David
Beckham reveals his soccer secrets
Eight
lucky youngsters are on their way to Madrid to train with David
Beckham.
Chosen
for C´óÏó´«Ã½'s ultimate football prize, they will fly out to be part
of an exclusive 10 part soccer skills series for The C´óÏó´«Ã½ Channel
- Beckham's Hotshots.
It's
the first time the Real Madrid player and England Captain has turned
his hand to coaching. In Madrid he'll let them in on the secrets
of his game and teach them a whole range of skills, tricks and tips.
The
prize also includes tickets to a Premiership game, a UK coaching
session, a special football strip, a tour of the Bernabeu Stadium
in Madrid and a ball signed by David Beckham.
In
an exclusive competition hundreds of nine to 13 year olds sent in
video applications to The C´óÏó´«Ã½ Channel and 20 of the best were selected
to be put through their paces.
They
spent two days training at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre –
one of England's training grounds. They all had to complete a series
of football skill tasks which looked at their dribbling, passing,
heading and volleying. They also endured a five-a-side match and
a penalty shoot-out.
Sitting
in judgement over the youngsters were some of football's toughest
critics - Alan Hansen, Peter Schmeichel, Mark Lawrenson and Hope
Powell. They watched the kids all day and had the difficult job
of selecting just eight winners.
The
winners are: Xavier White from London; Mollie
Dale from Amlwch, Wales; Kate Waddell
from Sherwood, Nottingham; James Clark from Cheshunt,
Herts; Stephen Rowan from Glasgow; Jade
Formaston from Bedworth, Warwickshire; Matthew
Mainwaring from Manchester and Courtney Sweetman-Kirk
from Leicester.
Peter
Schmeichel said: "I think it's a great competition and something
I would have loved to have been involved in as a kid.
"I've
been very surprised about the quality of the talent and how good
all the kids are for their different ages.
"Every
year there's different things that you're able to do – these
kids have really impressed me and I've really enjoyed it."
Hope
Powell said: "I think the kids have been excellent. It's been
quite a tough day for them. The tasks were really good and brought
out a lot.
"It
was nice to see girls who can actually play and compete and hold
their own in this environment, and they absolutely held their own
against the boys.
"The
decision was a really tough one. All in all the kids have been magnificent."
Beckham's
Hotshots will be hosted by C´óÏó´«Ã½'s Reggie Yates on The C´óÏó´«Ã½ Channel
in February 2004.
Notes
to Editors
The
Executive Producer is Reem Nouss.
Peter
Schmeichel – Former Manchester United and Manchester City
goalkeeper who also captained his national side, Denmark.
Mark
Lawrenson - Former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland defender and
regular ´óÏó´«Ã½ football pundit.
Hope
Powell – National coach, England Women's Team.
Alan
Hansen – Former Liverpool defender and Scottish international,
now ´óÏó´«Ã½ Match of the Day pundit.
All the
´óÏó´«Ã½'s digital services are now available on ,
the new free-to-view digital terrestrial television service, as well
as on satellite and cable.
Freeview
offers the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s eight television channels, interactive services
from ´óÏó´«Ã½i, as well as 11 national ´óÏó´«Ã½ radio networks.
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