PRO PROJECT SERIES: Christchurch International Cup

A PROUD MOMENT

It’s always a proud moment seeing our players wear the black and white and represent The Pro Project.

First off, a huge thank you to all the parents and players. Your support, time, and energy are what make these experiences possible, and we really appreciate it.

The boys should be proud of how they carried themselves both on and off the pitch. Hopefully, they've come away from the weekend feeling inspired, motivated, and excited to keep pushing forward in their development.

MORE THAN JUST FOOTBALL

Trips like this are about a lot more than just the games. They're about challenging players in all areas.

Whether it's dealing with pressure, managing emotions, adapting to new teammates or roles, these tournaments stretch the players across all four corners of development: technical, tactical, physical, and mental. And that’s exactly what they need at this stage.

It's not just about the games .. it's about the challenge

SCHEDULE & PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

One of the best things about the weekend was just how much football we packed into three days. Back home in Auckland, it would take six weeks to get that much football in.

The intensity, variety of opposition, and quick turnarounds between games all helped fast-track learning. You don’t get that kind of growth in regular weekly fixtures.

The intensity and variety presented instant growth for our players.

HIGHS, LOWS AND FEEDBACK

The tournament gave our players instant feedback, and the game is the teacher:

·  How do I respond to winning and losing?

·  How do I feel about not starting or being subbed?

·  What part of my game can I do more consistently?

·  Is my work rate and competitiveness where it needs to be?

These are tough but important questions. You don't build resilience by talking about it, you build it by living & playing through moments like these.

WHAT WE TOOK AWAY

Adaptability, Resilience, Humility, Team Culture

Adaptability: We came up against different systems and styles, and the boys had to adjust quickly - great to see.

Resilience: Whatever the results, the boys kept turning up with the right attitude and support for each other.

Humility: Learning how to win and lose properly, massive part of development.

Team Culture: We were a mix of boys from different clubs and regions, but they came together well and represented The Pro Project brilliantly.

SHOUT OUT TO OUR U10'S

Hard to pick a specific highlight, however a special mention to our U10s who went all the way and won it!

They showed real grit, togetherness, and played some top football right through the tournament.

A great example of what we want to be about - well done, boys (and John)!

WRAPPING UP

We hope all the players have come back from Christchurch with more than just memories, hopefully some lessons that will stick with them as they keep growing in their football journey.

" A final THANK YOU to everyone who played a part in the trip. We're already looking forward to the next one!"