Media

This section contains articles & features about TW Sports by the media

Intro

This section contains articles and features about TW Sports by the media. These articles have been gathered through the years of operation of our company and are being constantly updated.

Reading this section you can stay most updated about the independent opinion of the media about the TWSports.Org Group.  

If any Media outlets would like to interview Tim Wareing you can complete the form below or contact Tim direct @ tim@twsports.org 


East Side George Best Tribute, May 2021

To mark what would have been George's 75th birthday East Side shared a series of videos featuring family, friends and fans.

Video one highlights some of their special memories of George.

Video two - describe George in three words.

Video three - what George meant to you.

Tim Wareing said, 'It was an honour to be featured in this mini video series.  Quite humbled being in these videos with all these stars talking about the BEST player from our wee country.  Happy heavenly 75th birthday George!'

Media

500
FOOTBALLERS AND FAMILIES
1080638
YOUTUBE VIEWS
3225
TWITTER FOLLOWERS
5070
FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS
11000
MAILSHOTS
9175
SITE SUBSCRIBERS
7897
MOBILE TEXT SHOT

Sunday Life, June 2020

WAREING'S FINE AND DANDY

TW Braga Academy Director Tim Wareing says he has "been humbled" by the generosity of the public, sponsors, football people and friends which has saved the club after being hit with a FIFA fine of 10,000 Swiss francs.

Last month, Sunday Life Sport broke the story of how Lisburn League youth side TW Braga and Coleraine and District League outfit Kilrea were rocked by hefty £8,500 punishments from world football's governing body over registration issues.

Both clubs set up GoFundMe pages, with Kilrea surpassing the required total within 24 hours.  Generously, they donated £1,000 to help TW Braga, who themselves have now reached the target and can pay the fine.

Wareing (below) revealed that a host of people came together in the club's hour of need, from the general public to friends and family as well as Larne owner Kenny Bruce, ex-Cliftonville and Coleraine ace Gerry Flynn and a number of companies including sponsors Subway - who provided a £2,500 contribution - Tag-Air and Castlevale Joinery.

"I really cannot thank everyone enough for what they have done for our club," said Wareing.

"I have been humbled by the generosity of so many people."

O Jogo Newspaper, June 2020

One of the National Portuguese newspapers featured a story on the FIFA fine against TW Braga.

Sky Sports News, June 2020

Northern Irish youth club beg for FIFA mercy over fine

Clip from Sky Sports News

An amateur youth football academy in Northern Ireland has pleaded with FIFA to waive a "crazy" fine of over £8,000 for a breach of player registration rules.

TW Braga say they cannot afford the financial penalty handed to them for their failure to properly register teenager Hassan Ayari, who now plays for Sheffield United.

Another grassroots club, Kilrea United, have been left overwhelmed after raising over £13,000 online to pay a similar fee.

The IFA, believed to be sympathetic towards the clubs, has been fined around £12,000 relating to the TW Braga case.

Below we examine how events unfolded.

TW Braga

The club: Named TW Braga so they would not be associated with being either a Protestant or Catholic club, they play in the Lisburn League as a youth football academy, opening their doors to all members of the community. Their business offers coaching for children and competitive games on a weekly basis. They also provide coaching for disabled kids.

The case: New York-born teenager Hassan Ayari joined the TW Braga academy following his move to Northern Ireland. He has since joined Sheffield United, training recently with their first team.

FIFA's discipline committee found TW Braga breached their regulations in relation to the 'registration of players and the protection of minors' when signing him. TW Braga insist they were told by local football authorities in Northern Ireland that it was fine because he was travelling on a European passport. He was registered on four separate occasions with three different clubs before joining Sheffield United. The club has now been forced to start a GoFundMe page to pay the bill before this week's deadline.

The reaction: "I was physically shaking when I got the email. This fine is crazy. They decided to fine the Russian FA and the Polish FA the same amount for racist banners from their supporters. We have been slightly naive. I feel so frustrated that this has come in a pandemic. I haven't worked since March and I'm under a lot of pressure at home just to pay bills.

"As a small grassroots club we have nowhere near that level of money available. It shows how out of touch FIFA are with the average Joe. We do this for the love of the game. I've given 25 years of my life to football but I feel so isolated and at a time we already have heightened anxiety with everything that's going on globally. Can we pay the fine? No we can't. I don't have it. The club doesn't have it. They're treating us like we're a professional club. If one of those clubs doesn't pay they are not able to compete in Europe or the Premier League so does that mean FIFA would stop us playing our small-sided games? FIFA is a law onto their own. It's disgusting. If the fine is less than 15,000 francs you can't even appeal it.

"It's an utter disgrace and shows how far detached they really are from grassroots football. We just followed the procedures that the league and IFA asked us to do to register the player at the time. FIFA said we should have had International Clearance and we weren't aware this had to be done at youth level. I'd heard about it around bigger transfers such as in the Premier League. Hassan came from New York on an EU passport because his mother is from Lithuania. We explained this scenario to our local league and were told if he was coming on an EU passport it was fine."

Tim Wareing (Academy Director)

Kilrea United

The club: A cross-community club based in a small village in Northern Ireland and the hometown of European Cup winner Martin O'Neill, they play in the Coleraine and District League. Their players do not get paid and they keep their club running with the help of local business sponsorship and they rely on social fundraisers such as 'night at the races' to pay pitch rental and travel costs for away games. They offer ball boys £5 to retrieve lost footballs on match day to prevent them having to pay out £52 for each lost item and their committee is made up of five volunteers who combine running the club with their day jobs as a barber, joiner, welder, bathroom salesman and window blind fitter.

The case: Kilrea signed 18-year old Pierce Hill-Worrall and received confirmation from their local league the Plymouth-born teenager was eligible to play. It emerged later he had not received international clearance when he originally moved to Northern Ireland a number of years earlier.

Kilrea were found to have breached the registration rules and lost out on their league title after being deducted nine points. They thought it was the end of the matter until the FIFA fine of almost £8,500 left them stunned. They have since raised the money via an online fundraising page and have also donated a sum of money to TW Braga.

The reaction: "Our secretary received the email and told us 'I hope you are sitting down for this.' As far as we were concerned the player in question was signed and we had confirmation from our local league. He played for two other clubs in Northern Ireland before this.

"The case was brought to the IFA and they found we were at fault. We got a points deduction and lost out on the league. It was a bitter pill to swallow but we took it on the chin. We feel the fine is disproportionate to the size of football club we are. That level of fine is given to national teams for bigger issues such as racism.

"That sum of money would keep us going for five years. We're a team made up of bricklayers and joiners and the people running the club are all volunteers. This is a scenario that big clubs like Liverpool have to deal with. None of us could bare the thought of the club folding so we started a GoFundMe page. It was the last throw of the dice and the response was incredible. We hit our target in less than 24 hours through donations from businesses and from the football community. We cannot thank them enough."

Benny Cunning (Committee Member)

FIFA has yet to offer a response.

Sunday Life, June 2020

ANOTHER FINE MESS FOR IFA AFTER BRAGA PUNISHMENT

The Irish FA have been fined around 12,000 Swiss francs by FIFA - hot on the heels of Sunday Life Sport last weekend revealing that Kilrea United and TW Braga had been hit with a similar punishment by world football's governing body.

Following our story, there has been huge support from the sporting world and general public for Coleraine and District League outfit Kilrea and Lisburn League Youth team TW Braga.

Taking a serious view on the registration of young players and international clearance, FIFA's Disciplinary Committee last month ordered Kilrea to pay almost £8,500 for fielding an unregistered player - English teenager Pierce Hill-Worrall - in the latter part of the 2018/2019 campaign and told TW Braga to do the same after investigating the registration of their former forward, Hassan Ayari, who is now with Sheffield United.

On the FIFA fine for the IFA, believed to be in relation to the TW Braga case, an Irish FA spokesperson said: "it is a confidential matter."

But an IFA source stated: "We have received a fine and are now in dialogue with FIFA to find out why we have been hit financially."

During the week, volunteer-run Kilrea set up a GoFundMe page in a bid to save the club and raised a staggering £13,740 thanks to the generosity of people in the town and across the country.

They plan to pay FIFA this week and will donate £1,000 to TW Braga, who have also set up a GoFundMe page in their fight for survival.

Kilrea intend to use the rest of the money to help the local community.

Chairman Davy Shiels said: "We are indebted to all the people who have helped us and we thank everyone for their support.  It means so much to everyone at the club that we can continue."

TW Braga Academy Director Tim Wareing said: "The Kilrea gesture is unbelievably generous.  The FIFA fine put me at my lowest point, but this week has been heart-warming, with support from family, friends and people in football like Larne owner Kenny Bruce, ex Cliftonville and Coleraine player Gerry Flynn, Ards FC and others who have donated.  I truly thank them for that."

BBC News, June 2020

'It's disgusting' - TW Braga Director on £8,500 FIFA fine.

When clubs are already struggling due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the clubs say the financial setback could not have come at a worse time.

FIFA's issue with TW Braga related to the registration of Hassan Ayari, who joined the club after living in New York.  His family loved Northern Ireland so much.

Tim Wareing, academy director at TW Braga, spotted then eight-year-old Ayari's ability on You Tube and after a conversation with his father, it was agreed he would join the club.

His mother is from Lithuania and, although he travelled on a European Union passport, FIFA has declared Ayari required international clearance despite, at the time, receiving advice to the contrary.

Ayari has since been picked up by Sheffield United and has been impressing in the Blades' academy set-up.

However Wareing said an email from FIFA, which contained the fine, "came out of the blue" in May.

"The information we were given then was he had travelled to Northern Ireland on an EU passport so we could register him like we would any other player," said Wareing.

"We felt that it had been dealt with.  We are a grassroots club in Northern Ireland, we followed the directive of what we were advised.

"If we are guilty of anything it is maybe a bot of naivety, it turns out he required an ICT, which is about international clearance and can be done for free by your governing body.

"We had no idea that this had to be done and no-one advised us to do this."

Despite the impact of his registration, Wareing says everyone at the club is proud of what Ayari has achieved.

"He's arguably the most technically gifted player I've worked with in 25 years as a coach," said Wareing.

"We won the Lisburn League in his first season in Northern Ireland.  He had a short spell at Irish League sides Cliftonville and Ards before returning back to Braga.

"His next move was to Sheffield United and the Premier League.  As a club we're over the moon that we played a part in his journey.

It's an absolute disgrace

Being self-employed and a father to four children, Wareing was understandably shocked by the news he had to find £8,500 at a time when many families are feeling the financial pinch.

"I was nearly shaking when I was reading the email.  For me, being self-employed, my last group session was on 18 March," he added.

"I don't want to make this a sob story because so many families up and down the country are going through the same thing.

"We are all struggling to pay bills and put food on the table for our families, so to see a fine of that amount from FIFA was disgusting."

At the 2018 World Cup, the Russian and Polish football associations were each fined 10,000 Swiss francs by FIFA for discriminatory and offensive banners in the crowd.

Wareing said he felt it was a disgrace that FIFA had handed out a similar punishment to those for racist and offensive banners.

He also pointed out that any fine issued by FIFA under 15,000 Swiss francs cannot be appealed against.

TW Braga were given 30 days to pay the fine, and with only 10 days remaining, Wareing says he wishes he had more support.

"It's the most isolated I've ever felt in my life," he added.

"I've been left as an individual, and as a grassroots club, to deal with the powers that be on my own.

"I was hoping we would get some support or guidance, but that hasn't been there which is quite disappointing."

FIFA used to mean so much

Remarkably, Kilrea have already raised enough money through a GoFundMe page to pay the fine and have pledged to give any additional donations to charity.

TW Braga are on a similar path and Wareing says the generosity of the football community has been "a humbling experience'.

"We're trying to do our best to survive and every little bit that is given will help our club and provide football for all."

Larne owner Kenny Bruce and former Irish League player Gerry Flynn have both donated, something Wareing describes as an "unbelievable gesture".

"When you're a young boy growing up, the word FIFA meant so much because you think of the World Cup, however I became very disillusioned by the game when this fine came in," added Wareing.

"Don't get me wrong, I love coaching kids and my hunger is there, but the professional game has become so detached from the grassroots game.  It is sickening.

"On the other side, how the football family has come together and the generosity is fantastic to see.

"We can hopefully get through the ridiculous, disgusting fines that FIFA has imposed on us and we can continue to thrive as clubs."

Listen to Tim speaking with Nicola McCarthy on Covid-19 restrictions, Hassan and the FIFA fine here - interview.

UTV Live News, June 2020

Ruth Gorman reports on the ridiculous FIFA fine against local club TW Braga.

Listen to the interview.

Belfast Telegraph, June 2020

IFA CANNOT ALLOW FIFA FINES TO SEND CLUBS TO THE WALL: KIRK

Irish League great Paul Kirk has called on the Irish Football Association to support and assist TW Braga and Kilrea United after FIFA imposed whopping fines of 10,000 Swiss francs on each club.

Extraordinary details emerged in Sunday Life at the weekend that world football's governing body had handed severe punishments to Lisburn League youth football team TW Braga and Coleraine and District League village side Kilrea, leaving them fearing for their survival.

Both parties admit they have no idea how they will pay the fines of £8,418.49 and are stunned that if a FIFA fine is below 15,000 Swiss francs, there is no right of appeal.

The issues have arisen due to international clearance and the registration of players. 

Kilrea have been hit for fielding English teenager Pierce Hill-Worrall in the latter part of the 2018/2019 campaign, having signed him from Boys FA League outfit Bertie Peacocks in February last year.

Last season, the Coleraine and District League ruled that Hill-Worrall had not been registered properly, leading to Kilrea being deducted nine points and losing a league title.  In the summer of 2019, the IFA Appeals Board upheld the decision though noted they had "great sympathy" for Kilrea, who claimed they thought they had done everything right in terms of the registration.  Ten months later, Kilrea were rocked when news of the fine reached them.

A FIFA spokesperson said: "The FIFA Disciplinary Committee found Kilrea United responsible for the infringement of the relevant provisions of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players related to the registration of players and the protection of minors."

At the same time, FIFA's Disciplinary Committee dished out the same fine - to be paid within 30 days - to TW Braga, finding the club "responsible for the infringement of the relevant provisions of the Regulations related to the registration of players and the protection of minors".

The case related to the registration of TW Braga's ex-forward Hassan Ayari (17), now with Sheffield United.

TW Braga's Academy Director Tim Wareing and Kilrea say they have been disappointed by Irish FA guidance following their fines.

Former Lisburn Distillery boss Kirk, who as a player won league titles with Glentoran, Crusaders and Linfield, has a personal interest in the story having coached Ayari at TW Braga.

Kirk said: "The Irish FA are our governing body and they should be supporting and helping these two clubs at what is clearly a very worrying and stressful time.  They can't wash their hands of this and say it is nothing to do with us.  Tim Wareing and TW Braga and Kilrea United should not be left on their own to fight this.  The IFA should be stepping in with guidance and helping them.

"I can't believe FIFA have fined a youth team playing in the Lisburn League and Kilrea, who play in the Coleraine and District League.  Have FIFA nothing better to do than this?  The situation is made even worse in that there is no right of appeal.

"I remember Hassan at TW Braga.  He also had spells with Cliftonville and Ards so the international clearance issue surprises me.

"Hassan is a brilliant lad and outstanding footballer with a great family behind him.  He has all the qualities to make it."

Sunday Life, May 2020

SANCTION HAS PUT A HUGE STRAIN ON MY FAMILY, SAYS COACH EMBROILED IN ROW

The Academy Director of Lisburn League youth side TW Braga has spoken about how a shock FIFA fine of 10,000 Swiss francs for his club has piled pressure, stress and anxiety on to him and his family.

Tim Wareing has been coaching at youth level in Northern Ireland for over two decades.  In 2013, he founded TW Braga, a club and football academy offering coaching schemes, including a disability programme, for toddlers to teenagers.

Wareing's plan was for kids to have fun and coach them to be the best they could be.  Thoughts of being punished by FIFA were as far away as a trip to the moon.

Earlier this month, the Irish Football Association forwarded Wareing a letter from FIFA, whose Disciplinary Committee "found TW Braga FC responsible for the infringement of the relevant provisions of the Regulations related to the registration of players and the protection of minors".

TW Braga were ordered to pay a fine of £8,419.49 within 30 days and warned about their future conduct.

The case related to one of the most gifted young footballers Wareing has coached - 17 year old Hassan Ayari, who left TW Braga to join Sheffield United.  The teenager from New York is already training with the Premier League side's first team.  

Ayari first came to Northern Ireland in 2010 with his parents and so enjoyed a holiday football camp run by Wareing in Dundonald that his dad closely followed the coach's progress when they returned home to America.

Several years later, Hassan's dad asked Wareing if his son could travel over to play in the TW Braga team.  The youngster was registered with the Lisburn League and Northern Ireland Boys FA and helped the side win the title.

He went home before returning to inspire TW Braga, under the management of ex-Lisburn Distillery boss Paul Kirk, to a Lisburn League and Lisburn Shield double in the 2017/2018 campaign.  Wareing said "the registration process was the same as the first time and all seemed fine".

Ayari landed a scholarship with Sheffield United, leaving Wareing proud to have played a key role in his development.

Things turned sour earlier this season, however, when Wareing heard FIFA were investigating the transfer.

He wrote to FIFA, explaining that TW Braga were a junior club, detailing how the teenager had come to play for the team.

The father of four says: "I thought at worst we might get a slap on the wrist but to be fined 10,000 Swiss francs was devastating.

"My last group session with TW Braga was on March 18.  We haven't been able to operate as a business due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"I am self-employed and I am struggling to pay bills and to put food in the house.

"This fine from FIFA has brought unnecessary stress, pressure and anxiety to me, my family and the club and because the fine is not over 15,000 Swiss francs, we can't appeal the decision.  I don't know what we will do."

Wareing says in the past his club has received support from IFA but feels let down at this critical time "when I need it most".

Sunday Life, May 2020

FRANCS FOR NOTHING, FIFA

Two Northern Ireland amateur clubs left stunned as they are hit with whopping 10k fines by football superpower

Kilrea United chairman Davy Shiels has admitted the club will fold if they are forced to pay a whopping fine of 10,000 Swiss francs imposed on them by FIFA for fielding an unregistered player last season.

And in another stunning development, TW Braga Academy Director Tim Wareing says he is "devastated" after the Disciplinary Committee of world football's government body fined his club the same amount (£8,418.49) following an investigation into the transfer of teenage sensation Hassan Ayari to Sheffield United.

Sunday Life Sport today lifts the lid on extraordinary stand-offs involving FIFA and Lisburn League youth side TW Braga and Coleraine and District League village team Kilrea, punished for playing English teenager Pierce Hill-Worrall in the latter part of the 2018/2019 campaign.

Shiels says: "If FIFA insist on it being paid, there will be no more Kilrea United."

Belgium Newspaper, September 2018

Local Belgium newspaper features TW Braga and all other young people that made the trip to the The Peace Field Project in Belgium.  

After playing a part to twin the Cregagh Green George Best Field with Flanders Peace Field, TW Braga were proud to take 5 boys over on a wonderful trip to Belgium for the official twinning of the pitches.  They were joined by 5 boys from the Cregagh Estate and 10 girls from Ashfield Girls High School.

In total 60 young people would be present in Belgium with 18 different nationalities all represented.  This included 20 young people from Northern Ireland (protestant and catholic), 20 Italians and 20 from Belgium.  The 20 young people from Belgium included refugees from all over the world.  Some young people were from worn torn countries such as Syria and Afghanistan.  

During the 6 day trip the young people would visit many sites from World War 1 and take part in many work shops as well as playing sport.  The program focused on peace education learning about conflict resolution, sportsmanship and citizenship.  The exciting part was knowing that all the young people are learning to become peacemakers for the future.  How well all the young people integrated was so pleasing proving sport is the universal language.

Throughout the week the young people visited Passchendaele Museum, Tyne Cot Cemetery, cycled to were the Christmas Day Truce took place as well as taking part in many work shops.  This included Conflict Resolution, The Art of the Communication, Graffiti Art and International Day of Peace. One of the most moving visits was a trip to Ypres for The Last Post.

The Christmas Truces of 1914 are often celebrated as a symbolic moment of peace in an otherwise devastatingly violent war.  We may like to believe that for just one day, all across the front, men from both sides emerged from the trenches and met in No Man's Land to exchange gifts and play football.

Throughout the 6 days the young people took part and mixed in many sports including football, rugby, cricket and hand ball to name but a few.  We had special visitors from UEFA, FC Brugge, Netherlands cricket and special guests from London. 

As a reward as an Ambassador for Peace each participant will leave a legacy that supports The United Nations' International Day of Peace.  Everyone will receive the Global Peace Games Ambassador for Peace Certificate.

RAI Italian TV Feature - December 2017

Italian Television Channel RAI features TW Braga on how football brings communities together in Northern Ireland. 

Listen to the interview.

BBC Radio Ulster Talk Back Interview - October 2017

Should amateur football referees be allowed to wear body cameras?

Listen to the interview.

UTV Live News, August 2017

The football pitch where George Best first kicked a ball is to be protected forever, Belfast City Council said.

Cregagh Green is the place at the heart of an east Belfast housing estate, where Best first honed his talent as a schoolboy in the 1950's.

Those who look after the Green have been awarded £5,000 by the London Marathon Charitable Trust (LMCT) as part of a scheme to promote physical activity and community participation.

It is the first project in the UK to receive the award, through the Active Spaces Forever programme, to "protect and activate outdoor recreation spaces".

The open space will now be protected "in perpetuity" through a legal deed of dedication between Belfast City Council and Fields in Trust.

The LMCT hope the connection to Best, who went on to become one of the greatest footballers the sport has ever seen, will encourage more people to exercise. 

Councillor Adam Newton of Belfast City Council said, "It means that this valuable green space which has a unique association with one of our most famous sons, George Best, will be safeguarded, and that we can encourage more local people to follow in his footsteps and get active in Cregagh Green."

The Belfast prodigy inspired his Manchester United side to win league titles and the European Cup while still a young player.

But his career at United was cut short following a battle with alcohol, the pressures of stardom and global fame.

Since 1981, The London Marathon Charitable Trust has funded a huge range of projects which have inspired millions of people to get active.

It said Cregagh Green had become the first in the long list of inspiring projects which will be permanently protected through funding from The Trust enabling local people to enjoy the benefits of physical activity into the future.

Listen to the interview.

Uutisvuoksi - July 2017

Tim Wareing is interviewed while delivering an elite coaching clinic in Imatra, Finland by the media.  Tim was flown over to deliver a clinic to elite players in Finland.  The organisation have booked Tim to travel back again.  Tim also selected some talents to visit Northern Ireland and guest train and play with TW Braga.

Hobbs News-Sun - June 2017

Tim Wareing, Donald Malomo-Paris-Paris and ex Manchester United player, Clayton Blackmore, are featured while delivering an elite coaching clinic in Hobbs (NM), USA by the media.  This is the fourth year in a row that EST have brought Tim over to deliver a clinic to their elite players.

Elite European Soccer Camp ends week 

Invites 12 area athletes to train in Ireland 

When the 4th Annual Elite European Soccer Camp came to a close on Friday at the Lea County Event Center, a lot about the session left its director, Javier Perez, feeling proud and excited.

Former Manchester United player, Clayton Blackmore, came to help coach, which left lot of the 60 or so campers mesmerised by his presence throughout the five-day camp.  UEFA 'A' licensed coach Tim Wareing, who runs an Ireland-based academy linked to SC Braga called TW Braga, and newcomer coach Donald Malomo-Paris-Paris were also 'magnificent' with their instruction.

Oh, and after evaluating all of its participants, the camp extended its highest-ever amount of invitations (12) to deserving campers for them to join Wareing in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and train at his academy next spring.

Perez believes that giving local players such an opportunity to improve is telling in what it does for for the Lea County soccer community.

'I think (this) says a lot about not only the growth of the program and the success of the program, but I think it says a lot about what we do in our community.'  Perez said, 'We're trying to give players hope.  For some players in and around the country and other parts of the world, soccer is hope.  It's a means of out of poverty, out of a bad life and into a good life. ...When you look in terms of the 12 (campers invited), I feel like that's what we're looking at.'

'(The amount of invitations) shows the level of talent that's hidden in Hobbs,' he added.  'We're looking at players who, (others) may see a kid, and we see the next superstar.'

Originally, the camp had eight kids selected to receive invites to attend the academy come spring 2018 and five reserves in case one of the eight couldn't afford to go.  Those eight kids are Donovan Silva, Payton Hernandez, Eljan Woods, Caleb Aranda, Emma Haston, Yeethir Cherid, Dillen Crabtree and Alina Muro.

But, after an idea to invite the other five as well was brought to him, Perez agreed to include Josue Davila Jr., Edward Banuelos, Lucas Contreras, Matthew Contreras and Christian Contreras because they were also well-deserving.

That decision made at least one of them very happy.

'(I'm) really excited because i have never been to another country,' Banuelos said.  'I'm looking forward (to meeting people) and to play more (competitive soccer).'

While Banuelos felt excited for what's to come if he decides to go, Silva was just happy with what his selection meant.

'(It felt) good (because it meant) that I did good in the camp,' he said.

Outside of providing some kids the chance to travel oversees for soccer, the camp proved overall beneficial for all participants.  Wareing, Malomo-Paris and Blackmore taught campers unique perspectives in how to train, how to improve at their position and certain ideological facets to the game.  That training includes all sorts of drills to improve their dribbling, passing and shooting, and the camp also provided a lot of one-on-one instruction to various kids.

Such instruction, paired with having a man of Blackmore's caliber around for the first time, left many excited to have participated even if they didn't get an Ireland invitation from this session. 

'(This camp) is amazing,' said 15 year-old David Cano, an aspiring goalie who's been to the camp four times now.  'It's been good.  I've had fun, everyone has fun. ... For me, I'm a goalkeeper.  This (camp) really built my feel for the position.'

'It was exciting,' added 10 year-old Cameron Montes.  '(The camp went over) a lot about footwork and agility.'

With the kids feeling like they learned a lot and had a ton of fun meeting and being taught by Blackmore, it's no wonder Perez feels pleased about this week's camp.  After all, it's grown a lot since its peaks and valleys from the first two years he ran it.  And with the camp finally in a professional venue, top notch coaches and former players now coming to teach and more invites to train in Ireland than ever before, there's no reason the camp won't grow even more.

'I couldn't be more pleased.' Perez said.

Hobbs News-Sun - June 2017

Tim Wareing, Donald Malomo-Paris-Paris and ex Manchester United player, Clayton Blackmore, are featured while delivering an elite coaching clinic in Hobbs (NM), USA by the media.  This is the fourth year in a row that EST have brought Tim over to deliver a clinic to their elite players.

Top-Notch Coach

Former Man-U player makes impact at youth soccer camp

In its three years prior to this summer's session, the Elite European Soccer Camp in Hobbs has provided a lot for its participants.  

UEFA 'A' Licence coach Tim Wareing, who runs a youth academy (TW Braga) in Ireland that is linked to SC Braga, has helped camp director Javier Perez train and evaluate participants.  A select few campers got the opportunity to travel to Ireland to continue training with Wareing at his academy after the camp, and some of those kids even got the chance to play for club teams outside Hobbs once they came back to the states.

Perez calls that a pretty remarkable package.  But even with all of those benefits from years past, the camp has never been able to provide a better opportunity than what it's offering now; a chance to be trained and evaluated by a former Manchester United player in Clayton Blackmore.

And just three days into this year's five-day camp after it started Monday at the Lea County Event Center, some of the kids are amazed with the new coach.

'It's eye-opening to see someone that was a legend come here and train me,' said Emma Haston, a 15 year-old fresh off of receiving one-on-one training from the former pro.  '(It's) a magical experience. ...He's such a nice guy, and so humble.  It's easy to get to know him.'

Blackmore played for Manchester United for 12 years (1982-1994), and started training with the organisation's youth team at the age of 14.  Since he made his professional debut in 1982, he's played under an all-time great manager in Alex Ferguson, helped the club win the FA Cup in 1990, made 39 appearances for the Wales national team and also played another 16 years of professional and semi-professional soccer after parting with United.

As a coach, Blackmore has managed Welsh teams Bangor City and Porthmadog.  He's also helped coach Manchester United youths after leaving the club as a player, and has helped out at plenty of youth camps prior to this one in Hobbs.

So, even though a vast majority of the campers don't know who he was as a player, a lot of them think it's 'awesome' to have Blackmore around because of his experiences.  And after seeing the work he has done with the campers, Perez says the kids respond very well to Blackmore.

'They've responded in a serious manner,' he said.  '(They're) attentive, eager.  They're a sponge, they're drawing out the knowledge.  They're wanting to know what it's like to be 15 (years-old) and already be at Manchester United; be 17 and be making (a) professional debut.'

Most of what Blackmore has done so far at the camp is work one-on-one with a few players over extended periods of time, like Haston and 8 year-old Donovan Silva.  Impressed with what skill they already have, he's enjoyed working with them to improve their game enough to potentially join Wareing and his staff in Ireland come spring of 2018.

Part of that improvement is helping them and others recognise what positions they could thrive in.  Known as a utility player during his professional career, Blackmore played just about every position on the field.  So, with the knowledge of what each position requires skill-wise, he believes he can help the kids learn the best position for them and teach them position-specific skills, even if it's not the one they think they are.

Haston, for instance, is a midfielder that Blackmore believes could be a centre forward.  

'I ask every (kid) what position they want to play, where they want to be, ' Blackmore said.  'Emma is an attacking midfielder, she thinks. ...I've watched her and I think, 'well you've probably never played up front, but I think you could be a centre forward.'  She's got two feet and she can turn, she's got lovely feet.  She controls the ball well with both feet, it's really good to be up front.  I've played up front, so I understand those kind of things.'

'I've got a lot of experience playing in every position,' he added.

With how much Blackmore can teach the kids just based off of those experiences, Perez is more than happy to have Blackmore on this week's coaching staff.

'I've been very pleased,' he said.  '(His instruction is) very smooth, very simple, very easy.  Players aren't in a pressured environment, they're in a very learning, safe environment.'

Luckily for the campers, they still have another two days with Blackmore and the other UEFA 'A' licensed coaches to not only absorb their teachings, but also impress them enough to get a chance to train in Ireland.

Hobbs News-Sun - June 2017

Tim Wareing, Donald Malomo-Paris-Paris and ex Manchester United player, Clayton Blackmore, are featured while delivering an elite coaching clinic in Hobbs (NM), USA by the media.  This is the fourth year in a row that EST have brought Tim over to deliver a clinic to their elite players.

Elite Instruction

BBC Newsline Interview - February 2017

Tim Wareing, Director of TWSports.Org, appears on BBC Newsline talking about the recent studies into the dangers of heading a football.

Listen to the interview.

Radio Ulster Interview - February 2017

Tim Wareing, Director of TWSports.Org, appears on BBC Radio Ulster talking about the recent studies into the dangers of heading a football.

Listen to the interview here.

Etela-Saimaa - December 2016

Tim Wareing is interviewed while delivering an elite coaching clinic in Imatra, Finland by the media.  Tim was flown over to deliver a clinic to elite players in Finland.  The organisation have booked Tim to travel back again in July 2017.

Hobbs News-Sun - July 2016

Tim Wareing is interviewed while delivering an elite coaching clinic in Hobbs (NM), USA by the media.  This is the third year in a row that EST have brought Tim over to deliver a clinic to their elite players.

Top-notch Knowledge

Elite Camp Provides Opportunity For Youth

Tim Wareing's 20-year coaching career hasn't kept him close to his home of Northern Ireland.  His journey has featured a number of stops across the world to not only coach, but to also positively impact youth who want to play soccer professionally.

Wareing's influence was clearly evident Friday as he and Artur Kopyt helped area youth work to become better players during the Elite Soccer Training camp at the Lea County Event Center.

'It's very exciting because as we travel around the world, it's great to see different cultures, different experiences and meet people,' Wareing said.  'We always want to create better people, better players.  And it's nice that we can come here and bring some of the top talent from New Mexico over to Northern Ireland.'

Wareing, Academy Director of TW Braga, first made the trek to Hobbs three years ago when Academy Director of Elite Soccer Training Javier Perez contacted him about helping host the camp.  The rest is history.  This is the third straight year of Wareing spending a week instructing the brightest young soccer players in Lea County.

'It's wonderful (to get) these opportunities now,' Wareing said.  'I've been able to travel and share knowledge with the kids in Hobbs.'

The education has already produced positive results, especially in Kopyt's opinion.  The UEFA A Licensed coach was making his first trip to Hobbs and was impressed with what he saw.

'It's a different location, it's obviously much hotter than where I came from (in Belfast),' Kopyt said.  'But I must say that the kids here are very disciplined and they listen a lot.  They take stuff on board pretty quick.  It seems like from Monday to Friday, you can see slight improvement on most of them.'

With the economy in Hobbs struggling, there wasn't as large a turnout as usual.  That didn't mean the camp wasn't a successful endeavour for those in attendance.

'Maybe we haven't had as many at camp as previous years, but certainly what hasn't dropped has been the quality,' Wareing said.  'One big thing that we get here is the discipline and the respect of the kids.  They're so respectful.  They're lovely kids to work with and it's great that we can develop them and forge links and friendships with the children at the camp and their families as well.'

In addition to the positive relationships that were made, the smaller numbers of campers also provided an opportunity for more one-on-one time.  Nevertheless, there was still a want for more children to come out and learn.

'From that point of view, it's better because there is two of us and we can spend more time individually with the kids,' Kopyt said.  'So that's a positive side of it, but obviously you would love to see more kids at the camp to get that opportunity of being coached by qualified coaches.'

Sunday Life - February 2016

It's A Funny Old Frame: Disabled Kids Play Footie For First Time Thanks To Supports On Wheels

Charlene Dickey admits she had a tear in her eye last week when she watched her son Oliver playing football for the first time.

The plucky seven-year-old was born with a form of cerebral palsy and was only able to walk after surgery in the United States 18 months ago.

And now he has just realised another dream — by taking part in a special kickabout under the gaze of his proud mum.

Frame Football allows children with mobility problems to play the game using supports on wheels.

And Charlene described seeing her son in action with a ball as a “miracle”.

“Never in my life did I ever imagine seeing him run around with his wee friends,” said the mum-of-two from Coleraine.

“You’re sitting there watching him and then you realise you’re crying. It’s incredible.”

Charlene, 30, continued: “I heard about Frame Football on the internet so we thought we would give it a go and it’s amazing.

“When Oliver was in his wheelchair he never had dirty shoes and now he is coming in and scuffing the floor, it’s definitely not something I ever thought I would be complaining about.

“To see him standing up and then running is amazing and then the fact that he is kicking the ball too, the fact he has the balance and co-ordination to do it.”

The public raised more than £60,000 to allow Oliver to travel to the United States for pioneering surgery last year.

His courage won him an Overcoming Adversity award at the Specsavers Spirit of Northern Ireland awards.

“The people of Northern Ireland really helped Oliver to walk and now he is playing football,” said Charlene.

“Oliver is so excited about being able to play football, he has my head turned now and we’ve been out buying him football kits.

“It’s just so nice seeing him being able to do something that other children of his age enjoy.”

Jo Stephenson, 36, from Stoneyford, has been bringing her nine-year-old son, Charley, to the club and like Charlene, she was overwhelmed by the sight of her son on a football pitch, kicking a ball and enjoying some exercise.

He was born with arthrogryposis, which means some of his joints don’t move as much as normal and are even stuck in one position.

Jo said: “We had all these questions from day dot, we wanted answers but no doctor was willing to tell us whether they thought he was going to walk.

“That’s what makes it even more special now he is playing football.

“We didn’t tell him until a few days before because I thought he wouldn’t go, he is quite conscious about everything and football has always been something he couldn’t do, so he has always said he hated it.

“I never thought I would get to experience seeing him play football so as a parent I am so proud that he has done it. I have always tried to bring him up that no matter how bad the situation is, you try to get the good out of it.”

Jo added: “Life is very tough on Charley, his situation isn’t ideal but we will get through it and the football is just something that helps him to feel like every other little boy his age.”

Frame Football, which runs at Loughside Recreation Centre on the Shore Road in north Belfast every Saturday between 1pm and 2pm, has been brought to Northern Ireland by Tim Wareing.

He said: “It’s been up and running over in England for a while and we thought it would be great if we could bring it to Northern Ireland.

“It’s been a while getting ready to start it up over here getting the training sorted and we couldn’t have done it without Colin Murray either, who very kindly ran around Belfast in a green mankini on Boxing Day to help raise the funds we needed to run the club.

“The club is open to boys and girls of all ages and we really want to get as many involved as possible and hopefully it will continue to grow and we can set up more teams.” 

- To find out more about Frame Football, ring Tim Wareing on 07740 120 788.

Belfast Telegraph Feature - August 2015

This is the story of Lisburn League youth side TW Braga. The TW stands for Tim Wareing, founder of the club and a football academy that offers coaching schemes for children, from toddlers to teenagers.

The Braga comes from the Portuguese team of the same name, with whom Belfast man Tim has formed a close bond after becoming friends with their assistant Academy director Hugo Vicente.

Meeting on a coaching course in Holland, the pair realised they shared the same ideas about how kids should be coached and why enjoyment and education is key.

Inspired by the conversations, 36-year-old Wareing decided to launch a new Belfast-based team.

TW Braga's tale began just two years ago in the Lisburn League at U12 level in the 2013-14 season. Finding their feet, in more ways than one,  the boys finished fifth in their first campaign and reached the semi-final of the Foyle Cup tournament.

A promising start but things were to get a whole lot better in the season just past when the TW Braga kids (now U13) won the Lisburn League title.

Coming top of the class in just their second campaign was impressive enough, but doing it by playing an entertaining and open brand of football made it that bit more special for coach Wareing and the kids themselves.
advertisement

"It took a little time to get my messages across to the boys because the kids came from different backgrounds and different clubs with different  ideas," admitted Tim.

"We wanted them to get on the ball and be creative rather than just get rid of it and as time went by, games that we were losing in the first year we would win. The team gained confidence from that and went from strength to strength. It was great to see them want to get on the ball and play good football. That was important to me."

Winning the title was the icing on the cake, but it's the other ingredients thrown in that make TW Braga's success such a tasty and compelling mix with Wareing keen to give the kids an insight into the professional game if they are good enough or have ambitions in the future of going that far.

He explained: "The kids train on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday and also have the option to attend additional sessions and receive one-on-one coaching, helping them to develop a lot quicker and improve them technically and tactically. We also have classroom sessions which include match analysis on video.

"We like to strike a happy balance so we are not taking too much out of their lives and asking too much of parents, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out if you have more contact time with the kids, with good coaching they are going to become better players."

Wareing also wants the children to become more rounded individuals and to that end his backroom team includes a conditioning coach, education officer and pastoral carer and over the past 18 months the kids have been taught basic first aid, had a work shop on nutrition and even a talk on money matters from Ulster Bank.

In the future he intends to hold classes on internet safety plus awareness on alcohol and drugs. "For us, we have a slogan about creating better players and better people," said Tim, who is married with four children.

"Realistically there will only be a small percentage of kids that actually make it through to the professional game but if we can do things that will help them with their schooling and in work later in their lives, that is rewarding for everyone.

"I am a stickler for manners at the club. I want to see the kids with TW Braga behave in the right way.

"The environment is professional yet relaxed so the players can express themselves. On a Saturday we want kids to have the freedom of play and we encourage them to write down their thoughts and how they feel they could improve."

Irish League clubs have already come hunting for the Braga players, which is a compliment to what has been achieved at the club to date.

Wareing started his TW Sports Academy 10 years ago.

"In my eyes there was restricted youth development in this country and I felt passionately about doing something about it," he recalled.

Encouraged and financed by his dad to complete his coaching badges, Tim was just  24 by the time he had worked his way up to A License level.

For six years he coached the Under-18s and Academy players at Lisburn Distillery, when his 'mentor' Paul Kirk was manager of the Ballyskeagh.

While thrilled to be working with the kids, Wareing was frustrated by the lack of contact time with the players, believing while he was making progress he could make an even bigger impact with more training sessions.

And so he decided to fully focus on taking his own Academy to a different level.

The acorn that began with just himself coaching youngsters in the Cregagh  area in Belfast is fast becoming a big oak tree. Now, aided by sponsors Subway, he operates province-wide, employs 30 other qualified coaches  and his Academy coaches up to 600 children per week ranging from the age of two to 15.

The first to bring a 'Toddler Soccer programme' to Northern Ireland, he wrote a book about it which has sold  in 30 countries and he is never afraid to post videos of training sessions on YouTube for the world to see.

The TW Academy continues to grow.

And the next step for TW Braga? His reply: "We are losing some players to  other clubs which is a shame but it shows we're doing things right. It  also represents a challenge to recruit new players and coach them so that they can fulfil their potential."


U105 Interview - November 2014

Tim Wareing appeared on the Maurice Jay Show on U105.  The interview shared details about the TW Sports program as well as Tim's new exciting project with TW Braga.

Maurice Jay discovered that Northern Ireland kids can get started in football from the age of 2 while Tim also provides competitive teams linked with Portuguese professional side, SC Braga.

TW Braga is completely different from any boys club.  Not only does it increase the contact time and practice time for players but it also provides a qualified team of specialists.  This is from the coaching team to a keeper coach, conditioning coach, education officer and pastoral care.

To hear the full interview simply click here!

For more details or to contact Tim simply call; 07740120788 or email.


Belfast Telegraph - July 2014

Graham Luney reports on American ‘wonderkid’ Hassan signing for TW Braga.

Wondered Hassan Sets Up His Stall In Belfast

A Belfast based junior football team have just added a new wonder kid to their ranks.

In a stunning piece of transfer business, TW Braga, who are affiliated with Portuguese side SC Braga, have snapped up gifted youngster Hassan Ayari from New York.

Jubilant club secretary Neil Kerr said, 'In recent years the player has been scouted by top clubs across Europe including clubs in England, Spain and Portugal, but his family thought he was too young and not ready to move.

'They now feel it is the right time to let their son move and let him live and play his football in Europe and they have chosen Northern Ireland.

'You can view clips of him on You Tube and he's a special talent.'

TW Braga, backed by Subway, will be in action at the Foyle Cup this week.

Hassan won't be arriving in Northern Ireland until August but the team established by coach Tim Wareing is bolstering its numbers and establishing sides of different age groups.

A Belfast based 2002 age group team consists of players from North Belfast, Carrick, Newtownards, Millisle and as far away as Newcastle.

The players can train up to five nights per week and also have a conditioning coach that works with them every Sunday.

'We also provide a school teacher, pastoral care and match analysis for them,' added Kerr.

'They contested their first season together in the Lisburn League and finished two points off second place and also reached the quarter-finals of the NIBFA Cup.

'After a great first season we are growing and preparing to enter under-12, under-13 and small sided games teams from the 2004-2007 age groups into leagues next season.' 

Better Football Coaching Interview on 1-on-1 Coaching with Tim Wareing - August 2013

In this podcast we are talking to UEFA A Licence Coach and Author Tim Wareing - who has just released his second book '1-on-1 Coaching' - about technique development, the importance of age-appropriate coaching and what he learnt from study visits to Barcelona, Ajax, PSV Eindhoven and SC Braga.

Topics covered in this interview include: Toddler Soccer, Age-Appropriate Coaching, 10,000 Hours Theory, Technical Skills Development, 1-on-1 Coaching, European Study Visits (to Barcelona, Ajax, PSV Eindhoven and SC Braga) and Grassroots Development.

Coach Tim's latest book '1-on-1 Coaching' is available now in paperback and e-Book formats and is well-worth a read if you are keen to develop better technical football players.

Listen to the interview here.

Belfast Telegraph - May 2013 (page 1)

This week, in a five day series, we consider the future of the Northern Ireland international team and assess how our country's chances of success can be enhanced.  

On day two, Steven Beacom speaks to a youth coach full of ideas and innovations.

It's Time To Get Our Kids On The Ball

Coaching. With every passing year, it seems to have become more important in football.

Maybe that's because there are so many coaches around and they want all of us to think that.

Northern Ireland legend Harry Gregg will tell you that a lot of today's coaches make a simple game complicated.

And he'll be quick to add that many of those who pay the Irish FA for the opportunity to earn their badges, literally handing them a license to coach anywhere and anyone in the world, have never played the sport to any sort of level!

For years I've heard many people say that the coaches at the IFA have not got what it takes to (a) coach the future coaches and (b) more worryingly coach the future playing talent at

When you look at the dearth of genuine quality coming through in the last decade those "people" might have a point.

In time perhaps the shrewd introduction by Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill of Stephen Robinson and Stephen Craigan as under-21 and under-19 bosses respectively may change that.

Yesterday in this newspaper O'Neill stated better coaching and a more professional approach was a necessity for Northern Ireland football to flourish.

With so much negative publicity towards the IFA and their coaching methods in recent years, it's hardly surprising that so many independent soccer schools for kids have sprouted up all over the province.

Cynics will say, those who run them are businessmen, more than football men, out to make a quick buck by charging parents of sports mad children for their time.

Some even call it 'glorified babysitting'.

Say that to one of those coaches, Tim Wareing, who hosts soccer schools day in, day out throughout Northern Ireland, and he takes the accusation as a personal affront to what he is trying to achieve with youngsters around the country.

Wareing has a Uefa A licence and previously coached the Lisburn Distillery under 18 and reserve sides.

He runs the TW Academy and employs coaches to develop kids from aged two to 16. He is not afraid to voice his opinions on youth coaching in Northern Ireland, the IFA and what needs to be done to improve things for the national team in years to come.

"We have 60 schools in Northern Ireland and have one in every county," reveals Tim.

"In a typical week we could coach between 500 and 600 children from the age of two taking their first steps with a football right up to young elite players who can be selected for Northern Ireland's Victory Shield squad.

"We had three players in a recent squad; Luke Fisher, who is flown over by Liverpool Football Club every other weekend, Matthew Henry and Nathan Kerr.

"Our first introduction is our Toddler Soccer Programme. Boys and girls can start from two and that takes them up to four or five where they can transfer to our mini soccer centres and if they are showing promise and interest in the game we invite them to the elite training and the academy."

Wareing is all in favour of the continental approach, adopted by the IFA for kids to play small sided games with small goals, but believes other philosophies have to change.

Put simply he wants the Northern Ireland players of tomorrow to get on the ball today.

"I think we have lost a generation of dribblers which is ironic because the most famous and finest footballer we ever produced, George Best, was one of the greatest dribblers of all time," says Tim.

"That's why when I'm coaching kids from, say, six to 10 I encourage them to dribble the ball because if they don't do it then they won't start in their teenage years.

"Too often kids here try to get rid of the ball because that's the first thing coaches or parents shout at them.

"If we can focus more on the individuality of players at a young age and they progress doing that then collectively as a team we will see better results.

"It's not just coaches that have to develop to help the kids, it is parents also.

"They need to be aware of what to say to encourage their children.

"Northern Ireland don't have too many dribblers now perhaps bar Niall McGinn or Paddy McCourt and England are the same.

"The first World Cup I can really remember was in 1990 and back then England had John Barnes, Chris Waddle, Peter Beardsley and Paul Gascoigne, but they don't have many like that now.

"And that's because street football has disappeared.

"Of course there is increased traffic and we all have to be aware of 'stranger danger' but councils have played a part in that too with all those 'no ball games' signs going up and a generation has been lost to playing the freedom of street type football.

"What has replaced it is more structured football and kids don't get the chance to make their own decisions.

"Kids are told to do this, do that and I've seen it where a youngster will maybe try and take someone on and if he loses the ball the coach is shouting at him.

"So if a kid in football is brave and does something different and is shouted at when they lose the ball that negativity will hurt long term. 

"Our kids, like those abroad, should be allowed to express themselves."

Belfast Telegraph - May 2013 (page 2)

This week, in a five day series, we consider the future of the Northern Ireland international team and assess how our country's chances of success can be enhanced.  

On day two, Steven Beacom speaks to a youth coach full of ideas and innovations.

Overhaul Methods Now And Future Can Be Bright: Wareing

Tim Wareing is one of those football coaches who forensically studies the game.

He looks to the methods of his hero Sir Alex Ferguson, as well as Jose Mourinho, for inspiration.

He'll read books and write books, watch DVDs and make DVDs on the subject.

He'll travel all around Europe to see what the latest coaching techniques are in an attempt to get ahead of the game and recently forged a relationship with Portuguese outfit Braga which could see gifted kids in his Academy from here benefit from what is going on over there.  Wareing says there is much to learn from our continental cousins which could benefit the Northern Ireland team in years to come.

"The Northern Ireland team is in transition at the moment," he says.

"We don't have enough depth. The amount of players going across the water to become professionals is decreasing and the amount of players returning from clubs is increasing.

"That's why we need to concentrate on grass roots football and youth levels now to give ourselves a chance in the future.

"We need the grass roots side of football here run more professionally and to get the best qualified people working with the best kids and increase the contact time with those kids.

"Even Irish League teams don't have the most qualified coaches working with the most important age group, which for me would be between the ages of six and 12.

"In England now there are kids getting four sessions a week which is something countries in Europe have been doing for years.

"It's no fluke that the Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese and Germans are so technically gifted and are so good and it's no secret that if kids increase their contact time with the ball and contact time with proper qualified coaches then they will improve.

"If you compare the contact times between us and other countries in Europe it is enlightening.

"Ajax has one of the best studies – they bring their kids in aged 10 and work constantly with them and up to the age of 18 they will have had 8,000 to 9,000 contact training sessions with their coaches.

"Here, our best kids are lucky if they manage to get two hours per week!"

Wareing has carried out his own research, and insists things need to change.

He says: "I've compared how many touches kids get in various training sessions.

"I took one of those clickers you see air stewardesses using on flights and the results were amazing.

"In a typical training session of one of the national county IFA programmes in a two hour period this one boy, who we did the study with, touched the ball 224 times.

"We compared this to a one hour training session with his own club and he touched it 307 times. In a session in our Soccer School he touched it 699 times which I think underlines the importance and value of specific training.

"For me in this country, too many coaches have not evolved. Kids will turn up for training and nothing new has been planned.

"Too often I have seen warm-ups consist of running around the pitch with coaches shouting 'left hand down.... right hand down' and 'get up and head the ball'.

"Then the kids will go into a line drill which is a common thing where the coach will be at the top facing a long line of kids.

"The kid will pass the ball to the coach who lays it off and then the kid has a shot, so if there are 10 kids in that line for every circuit the kid completes he will get two touches and the coach will get 10!

"Surely the more touches kids can get on the ball the better. 

"We need to look across to Europe to see what they are doing because they are leading the way." 


Tim's Striving To Take Big Steps With Little Ones

Get them early and they'll enjoy it for life. That's the message from youth coach Tim Wareing in relation to bringing kids into football.

As well as his other programs for older children, Tim runs Toddler Soccer Schools for those aged between two and five.

Too young? Not according to this coach.

"Our ideas behind it are for the kids to enjoy the session and for them to get fit, healthy and active. At that age, they are like a sponge, so they take information and ideas on really well," he says.

Having watched a session of this particular age group in an east Belfast church hall recently, he is right when he says the kids have fun.

Thanks to the skills and personalities of 'coach Garth' and 'coach Daniel', as the youngsters call them, every single one of the children left after 45 minutes with a smile on their face, having enjoying the experience of a ball at their feet.

The Toddler programmes are adapted to suit the age group.

Wareing explains: "Where you would find with older children they would get motivated by showing them the skills of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, what we found with the younger children was that story telling was what they enjoyed and we would use popular cartoon characters such as Buzz Lightyear and Woody from Toy Story to do different skills instead of Messi and Ronaldo.

"Also another of the games we do is pretend the ball is a puppy dog and that their foot is the collar and their leg is the lead and for them to take the dog for a walk. That encourages them to keep the ball nice and close to them and then we show them how the puppy dog can do different tricks, like rolling over so we have three year-olds doing dragbacks!

"With the Toddler courses, you have to be an entertainer as well as coach and be able to lose your inhibitions to ensure the kids have fun and bring the class to life.

"We like our coaches to have a bubbly personality and an infectious love of the game and children. I would always say to staff if they aren't enjoying it they won't be able to motivate 10 or 15 children to enjoy it.

"We have a programme for coaches to follow but we do allow them freedom as well, because I don't want them to become robots."

Wareing says that when he initially approached the Irish FA with this plan for the kids, he was knocked back.

"We went to the IFA with the idea and the concept but they didn't take to it at all. I guess that gave us the incentive to go out and get kids interested in football at an early age and get them enjoying the game," he says.

"It does frustrate me with football in Northern Ireland that it seems to be 'our way or no way'. I wish the authorities would be more open minded and embrace new ideas. Certainly I would like to see people from the IFA to come and take a look at our centres and what we are doing 

"We make sure that our coaches are qualified, they are background checked, we have insurances for the programme and what we are trying to do is develop kids. Unfortunately though they look at us as competition rather than embracing what we are trying to do all around the country."

Anderstown News - April 2013

Super Subs scoring just for kicks - launch of Subway TWSports.Org Search for a Young Star.

'Super Subs scoring just for kicks'!

Football is hungry work and these young players took a well earned rest to tackle a Subway sandwich yesterday.

The sandwich company has launched youth football camps in search of stars of the future.

Subway in partnership with TWSports.Org is kicking off its four-day football camp at Belfast Boys' Model School in North Belfast on Tuesday.

Younger players will receive coaching at the morning session while older ones will get their chance in the afternoon.

For details visit www.TWSports.Org or call into your local shop.

Daily Mirror - March 2013

Super Subs scoring just for kicks - launch of Subway TWSports.Org Search for a Young Star.

'On me bread son'!

Belfast Telegraph - June 2012

Football coach joins Telegraph team to help boost apprenticeship drive.

On-the-job training...an open goal if you want to get ahead

There's nothing better than getting on-the-job training & real life experience.

That's the view of Tim Wareing of TW Sports, whose business has become the latest to back the Belfast Telegraph's campaign to create 100 apprenticeships in 100 days.

The ethos of learning & training on the job is one which applies to the sports field as well as more every day workplaces.

Indeed Mr Wareing (33) started his career training to be a travel agent, which he combined with NVQ II & III classes at then Castlereagh College. 

But his business, which has become his life's work, is training football coaches & providing soccer programmes for young kids, including toddlers.

He is also the author of Toddler Soccer, The Essential Guide To A Toddlers First Steps In Soccer.

Mr Wareing, who has been recognised by Invest NI for his entrepreneurial achievements said he had been impressed by the commitment to sport & learning shown by the young people who have been trained by him.

That led him to be a firm believer in apprenticeships.

"I'd definitely back the Belfast Telegraph's campaign to create 100 apprenticeships in 100 days, because I'm a big advocate of learning on the job.  To take someone & give them experience on the job as well as getting them the teaching is wonderful.

"When you combine the passion people have for football with learning, it's a great combination."

Mr Wareing coached at Lisburn Distillery between the ages of 24 & 30 & also became the club's academy director.  He achieved his UEFA European A coaching licence at 24, but his career began differently.

"My background when I left school was in travel, but when I was made redundant at the age of 26 I set up TW Sports."

Yet working at Globetrotter Travel hasn't been wasted in his present business environment.

"It was this position in an independent agency that offered me the experience of how to operate a business - dealing with the public, making reservations, customer care, marketing & all the other jobs that operating a small to medium-sized business."

Now he is happy to ensure other people can get equally valuable training working alongside with him.

Sunday Life - April 2011

Sunday Life visited TWSports.Org Director, Tim Wareing, and 1-on-1 student, Luke Fisher.
 
They interviewed Tim and Luke about an opportunity to travel to Portugal to train with Braga.

Lucky Luke Kops Onto Braga

A super talented Northern Ireland youngster has something to 'Braga' about - training at one of Europe's top soccer club academies. 

Belfast boy wonder Luke Fisher is as modest as he is talented and wouldn't boast about catching the eye of coaches at top Portuguese team Braga.

But Sunday Life can reveal that Luke has been invited to train this Easter at the youth academy of the Portuguese giant killers who put Liverpool out of the Europa Cup.  The 12-year-old Castlereagh boy will jet off to the land of soccer legends Ronaldo, Figo and Eusebio with delighted dad Martin and top youth soccer coach Tim Wareing.

He will spend four days at Braga's academy for under-13s learning soccer skills the continental way.

Tim, who runs the TW Sports Academy in Northern Ireland for boys and girls, said that the Portuguese trip should be 'a fantastic experience'.

'Talking him into a professional environment is, first and foremost, the most important thing,' he said.

'We will be bringing him into a European environment which is very different to what the typical UK soccer model is.  It will be a fantastic experience for him at the end of the day.'

Tim and his team of 20 coaches operate a wide variety of fun but educational programmes for all ability boys and girls - as well as elite academy training for youngsters like Luke.

All ability programmes include the successful toddler soccer scheme for two year olds and upwards and mini soccer sessions for pre-teens - given the seal of approval by TV star Zoe Salmon!

Tim added; 'I started to work with Luke on a one-on-one basis nearly two years ago.

'And now we work up to four times a week on one-on-one technical training.  Every session that he comes into, Luke gives 100 percent.  He totally deserves an opportunity like this.'

Community Telegraph - September 2010

Community Telegraph review TWSports.Org tour to Holland.  The Academy played against a PSV Eindhoven feeder team along with playing Helmond Sport in a 5,000 all seater stadium.

The party of 25 also had tours of the Amsterdam ArenA where Ajax play as well as visiting the Philips Stadium for a tour and a PSV Eindhoven game.  The tour was topped off with a visit to the PSV Eindhoven training ground where the boys had a penalty shoot out against the PSV keeper organised by the goalkeeper coach, Hans Segers!

Dutch Delight For Kids

Tim Wareing, Director of TWSports.Org, organised a tour for 25 boys and parents to travel to Holland.

The tour arrangements were organised by Tim's close friend and top Dutch Coach, Bert-Jan (BJ) Heijmans.

The tour brought together a selection of boys from over six different boys and Irish League clubs.

The tour offered an opportunity to live the life of a professional during the four day training camp.

Saturday morning the team met for breakfast before transferring to VV Eindhoven, this is a feeder team of PSV Eindhoven.

After the game they enjoyed lunch on the executive but that the Premiership teams use for games.  They transferred to PSV Eindhoven's ground, The Philips Stadium.  The team got pitch side, taken through the changing rooms, media room and executive seating area.  They walked the corridors that many famous players and managers of the past have done.  This includes the great Sir Bobby Robson and players such as Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Sunday Life - June 2010

Sunday Life visited Toddler Soccer in the lead up to the World Cup to review our exciting and innovative programme for young stars taking their first steps in football.
 
They also interviewed Tim Wareing's 1-on-1 students, Luke Fisher and Tom Campbell, who are making great progress in their football development.

Best Dribblers In The Game

It's all about getting an early touch at a new footy school for tricky toddlers

Meet the under-fives who are smiles ahead when it comes to the beautiful game. 

These cute kids are playing football at classes where the only dribbling is done with a ball!

While World Cup fever grips the country, hundreds of football mad toddlers will be learning fancy footwork at an award-winning training school.

The classes are the brainchild of Belfast man Tim Wareing who set up TW Sports in 2005.

He teaches toddler soccer and mini soccer for over fives at 50 centres in Down, Antrim and Armagh - and there are plans to roll out the programme across Northern Ireland.

The Belfast man siad, 'The toddler programme has created a lot interest because it is so unique.

'When we brought out our website we found people all over the world were logging on - from the US, Canada, Australia, Asia and all through Europe.'

The concept has also impressed coaches from top clubs Barcelona, Ajax and PSV Eindhoven.

'In 2008 I was at a conference with other coaches at PSV Eindhoven and they stopped the presentation they were giving to speak to me about the toddler soccer concept,' said Tim.

'Their entry age is six so they were quite intrigued that we brought our kids in at two-and-a-half.  I told them that we were introducing the kids to drag backs and step ours at the age of two and three, but in a way that was fun for them.

'They said if you have kids of that age doing those skills what are they going to be like when they are six?'

Coaches from Portuguese club SL Benfica are so impressed that they have visited Northern Ireland twice in the last year to run coaching clinics and kids' camps with Tim.

Tim's fiancee Leanne Vinton said that they decided to offer classes to under fives three years ago after their daughter Amy wanted to join in with her big brother Cameron.

She said, 'Amy was at the sidelines watching and saying 'why can't I do these things?'  She was lifting and kicking the balls from the age of one.  Now my youngest son Max is 15 months old and he is doing the same I think the earlier they start the better.'

Other toddlers also wanted to join the fun and Toddler Soccer was born.

'At a lot of the centres we gave the younger ones a ball to kick at the side but then we thought why can't they have a session to themselves?' added Leanne.

Over 600 toddlers have attended classes since the scheme started and over 4,000 children have either gone to a class or been to a training week.

Leanne, a former nursery nurse, worked with Tim to create fun games to teach basic football skills.

Leanne said, 'I've been able to use my knowledge and combine it with Tim's knowledge of football.

'We used different games and asked parents what their kids are into and what cartoon characters they liked.'

Since then the popularity of toddler soccer has soared.

Three-year-old Joshua Boyd from Belfast has been playing football since last September.

His mum Ali said, 'Josh started showing an interest in playing football at around two years old.

'I started to look around for somewhere to take him but initially I could only find classes for five-year-olds and upwards but then I found out about Tim.  Josh really took to it.'

Now Josh plays football with Tim and coaches Nigel Blacker and Ronnie Cromie every Friday.

'They are endlessly patient and encouraging and get down to their level.  The coaches have a genuine passion for it.  They believe in what they do and you can  see that,' said Ali.

Ali added the classes have taught her son to take direction, encouraged him to be part of a team and it's taught him good sportsmanship as well.

She said, 'If anyone scores a goal they all have to clap each other and at the end they all shake hands.'

Tim has just published a book called Toddler Soccer - The Essential Guide to a Toddler's First Steps In Soccer which shows how to introduce toddlers to football in an easy and fun way.

Mini Stars Dream Of Going Pro

Belfast boys Luke Fisher and Tom Campbell also attend mini soccer classes at TWSports.Org and both dream of turning pro when they are older.

Eleven-year old Luke plays football every day and has already been scouted by Liverpool coaches.

The Chelsea fan said, 'I wasn't really into football when I was younger as I did showjumping.  Now I'm football crazy - it's football night and day.'

Since September he has been at the Liverpool Academy and dreams of playing for a Premiership Club.

'I think I'd be all right if thousands of people were watching me, 'he said.

'I just relax when I play football and concentrate on the ball.'

Tom, aged 10, has been playing football since he was two and now plays for Rosario Football Club in Belfast.

He said, 'When I play football I am so much happier.'

Community Telegraph - April 2010

Review from the SL Benfica Easter Coaching 2010 in Belfast.

TWSports.Org organised SL Benfica coaches to operate coaching clinics and player development sessions for all local children and coaches.  The clinics attracted a family from New York. 

Tim Wareing's 1-on-1 students enjoyed a private coaching session from the Benfica coaches.

Radio Ulster Interview - March 2010

Tim Wareing, Director of TWSports.Org, appears on BBC Radio Ulster promoting his first book, ‘Toddler Soccer – The Essential Guide’.

Listen to the interview here.

Newsletter - April 2009

Preview of TWSports.Org and ToddlerSoccer.Org Easter Fun Camps 2009 in the Newsletter.

Putting The Fun Back Into Children's Football

A local children's soccer coach is showing the red card to competitiveness in kid's football and is looking to inject a fun aspect into the 'beautiful game' with a series of mini soccer fun camps.

The clinics will be held this Easter and will feature a combination of expert youth coaches from Holland and Great Britain.

TWSports.Org is a private, award winning coaching organisation set up four years ago by UEFA licence coach Tim Wareing from east Belfast.

It operates Mini Soccer and Toddler Soccer Centres across the province under the guiding principles of 'Give Us Back Our Game', a grassroots football campaign group founded by the English FA coach Paul Cooper.

'Give Us Back Our Game' seeks to counteract adult over-involvement in children's football by putting the game back in the control of the child and emphasising fun and development before winning.

'Football for kids today is very different from when we played it on the street and the only adult involvement was a call to come in for tea.  It's a fact of modern life that it has become more organised and more supervised.  But the competitive drive adults bring can mean less fun for the youngsters and the referee!' said Tim.

'I'm a firm believer in what Paul Cooper and others like him are doing with 'Give Us Back Our Game'.  Combine this with the Dutch approach to youth development and you have a great way of giving children their early experiences with a ball - that is to let children have as many touches as possible by guiding them into small-sided games.

'We've been applying these principles with great success in our after school and toddler centres that run throughout the school year.  The Easter program takes it one step further by bringing Paul and Dutch youth development experts to our kids here in Northern Ireland.'

TWSports.Org are offering two one day grassroots 'coaching the coaches' courses open to all levels of coaches and the soccer camps will be using the four verses four format to give players as many touches of the ball as possible.

The camps are open to boys and girls from 5-16.  They take place at the Northern Ireland premier league ground, Mourneview Park, home of Glenavon FC from April 6-9 and at Civil Service, Dundonald, Belfast from April 14-17.  A separate toddler session will also run at both venues.

The specialist guest coaches are Bert-Jan Heijmans, of the Dutch-UK Football School; GB coach, Paul Cooper of the 'Give Us Back Our Game' campaign and Dutch FA coach, Martien Pennings, Head Scout Youth for PSV Eindhoven.  They will be supported by TWSports.Org own coaching team including Lisburn Distillery Assistant Manager, Ronnie Cromie.

TWSports.Org is also organising a Soccer Sixes Tournament open to all youth teams with age groups between 9am and 12pm at Mourneview on Monday, April 6.

Online bookings for all Easter soccer camps, coaching clinics and the Soccer Sixes Tournament can be made at; www.TWSports.Org, or by contacting Tim Wareing direct on, 07740120788 or by email, tim@twsports.org.

Radio Ulster Interview - April 2009

Tim Wareing, Director of TWSports.Org, appears on BBC Radio Ulster along with PSV Eindhoven’s Martien Pennings promoting the Dutch Soccer Coaching week in Northern Ireland.  

Listen to the interview here.

Irish News - March 2009

Preview of TWSports.Org and ToddlerSoccer.Org Easter Fun Camps 2009 in the Irish News.

A Dutch Of Class With Easter Coaching Clinics

The senior scout of PSV Eindhoven and the Dutch FA (KNVB), Martien Pennings, arrives in Belfast this Easter to deliver a specialised coaching clinic.  Further courses can be enjoyed by all children aged 2.5 to 16 at Glenavon's Mourneview Park and in Dundonald.

The courses use the latest in Dutch youth development sessions and are co-ordinated by TWSports.Org Director and UEFA European A Licence holder, Tim Wareing.

Pennings is operating a specialised coaches clinic at Orangefield OB FC on Sunday April 5.  Orangefield FC are based at Cregagh Sports Club on Gibson Park Avenue, just off the Cregagh Road.  The clinic will operate from 10am through to 4pm.  Pennings will talk about Dutch development including the set-up at PSV Eindhoven.  Coaches in attendance will see his approach on the no-secrets philosophy and the fascinating blueprint of the PSV Eindhoven Academy.

Coaches will then have the opportunity to see Martien operate a number of sessions on the pitch.  This will include a selection of warm ups and favourite sessions that the Dutch FA (KNVB) and PSV use throughout their set-ups.

Coaches will also receive hand-outs and a certificate, while having time for a Q&A session.

The Dutch theme continues at the home of Glenavon Football Club, Mourneview Park.  Children aged 5-16 can enjoy elite Dutch coaching from Monday , April 6 to Thursday, April 9, 10am-3pm every day.  Dutch coach Bert-Jan Heijmans will be in attendance along with Paul Cooper from the 'Give Us Back Our Game' campaign.

The courses have already attracted coaches from the south and Scotland.  It is highly recommended for coaches and players to book their places early.  This can be done online at, www.TWSports.Org.  Further information can be gained from Tim Wareing, direct on; 07740120788, or by email; tim@twpsorts.org. 

Daily Mirror - March 2009

Preview of TWSports.Org and ToddlerSoccer.Org Easter Fun Camps 2009 in the Daily Mirror.  The feature includes details of our Dutch and English visitors; Martien Pennings (PSV Eindhoven and the Dutch KNVB), Bert-Jan Heijmans (Dutch UK Football School) and Paul Cooper (Give Us Back Our Game).

Tim For A Dutch Of Class - Local Coach Looks To Holland To Improve Our Game

Local coaches and youngsters alike will have a truly unique opportunity to step up their game this Easter when some of football's finest Dutch masters bring their world famous brand of Total Football to our doorstep.

The senior scout of PSV Eindhoven and the Dutch FA, Martien Pennings, will be operating a specialised coaches clinic at Cregagh Sports Club, in Belfast (the home of Orangefield Old Boys), on April 5.

Participants will get a rare insight into the thoughts and methods of a man operating at a top level international football club, as he takes coaches through his own selection of warm-ups and training used by the Dutch FA.

The event has been set up by the well connected Director of TWSports.Org, Tim Wareing, who has already been over to Holland to see first hand how the Dutch manage their youth development.

And, realising that for many the concept of jetting over to the Netherlands to pick up valuable coaching tips may be seen as rather extravagant and impractical, he has decided to attract that rich source of experience closer to home.

The former Lisburn Distillery reserve team manager and Crewe United coach wanted to watch training and see how Dutch professional teams develop their players and how they approach the game.

He said, 'The week I spent in Holland was amazing - but it was depressing, in a way, because when I got back, it made me realise that we are light years behind them.

'Aside from the IFA courses, there i nothing available in Northern Ireland to help coaches develop their understanding of the game.  There is no chance to learn from specialised coaches from other countries, unless you go out there yourself - and that is an expensive business.

'You never stop learning in this game - but I think part of the problem here and in England is that we don't like sharing our ideas.  We have a mentality of wanting to keep ourself to ourselves.

'This is a chance for coaches to open their mind up to how things are operated in other countries, and the more we exchange our ideas with each other, the more we will all learn.'

The idea of bringing over an internationally renowned trainer to share their experience is a new one for Wareing, whose company is just entering its fourth year.

However, it is hoped that, should this prove to be a success, there may be warm welcomes in the future for coaches from such clubs as Manchester United and Ajax.

On the other side of the coin, Dutch soccer school coach Bert-Jan Heijmans and Paul Cooper from the Give Us Back Our Game campaign will be helping young players to develop their game.  And by young, I mean from age two and a half years old to 16!

Educating a toddler in only the 30th month of his or her like in the ways of football may seem like a step too far, but as Wareing explains, it doesn't have to be, if approached in the right way.

He said, 'The coaching manual goes out the window when you are looking at children in that age group - it's more about making it entertaining and fun for them.  You can't tell a three year old to play the ball in the space, because they would just look blankly at you, so we have devised our own techniques.

'For instance, one is to get the kids to pretend that the football is a puppy dog, their foot is the collar, and their leg is the lead.

'By getting them to take it round a coaching grid, we say that is them taking the dog for a walk in the park.  We tell them to take wee light touches, so the 'dog' doesn't come off its 'lead', and get them to 'stroke the puppy' (kicking the ball from side to side).

'They are like a sponge at that stage, and they pick up things so quickly, but a lot of the time they don't realise that they are picking up basic football skills, and social skills, too.'

Toddlers are bring invited to join in the fun with Heijmans, Cooper, and the members of the TWSports.Org coaching team at Mourneview Parkfrom 12pm to 1pm between April 6 and 9, with coaching for 5-16 year olds taking place there between 10am-3pm each day.

Places are limited on all courses and pre-registering is a must.  For those based in Belfast, a second Easter Camp for children aged 2.5-16 will run from 14th to 17th April at the grounds of Civil Service in Dundonald.

Further information can be gained by contacting Tim Wareing on 07740120788, or by emailing him at tim@twsports.org 

Tots Magazine - December 2008

Feature on ToddlerSoccer.Org in Northern Ireland's Tots Magazine.

Toddler Soccer - A Winning Idea For Little Dribblers

Dribbling is something most toddlers can do in style - but it's usually down the front of their t-shirt when they are eating a bowl of spaghetti!

But now thanks to a fantastic, innovative idea by a dedicated local football coach, your toddler can be an expert at dribbling - passing, tackling and even scoring goals!

Toddler Soccer is the brainchild of Tim Wareing.

Tim's love of football goes right back to his own childhood and has led him to a very successful career in the game.  He holds his UEFA European A Licence and has over 10 years of coaching experience.  He has held many roles throughout the local game, his latest being with Irish Premier League side, Lisburn Distillery, where he implemented a very successful academy.

It was through his time working with older children that Tim realised there was potential to bring aspects of the game to very young children.

'Parents used to bring their little toddlers along to games to watch their older brothers and sisters train and they seemed to really love it.  You could see how interested they were and how they wanted to be involved,' explained Tim.

'I also felt that toddlers in Northern Ireland have not got a great range of organised, fun, sporting activists.  That is why TWSports.Org launched Toddler Soccer.  We now offer a varied programme of coaching and games aimed at children from the age of two and a half.'

Although there is some structure to the training sessions, which are all carried out by fully qualified and experienced trainers, the emphasis is defiantly on fun.'  We didn't want to be strict or bossy with younger children - we really just wanted to create an atmosphere were they could feel free to enjoy themselves.  Mum or dad stay for the session (which lasts 45 minutes) so are always there in the background if they feel they want a little bit of help.  We encourage the children to do things without mum or dad, but always include some fun time with them too.'

Believe it or not, Tim and his team of coaches have actually succeeded in developing some of the basic, essential footballing skills in these tiny tots. 'It's all about how you communicate with them.  We really get down to their level - which means the coaches have to loose any inhibitions too!  You should be a fly on the wall at one of our training sessions for the coaches!  A room full of grown men all running about pretending to be Roary the Racing Car!'

'We really get the children to use their imaginations and use popular characters like Roary to really get them motivated,' enthused Tim.

'I have spent a couple of years developing the programme and tweaking with it to offer toddlers the best in fun development and to encourage them to be creative.  We encourage our coaches to throw out the coaching manual and become entertainers during each session!  It is fantastic we have two year olds performing drawbacks and step-overs but we dress it up to help toddlers understand, perform and more importantly have fun!  In a way we have throwing away the boring mould and had some fun ourselves!  

'By getting the children to imagine they are 'walking the dog' or being Roary racing through the cones, or even a cheeky monkey swinging through the jungle, they can teach children about how to control the ball - and learn coordination without them even realising!

'We do let them have a go at kicking the ball into the goal too - but rather than being competitive, throw in a couple of balls so everyone gets a chance - so there may be a couple of balls on the go at the one time,' added Tim.  'At the end of the session we will have a fun mini soccer match, which the kids just love. It is a great way to teach them about teamwork.  It's also great preparations for nursery school as they learn how to play and be active with other children.  Although we are developing their football skills, it is about much more that that.  It helps to develop their coordination, their balance, their social skills and of course, their confidence.' 

The sessions have proved as popular with girls as they have with boys and parents needn't worry - they don't need to be budding Beckham's or Healy's themselves!  Toddler Soccer is open to children of any ability aged two and a half to five, withs sessions all over Northern Ireland.  It is without doubt one of the most innovative and exciting toddler activities at present.

Tim, soon to be a dad for the third time himself, has not only attracted interest from people throughout Northern Ireland, he has had interest from all over the UK, Holland, USA and Canada.  'It's been pretty cool.  I received an email from a lady in Canada wanting me to produce a Toddler Soccer programme for children in her region!  Within an hour of contact she registered to my online coaching resource website.  On a recent trip to Holland I visited Ajax, PSV Eindhoven and some top amateur cubs.  One coach in particular was very interested in the whole concept and spoke with me during one of our organised club seminars.'

Tim's passion for sport is obvious and his desire to share his knowledge and skills with little stars of the future has surely added to Toddler Soccer's success.

Toddler Soccer is also a great way to get your toddler active which is something Tim is very passionate about.  'It's so easy just to sit down in front of the TV with your kids - but it can be just as easy to get them up and doing something active.'

Tim will be guest writing a special TOTS fitness column in each following edition, giving advice and fun ideas on how to keep your little one fit and active.

Toddler Soccer offers weekly sessions in centres across Northern Ireland, including Belvoir Activity Centre, Cregagh Community Centre, Eddie Irvine's Bangor, Moneyreagh Community Centre and new classes in the Bridge Centre Killyleagh to name but a few.

To find out more, see where your nearest class is or to enrol your own little dribbler log onto www.TWSports.Org, email info@twsports.org or call Tim Wareing on 07740120788.

Big Into Baby Show Guide - September 2008

Feature on ToddlerSoccer.Org in the Big Into Baby Show Guide.

Toddler Soccer exhibited at the show in Belfast's Odyssey Arena.

Teach Your Toddlers How To Dribble!

A brand new sporting experience for toddlers has been launched in Northern Ireland, guaranteed to get their imaginations up and running as well as their little legs!

Toddler Soccer is a fantastic way to get your little ones active, and teaches them new skills through fun soccer coaching and games.

Director and Head Coach of Toddler Soccer, Tim Wareing, holds a UEFA European A Licence and has over 10 years of coaching experience.  He has held many roles throughout the local game, his latest being with Irish Premier League side, Lisburn Distillery.  Here, he implemented a very successful Academy.  Now going into his 5th year of business, Tim has developed a great introduction for toddlers in football that is set in a relaxed, learning environment that will have your toddler wanting to come back for more!

'We feel that 3 and 4 year old toddlers in Northern Ireland have not got a great range of organised, fun, sporting activities.  That is why TWSports.Org launched Toddler Soccer,' explained Tim.

'We offer a varied programme of coaching and games aimed at toddlers.  We welcome all regardless of ability, gender or cultural background.  Our coaches deliver a fun 45 minute session for each child to work with their peers 1-on-1.  But don't worry mum and dad if you haven't played football or if you're not as mobile!  Our programme is aimed for you and your child to have fun in a relaxed atmosphere. 

SoccerSpecific.Com Website - August 2008

Worldwide coaching resource website, SoccerSpecific.Com, feature a full session performed by Tim Wareing as Academy Director at Lisburn Distillery.

Ulster Star - July 2008

Preview of TWSports.Org and ToddlerSoccer.Org Summer Fun Camps 2008 in the Ulster Star.

Whites Boss Backs Soccer Camps

TWSports.Org will run several Mini Soccer Summer Fun Camps across Northern Ireland for all boys and girls aged 5-13 this summer.

The camps, backed by Lisburn Distillery Manager, Paul Kirk are very popular and help develop each child's all round ability.

Paul Kirk commented, 'These course's also give talented players the opportunity to progress to our Centre of Excellence at Lisburn Distillery.  Seven players currently at the Academy were elected from a TWSports.Org Summer Camp in 2006.  A staggering 97% of players currently at the Academy have come through a TWSports.Org Mini Soccer Centre.'

The qualified coaching team will provide children with an action packed programme over the week.  The skills challenge games will include dribbling, passing, control, shooting and themed games.

The focus is on development, participation and fun.  There will also be special themed days including;  World Cup theme day, kit design day, crazy hair day and 4 v 4 Day and Parents Day.

Parents can choose between 2 packages.  The first costing £40 per child (£35 for second family member) which includes 4 hours of coaching and games for 5 days.  Or alternatively you can just pay £10 per day for your child to attend giving you greater flexibility!

'The courses are fantastic value and encourage children to get active.  Children receive quality coaching and play Mini Soccer World Cups along with all the other fun games.' Tim Wareing course organiser and Lisburn Distillery Academy Director.

TWSports.Org offer 14 Summer Fun Weeks across Northern Ireland during July and August.  Come September their weekly Mini Soccer Centres start back again at over 20 locations throughout Northern Ireland.  For more details or to enrol contact Tim on, 07740120788 or log onto the website, www.TWSports.Org.  Places are limited so will be operated on a first come, first served basis.

TWSports.Org also operate Toddler Soccer for 3 and 4 year olds.  The Toddler Soccer Road Show will be launched soon.  It will travel around the country offering a Fun Camp for your toddlers.  More information from the website.

Belfast Telegraph - June 2008

Preview of TWSports.Org and ToddlerSoccer.Org Summer Fun Camps 2008 in the Belfast Telegraph.

Soccer Fun Camps Kick Off A Treat 

It has been a feast of football with the European Championships in Switzweland and Austria.  

But with no home nations qualifying for the tournament the next best thing to get close to the action is to sign up to a TWSports.Org Summer Fun Camp.

There will be 12 Fun Camps to choose from, offering you greater choice and flexibility.  Boys and girls aged 2.5 to 13 are all welcome regardless of ability and cultural backgrounds.  

While other organisations only cater for older children TWSports.Org remain the first and only company to offer Toddler Soccer in Northern Ireland.  Everyone will receive a quality structured coaching programme and develop regardless of whether it's their first time playing the sport or if they have played it for years.

At ToddlerSoccer.Org we teach great tricks, drive about as Rory the Racing Car and play on a Pirates Ship.  This is a programme that has been developed for your toddler to help introduce them to sport and football.  They learn great skills on the ball but prepared in a fun way that will help toddlers have fun and be creative.

The theme days add to the fun, enjoyment and participation.  TWSports.Org encourage their players to be artistic and creative on and off the pitch.  From Design a Kit Day and Design your Sports Cards Day through to Crazy Hair Day and Parents Day, this will be one of the most family inclusive products around.

TWSports.Org will be running a Summer Footy tournament at the Belvoir BB pitches with the Soccer Sixes Summer Cup.  This will take place on Saturday August 2.

TWSports.Org operates a weekly programme throughout the year for all boys and girls aged 2.5 to 13 through Toddler Soccer and TWSports.Org.  It is recommended to book early as come September many centres book up to full capacity and waiting lists come into operation.

This ensures that TWSports.Org provide all year round fun and development for all children.  More than 75 children have developed through the programmes before being given the opportunity to represent Lisburn Distillery.

TWSports.Org also offer coaching to schools, organise football birthday parties and provide one on one coaching sessions.

For further information contact 07740120788 or visit, www.TWSports.Org. 

World Class Coaching Magazine - April 2008

Training session performed by Tim Wareing as Academy Director at Lisburn Distillery.

3 page review featured in the worldwide coaching magazine, World Class Coaching.

In Touch Magazine - April 2008

Full double page review featured in the Rugby magazine, In Touch.

Upon meeting Coach Tim you become instantly captivated as he begins to explain how his very special organisation was born.  Within minutes it's clear that Tim Wareing has created a phenomenon out of the most important things in his life his family and his football!

With an impressive history in the world of football, Tim's commitment to youth development is no recent adventure, responsible for the creation of the very successful Youth Academy at Lisburn Distillery.  It is now two years since Tim and partner Leanne single-handedly took on the challenge of mini soccer development in Northern Ireland.

TW Sports is an organisation that embraces the youth of today, it offers a unique service that provides quality coaching to boys and girls from as early as 2.5 years old in a safe, structured and most importantly fun environment.

Regardless of gender, ability or cultural diversity the Mini Soccer programmes are delivered to develop children socially, physically and psychologically.  The main objective of Mini Soccer is fun, while introducing children to the sport and helping them to understand the rules.  The children develop a god sporting interest that lasts their whole lives.

Buddy coaching has also been introduced to the programme at mini soccer, this allows the older children to develop themselves personally as a coach and a mentor to the young participants.  The buddy coach leaned to coach and also to analyse the game from the outside.  This initiative has helped to mature their personal game and also help develop understanding of responsibilities and attitudes.

for further information on what TW Sports can do for you and your family contact Tim Wareing on 07740120788 or email info@twsports.org

Soccer Coaching International Magazine - March 2008

Paul Cooper from the Give Us Back Our Game Campaign visited Northern Ireland to review the TWSports.Org Mini Soccer Centres and ToddlerSoccer.Org Centres.  He also viewed Tim Wareing's training sessions when he held the role of Academy Director at Lisburn Distillery.

Full double page review featured in the worldwide coaching magazine, Soccer Coaching International.

Belfast Boy

Football in Northern Ireland has been on the up in recent years with the international side claiming some big scalps at Windsor Park.  Spain, Sweden and of course England have all been beaten and they have been close to qualifying for a major event, something they have not achieved since the heady days of the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.  David Healy, their prolific striker, also became the first player to score thirteen goals in a European Championship qualifying campaign.  But what was happening at grassroots and in children's football across Northern Ireland?  Paul Cooper from SoccerCoachingInternational went on a four day fact finding mission.

By: Paul Cooper

Tim Wareing

I had met a young coach from Belfast called Tim Wareing who had made an immediate impact on me both in terms of a coach and person.  When Tim invited me over to see the work he was doing at youth level, I was already on my way to the airport before the phone was set down.  Tim played for Saintfield United before moving onto Agape to play under Sam Watterson.  It was the late Watterson that got him involved in coaching and it was under his guidance that Tim set up Castlereagh Colts which was the youth development side of Agape.  During this time Wareing got his UEFA B Licence and fixed up friendly fixtures with the like of Glasgow Rangers, Leeds and Fulham.  Tim has always aimed high as he always wants the best of his charges.

Later Tim joined Lisburn Distillery as youth coach before being appointed Academy Director at the club and a couple of years ago obtained his A-Licence.  The young coach was very keen to do more football in the community and set up mini soccer centres across Northern Ireland through the coaching company he set up called TWSports.Org with the result that now hundreds of smiling boys and girls have the opportunity to play for fun.

East Belfast

This was my first visit to Northern Ireland although I already felt as if I knew it, as while growing up it was never off our screens at tea-time.  The early evening news was full of many familiar names and places, though sadly nearly all were linked to the troubles.  I was staying with Tim, his partner and their children in East Belfast, only a few hundred yards from where George Best lived and where George's father, Dickie still lives in the family home on Burren Way.  Tim drove me around the Cregagh Estate, and to see the field and streets where the great man played as a child was inspiring.  A couple of nights later Tim had organised a World Cup 4v4 on the estate with the local children.  With the floodlights on the astro pitch, lighting up the autumn sky and with George Best's mural looming out from the side of an adjacent house, you felt that the spirit of the man was still living inside these local kids from the Cregagh, playing with smiles as wide as the River Lagan that flows through the city.

For several days I followed Tim and his coaches around Northern Ireland, to Belfast, Larne, Carrickfergus and Lisburn to name just a few places.  We visited schools, playgroups and leisure centres there with young kids from 5-13 playing football.  The ingredients were simple, lots of fun, lots of touches of the ball and skills.  Everywhere we went the children were hungry to play, trying moves and feints without a care in the world. 

The environment was so positive and the children were encouraged to show what they could do and express themselves all the time.  Every six weeks they have a World Cup competition which the children love.  As well as these mini soccer centres Tim also runs Toddler Soccer sessions for the really young ones, where they learn to fall in love with the game.

For more gifted players there is the opportunity to join the Lisburn Distillery Academy.  Tim and the coaches at the club have been very careful to create a culture of skilful play and creativity at the Academy.  Children are encouraged to play the game how it should be played.  The training I saw was full of inventive play with players taking on opponents in many 1 v 1 situations and neat passages of passing play with good movement off the ball.  I don't remember ever visiting a club or district and see so many happy kids, but Tim's love for the game is incredibly infectious.

Tim's achievements in stimulating youth soccer in Northern Ireland are quite staggering and with the foundations being laid deep, the omens, (as long as he gets the support he deserves) look promising.

Give Us Back Our Game - January 2008

Email shot by Paul Cooper from the Give Us Back Our Game Campaign.

Paul visited Northern Ireland to review the TWSports.Org Mini Soccer Centres and ToddlerSoccer.Org Centres.  He also viewed Tim Wareing's training sessions when he held the role of Academy Director at Lisburn Distillery.

Give Us Back Our Game Update

'If children grew up according to early indications, we would have nothing but geniuses'

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Belfast Boy

I first met Tim Wareing at the Repton seminar and since then have kept in touch.  When he invited me over for four days to Belfast to show what he is doing for the campaign and for youth football as a whole in Northern Ireland, I jumped at the chance.

I stayed with Tim, his partner Leanne, who is now also a full time coach, and their family at their house on the same Cregagh estate where George Best was born and where his father still lives.

Tim has been a great supporter of the campaign and had organised 4v4 GUBOG sessions in all of his soccer schools across the country.

Tim and Leanne had taken me on an open top bus ride around Belfast, which took in all the trouble spots that had become so familiar from TV.

To contrast that with watching hundreds of children playing for fun from both sides of the community was truly inspiring.

The work done by this young man to promote football for all in Northern Ireland is the nest work I have come across and his passion for the game has rubbed off an all the kids who play the most breathtaking football with smiles as wide as the River Lagan.

I saw hundreds of kids play at his TW Sports centres ands also at Lisburn Distillery where he is the Academy Director. 

The highlight was a Friday night session at the Cregagh Community Centre 200 yards from where George Best lived and within the shadow of one of the murals painted of the great man.

Tim is planning further events and we will work with him to organise a major event in Northern Ireland this summer.

Fun Days

There are now sessions happening every weekend and a number of clubs have withdrawn their teams from leagues to play the GUBOG format.

4v4 where possible (but 4v5 or 5v5, the most important consideration is that every child plays for every second)

Soccer Coaching International Magazine Times - May 2007

Paul Cooper from the Give Us Back Our Game Campaign reviews TWSports.Org's organised 4 v 4 Day at Lisburn Distillery Academy.

Full page review featured in the worldwide coaching magazine, Soccer Coaching International.

Community Telegraph - February 2006

Feature on Tim Wareing's invite to Derby County.

Derby Win For Coach

An experienced football coach is hoping to put the methods he learnt at an English Championship side to good use at his current coaching clinics.

The TW Sports Mini Soccer Centres are available at a number of locations throughout the Greater Belfast and Newtownabbey areas to girls and boys aged five-13 years.

The weekly programmes are organised by Tim Wareing, who holds his UEFA European A Licence and is the youth development officer at Carnegie Premier League club Lisburn Distillery.

Children of all abilities are welcome.  They will have the opportunity to learn basic skills through fun games, finishing off with mini soccer games.

'I have developed a programme that is suitable for kids who have never played football before, but developed to meed the needs of those who have,' Tim told the Community Telegraph.

'The training sessions change every week - we never repeat the same session during the year.

'Our main aim is for children to learn and improve their techniques, while falling in love with the game.'

Tim has just returned from a trip to Derby County Football Club.  He said they currently have one of the best youth set-ups in England and that he hopes to use the experience to benefit the kids at his centres. 

'I travelled with another member of the team to see the set-up at Derby County and I was very impressed with their facilities and youth structure,' he explained.

'We were made to feel very welcome and watched training sessions from under nines through to their under 18s.

'We were also lucky enough to see their first team train and prepare for their Championship game against Leeds United.

'It does show you how far we are behind in Northern Ireland when you witness the academies in England.

'The trip was an important one as I am setting up development squads at Lisburn Distillery.  Children that show good technique and attitude at the mini soccer will be invited to the youth set-up at Distillery.

'I will also be travelling to Barcelona soon as I have been invited by representatives to share ideas and see the youth set-up at this fantastic European side.'

Tim's clinics take place at Cregagh Community Centre, Ardnavally Scout Centre in Belvoir, Avoniel Leisure Centre, Ballyoran Community Centre, Civil Service, Clonduff, Lough Moss Leisure Centre, Ormeau Park and the Valley Leisure Centre.

For more information contact Tim on 07740120788.

Community Telegraph - August 2005

Feature on our weekly Mini Soccer programme.

Mini Soccer For Local Kids

A popular football coaching programme is being made available to children in the greater Belfast area beyond the summer months.

The TW Sports mini soccer centres offer girls and boys aged five-13 the chance to receive quality coaching and play small sided matches in a fun and safe environment from this month until next June.

Up to 18 centres will be held on a weekly basis at 13 locations throughout Belfast, Castlereagh and Newtownabbey.

All coaches involved are qualified through the Irish Football Association and adhere to the latest child protection policies.

TW Sports is run by Tim Wareing, who has over 10 years coaching experience and holds a European A Licence coaching award.  He has also received awards from Castlereagh Borough Council in recognition of his service to sport.  Tim is currently part of the coaching team with Lisburn Distillery, where he is the Under 18 manager and youth development officer.

'I am here for your son or daughter's enjoyment and development', he told the Community Telegraph.

'Unlike other coaching courses that operate only in the summer and then disappear until the next year, we are committed to your child's progression every week of the year.

'The programme I have developed will help each child learn new skills while having fun.'

The mini soccer centres have received positive feedback from a number of sources.  Angela Platt, Castlereagh Borough Council's sports development officer, said; 'Castlereagh Borough Council's sports development department has no hesitation in supporting these mini soccer centres, and their success so far is a testament to the input from the coaches.'

Mr Titterington, whose son Sam attends one of the soccer centres, commented; 'Sam really enjoys it.  He has improved his football so much over the years and has met lots of new friends with the help and support of Tim.'

For more information on the soccer centres, please contact Tim Wareing on 07740120788.

Contact us