MLS I’d say the teams seem to be Championship standard. Although with the introduction of proven Premiership stars such as Freddie Ljungberg, Brian McBride and Darren Huckerby joining Beckham the level is sure to rise.”
Jeff Tipping, Director of Coaching Education and Development with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America agrees with Ollerton’s view, stating: “Beckham has had a major impact on the soccer scene here.” Although he eagerly highlights that the superstars move to LA Galaxy has mostly brought increased media attention to the game in America rather than a huge improvement. “We’ve been trying to raise the profile of the game for a long time and to be honest soccer has been going through the roof here for quite a number of years before David‘s arrival. We just needed something that would attract the press and Beckham certainly does that.”
Once his time with Challenger came to an end Ollerton took a well earned rest sampling the glitz and glamour of The Golden State. Becoming a Laguna Beach regular and swindling his way into celebrity parties with Hollywood’s elite. “One of my favourite memories was when a group of us blagged our way into a VIP nightclub by pretending we played for West Ham United.” Somehow it worked leaving Ollerton with a pinch yourself moment: “It was unbelievable we were at a bar with Leonardo Dicaprio and Eva Mendes. We even had Colin Farrell asking us about life in England.”
It wasn’t all fun and games though as Ollerton recounts an ill fated roadtrip that ended in him and his companions crossing the Mexican boarder unsure of what to do next. “It was a bit scary as we didn’t have a clue how we’d get back, thankfully we rang our bosses at Challenger and they managed to save us.”
Nearly two years later Ollerton is now a veteran of Challenger’s summer coaching camps, completing his second stint in California this year. Currently he is back in Manchester completing his final year of studies and relishing returning to the US, this time as a supervisor. Reflecting upon coming home he jokingly said: “It’s grim! The other day I was thinking about getting a rope and hanging myself. It never stops raining here.” Ollerton is determined to finish his Business studies degree believing he can apply it to his work in the summer. “After I get my degree my desire is to work fulltime with Challenger and hopefully in time set up my own independent soccer school. I can’t wait to get back out there.”
his departure from Real Madrid to embark upon a move to LA Galaxy. As we learnt details of the Beckham road show going transatlantic, halfway across Europe Mark Ollerton was sat in a business studies lecture at Manchester Metropolitan University unaware their lives were heading down a similar path.
Beckham cited his main desire in moving to America was to raise the profile of football in the country, opening his own academy. He said: “Soccer is huge all over the world except in America and that’s where I want to make a difference with the kids.”
This sentiment struck a chord with Mark Ollerton who whilst playing football in Leeds was approached with the opportunity to coach children in America with Challenger Sports British Soccer Camps. For the last twenty years Challenger sports have ran summer soccer camps that offer professional FA qualified football coaching to nurture America‘s up and coming talent.
Inspired by his boyhood hero’s move Ollerton took up Challenger’s offer having a similar ambition to his idol. “I saw it as a great opportunity to do something fulfilling and truly different with my life.” To guarantee his place with the company he had to gain the necessary qualifications. He determinedly sacrificed his spare time to become a level one FA approved coach, making him eligible to join the Challenger team for a rigorous training weekend at Warwick University.
In March 2007 while Ollerton was struggling slightly but still working hard towards his dream of California, LA bound Beckham had resolved his differences with Fabio Capello. Making inwards back into the Real Madrid first team and inspiring the Galaticos to their first and only piece of silverware during his four year stay, the La Liga title. Both men for contrasting reasons must have been starting to doubt the timing of their moves across the pond.
After a continued effort Ollerton secured a place in the US for the summer and picked up a notable milestone. “I beat Beckham to America! He was landing at LAX airport on the 12th and us Challenger boys landed on the 11th. It may not mean a lot but it’s still odd to think I beat Beckham to America.” Although he adds the nature of his arrival was somewhat understated in comparison: “It’s fair to say there wasn’t quite as much of a frenzy for us arriving as there was when he landed a day later.”
During his three months in the sweltering California sun Ollerton spent a week at a time visiting the regions various soccer camps, lodging with hospitable families. He thoroughly enjoyed the experience of coaching children and watching them develop. “There was nothing greater than being with the kids and seeing them bust out a step over or two come Friday.” Ollerton understood his responsibility as a coach not just in terms of teaching the children activities and games to improve their ability but also as a role model to the youngsters.
Confidently he claims to have done this rather well telling tales of the armies of fans he amassed during his travels, young and old. “Whenever we left a camp at the end of the week, the kids would run up for autographs and pictures. We felt like superstars.” It must have been rather difficult not to suffer a slight ego trip with all this attention he and his fellow coaches were getting, especially when often the parents were in even more awe than the children. “The parents used to go mental getting their cameras out all the time, that was mostly the mum’s.” Cheekily adding with a rye smile: “we quite liked it when they came to see us.”
Having coached at home and in America surely Ollerton is the ideal person to be drawn on the big question. Which country is currently producing the more talented youngsters? He pauses for a second……....possibly considering just how patriotic he is and replies: “You only have to look at the performances of the American national team during recent world cups to realise as a nation they’re improving because of that and of course Beckham’s high profile move, there has been a greater focus on raising their standards. Starting at grass roots level.”
He suggests that if the growing profile of football can connect with America’s win at all cost mentality, then one day Beckham’s vision may be realised and the standard of football in America could be on par with Europe. Ollerton said: “In my opinion what I’ve seen of the MLS I’d say the teams seem to be Championship standard. Although with the introduction of proven Premiership stars such as Freddie Ljungberg, Brian McBride and Darren Huckerby joining Beckham the level is sure to rise.”
Jeff Tipping, Director of Coaching Education and Development with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America agrees with Ollerton’s view, stating: “Beckham has had a major impact on the soccer scene here.” Although he eagerly highlights that the superstars move to LA Galaxy has mostly brought increased media attention to the game in America rather than a huge improvement. “We’ve been trying to raise the profile of the game for a long time and to be honest soccer has been going through the roof here for quite a number of years before David‘s arrival. We just needed something that would attract the press and Beckham certainly does that.”
Once his time with Challenger came to an end Ollerton took a well earned rest sampling the glitz and glamour of The Golden State. Becoming a Laguna Beach regular and swindling his way into celebrity parties with Hollywood’s elite. “One of my favourite memories was when a group of us blagged our way into a VIP nightclub by pretending we played for West Ham United.” Somehow it worked leaving Ollerton with a pinch yourself moment: “It was unbelievable we were at a bar with Leonardo Dicaprio and Eva Mendes. We even had Colin Farrell asking us about life in England.”
It wasn’t all fun and games though as Ollerton recounts an ill fated roadtrip that ended in him and his companions crossing the Mexican boarder unsure of what to do next. “It was a bit scary as we didn’t have a clue how we’d get back, thankfully we rang our bosses at Challenger and they managed to save us.”
Nearly two years later Ollerton is now a veteran of Challenger’s summer coaching camps, completing his second stint in California this year. Currently he is back in Manchester completing his final year of studies and relishing returning to the US, this time as a supervisor. Reflecting upon coming home he jokingly said: “It’s grim! The other day I was thinking about getting a rope and hanging myself. It never stops raining here.” Ollerton is determined to finish his Business studies degree believing he can apply it to his work in the summer. “After I get my degree my desire is to work fulltime with Challenger and hopefully in time set up my own independent soccer school. I can’t wait to get back out there.”
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