A TRIO of Southend United teenagers are reaping the rewards of working hard throughout their summer break.
Beau MacDonald and Piers Hatcliff, who have both been with the Shrimpers first team since reporting back for pre-season, were among those who headed out to Marbella for warm weather training with the head coach and founder of Essex Player Development George Gray last month.
And Gray felt the trip was hugely beneficial for everyone involved.
“The boys were top notch,” said Gray.
“They were excellent and so was their preparation.
“They were all pushing themselves into an extra gear in every session and they’ve been left completely exhausted.
“But the most important thing is that they’re around professional players that are playing in the Premier League, Champions League and the EFL Championship where they’ve had conversations with them and have learned some valuable lessons.”
Blues youth team midfielder Louis Bragg, who came on against Canvey Island last night, also made the trip.
And it is an idea Gray came up with at the start of the year.
“The idea came around in early January when I was speaking with some coaches within the football industry and they recommended training abroad,” said Gray.
“The idea of working abroad is something I’ve always wanted to do, and it was worth all the effort and conversations to get to this point.”
Training for the players took place over a four-day period located at the Marbella Football Training Centre where Gray devised multiple sessions with different techniques focused on in every one.
And MacDonald, who signed his first professional contract with the club earlier this summer, felt the trip was hugely beneficial.
“I had an unreal time,” said MacDonald.
“It was hard work but we all had a good laugh and it was such an incredible learning experience.”
And those sentiments were echoed by Hatcliff who scored from the penalty spot in Blues’ 5-0 win at Great Wakering Rovers on Saturday.
“The training was intense but I know myself and the lads have benefited from it,” said Hatcliff.
“Travelling to Marbella and being surrounded by high level players was a pleasure. Thank you to George and the boys for making it such a great camp.”
Essex Player Development has now become one of the county’s top academies with more than 500 players on their books.
Shrimpers legend Steve Tilson and his former assistant Paul Brush are among the coaches on board.
And Gray is now looking to build on the summer camp.
“This has pushed me as a coach,” said Gray.
“I like to keep pursuing forwards with new ideas and new things.
“Looking back, this has always been something I’ve envisioned and manifested to do.
“It’s also part of something I’m trying to build and the idea of coming back to Marbella next year with more players and even further countries is definitely on the cards.”
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