Rob was invited to Calgary Canada to be a part of one of their soccer academy’s move into urban freestyle soccer training. PASS (Premier Academy of Soccer Skills)

Tommy Wheeldon, former pro player with Everton had organized the urban soccer theme and asked Rob if he would like to be a part of it, showing the Canadian youngsters, not only standard techniques for football, but to throw in the street style, freestyle aspect of it also.

As Canada is still growing from a football perspective, Rob wasn’t sure how the students would respond to his style and unorthodox coaching. To his surprise they absolutely loved it and welcomed it with gusto.

Rob spent a week out there as part of the coaching staff, instilling to the kids how important the practicing of the techniques are. He organized soccer circuits, ball control drills and other fundamentals that were a little unusual to the Canadian.

“I loved coaching the kids here, some of the female coaches are very talented too with good banter that made it a lot of fun for me to be around them”

Tommy and Tyrone took Rob out into the Rocky mountains to do a little freestyling also which was absolutely brilliant even though the temperature was -27C…yes -27C.

“It took a little getting use to but once I got the hang of just how cold it was it seemed pretty normal. Never thought I would say that”

Most of the Soccer centre’s training and coaching sessions were indoors which Rob was grateful for, and they were organized really well. Rob along with Tommy improvised some of the sessions to concentrate on ball control which the students appreciated and were happy to do.

“I had a great time in Canada, there are some great players here considering it is still developing its football structures. The girls are great also and they take It very seriously, so watch out boys”

Rob also did regular random and organized demonstrations for the families and friends involved in the week long camps.

“I look forward to coming back to Canada as the Urban soccer style begins to develops around the country”.