One training session in a Brazilian Favela is worth three anywhere else in the world.
We
have to keep the intensity of exercises very high to maintain the kids'
attention span (they are used to playing endless games with no rules)
and interest, to avoid the session descending into squabbles.
Working
on the principles of playing and healthy competition, a coach and
educator's role is above all to take an active part in the session, help
the kids to resolve problems on the field, support them with a smile
when they make mistakes and reward them when they succeed.
Most
of the time this is done with the bare minimum of equipment available.
For instance, in Villa do João - one of Rio's Favelas - we worked with
62 children with eight balls, a total of 30 cones and, unsurprisingly,
no bibs. The solution? Make do and get organised!
This is what
it's all about for the kids of Inter Campus. They have the right to take
part in a training session as if they were at La Pinetina. They have
the right to have fun, learn and grow.
