They could hardly wait. Well before the published start time of 8 am, hordes of kids and their parents stormed the Bayern training ground on Saturday morning. “My son’s not been able to sleep for three days,” reported 10-year-old Thomas’s mother, “but we’re starting at last.” Some 500 kids took part in last weekend’s Talent Days 2012 at the Säbener Strasse, an annual scouting event which remains unique in Germany.
“It was a totally successful event. The standard was good, and the kids were thrilled. Everyone really enjoyed it,” FC Bayern junior team director of sport Michael Tarnat told fcbayern.de. Kids from the 2002/03 and 2004/05 year groups attended the Talent Days on this occasion. The club received more than 1,600 applications, with just under a third of the hopefuls receiving invitations to join in over the weekend.
Visitors from near and far
Most were from Munich and the surrounding region, but some travelled much further than that. “We even had someone from Cairo this year,” revealed junior team match coordinator Sebastian Dremmler. The group showing off their skills on the Säbener Strasse artificial turf also included a handful of youngsters from Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia and Slovakia.
The Bayern scouting section closely observed the kids in action in a five-a-side tournament played on reduced size pitches. Every participant played for a total of an hour in three 20-minute matches. “They give it their best shot. The coaches and the scouts really enjoy watching the kids battle away,” explained Tarnat. The best of a very good bunch will shortly be invited to the club for a trial.
Generous gift from adidas
Even for those who aren’t selected at this time, the memory of the day will live on. “My son’s beaming from ear to ear,” reported Thomas’s mum in the afternoon. Just a short time later, Thomas took his seat in the family car wearing his brand new Bayern training kit, a gift to every kid from FCB Partner adidas, before setting off for home tired but happy.
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