INTER CAMPUS MARACAJAÚ: TRAINING ON THE BEACH

MARACAJAU – From the red clay of Luanda in Angola, to the small strip of concrete at Bafoussam prison in Cameroon. From the endless green of Naggalama in Uganda, to the landfill site in Asuncion, Paraguay. From the clay of Hergla in Tunisia to the hard, outdated surfaces in Eastern Europe. We’ve even come across the odd artificial pitch like in Casablanca, Morocco. The list could go on longer than one of captain Zanetti’s bursts down the right flank but our training session in Maracajaú was without doubt one of the most unusual.

We’re in Rio Grande do Norte in the north east of Brazil, in a small fishing village near Pittinga, where for many years we’ve worked alongside the Fundação Vida. We arrange to meet at 08:30 outside Braz’s place. Long-serving local coach Braz, along with Romualdo, works with the 80 kids in the project. We look over at the beach: the low tide leaves a nice firm area of sand, so it’s off with our shoes and socks and we’re underway! We did have a few doubts to be honest. We were concerned the kids might get distracted – by the sea, the sand and the people on the beach – losing focus and intensity. But nothing of the sort happened. This wonderful backdrop proved exciting and engaging for the children and 90 minutes flew by amid big smiles and lots of fun.

From an educational perspective, we usually run basic or applied technical drills. We start with running with the ball, before moving onto dummies and dribbling. We continue with control to protect the ball, before it’s onto to how strike it with a pass and a shot on goal. Yesterday though, making the most of the soft playing surface, we gradually brought in diving headers and more elaborate efforts, harnessing the enthusiasm and creativity of the youngsters involved, before the usual short match to finish.

The session ended to a series of hugs, smiles and thanks. In the distance, some young people were doing capoeira. They too had decided to use this wonderful scene to do sport first thing in the morning. This time it was us thanking all the kids because we won’t forget an experience like this in a hurry. Muito obrigado!

02.05.2016