Ajax TIPS system
Tipster
When it comes to developing their own players, few teams can compete
with Ajax Amsterdam.
Forget the Man Utd youth team that found the likes of David Beckham,
the Neville brothers and Paul Scholes.
And never mind the Liverpool set-up that unearthed players of the
calibre of Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.
When you're talking about a production line of real world class talent,
it's all about Ajax's world-famous De Toekomst (which translates as
'the future') academy.
Just consider this list of players who came up through the Ajax ranks:
Johan Cruyff, Johan Neeskens, Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard, Edgar
Davids, Clarence Seedorf, Patrick Kluivert and Dennis Bergkamp.
Not a bad line-up!
So what is it that allows a club that, by its own admission, cannot
compete financially with the likes of Man Utd or Real Madrid to
discover such fantastic talent?
So what is it that makes De Toekomst such a prolific supplier of
top-notch football talent?
For starters, the facilities at the training centre are second-to-none.
With seven grass pitches (including three specifically for training),
an artificial pitch and a small stadium where the second-team (aka Ajax
2) play, the complex lacks nothing in comparison to Europe's biggest
clubs.
All this just across the road from the 51,000 capacity Amsterdam ArenA,
so the carrot of the possibility of first-team football is always there
for the 160 youngsters.
The complex also includes a weights room, a gymnasium and a swimming
pool for recuperation from injury.
And the club leaves nothing to chance when it comes to the personnel
employed to guide the young players.
As well as 10 full-time coaches, there's a doctor, dietician, chef, six
masseurs and physiotherapists, three medical assistants and several
teachers.
Teachers? That's right - don't think that just because you get into one
of the most famous football academies in the world that you can get
away without doing your homework!
The club places great importance on their players' education, and any
time missed in the classroom is expected to be caught up in full.
If your grades start slipping, you run the risk of missing games and -
if the problem persists - of being chucked out altogether!
And if that sounds strict, every player - whether he's eight or 18 - is
given a book explaining the rules they are expected to live by.
Examples include no mobile phones, no earrings and no baseball caps!
Who said being a footballer is easy!?
So what are the Ajax coaches looking for in a young player?
In a word, it's TIPS.
And they don't mean a dead cert for the 3.40 at Aintree!
TIPS is Ajax's famous system for assessing their young players and
stands for Technique, Insight, Personality and Speed.
Essentially, you need to be a very good player with the skills,
understanding of the game, strength of character and out-and-out pace
to shine in a very competitive environment.
Not much to ask!
But the club believes that the most important part of any young
player's armoury is their ability on the ball.
"It's mainly ball skills," says coach Arnold Murhen.
"We don't ask the kids to run all day - it's all about skills."
In terms of actually spotting the talent, Ajax believe you're never too
young!
De Toekomst is divided into age groups, with the youngest intake
arriving at just eight-years-old.
But the club actually begin to search for players with six-year-olds!
Makes Wayne Rooney look like a pensioner!
They have scouts all over Holland as well as in parts of South America
and Africa to keep an eye out for the best young players
It also hosts a three-day 'talent week' once a year where 1,400
children are offered the chance to showcase their abilities in a series
of tests and drills.
Occasionally a player will be invited to join the academy after
impressing during the week.
One player who made his mark at the event is Rafael van der Vaart, now
rated as the most exciting player in Dutch football.