Seasons Greetings - All the Best for 2010

Positive Thoughts For the Few Year

Much has been achieved in the year just gone by. Although already mentioned in previous posts.....the academy establishment would like to thank all our supporters and management staff for thier hard work and dedication throghout 2009.

Special mention goes to:

Leonard Otieno - for his organisation and direction

Fredi - for keeping the kids trainied and focused

Yamo - for succesfully organising the Ushirika Tourney

John Omondi - for his donations of trophies to the Ushirika Tournament, 2009.

Hooters Restaurants - for their generous donation

All the organisers, officials (referees and assistants) and participants in the just concluded Ushirika Tournament in November 2009.

We would like to wish all our followers and those involved in promoting our activities a very Happy and Prospeorus New Year in 2010!

Thank you.

Peter

Ushirika Cup Success - Saturday 21 November 2009

Many thanks to all the teams, players and coaches that attended the recently-concluded Ushirika Cup tournament hosted by the academy on Saturday 21 Nov 2009 at the KCC Sports Ground, Dandora in the sunny city of Nairobi - Kenya.


Special thanks, too to:

Yamo and his team for successfully organising the tourney and the events on the day.

All the officials (referees and assisstant referees) for their hard work in ensuring that all matches went ahead and were played in a safe environment and according to the rules of the game.

The crowd for their well-behaved attitude and heary cheering and support of their respective teams.

The management of the academy would like to thank Mr John Ogutu Omondi (also known as "Oscar Julliet" or OJ) for donating trophies for winners, 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up for both categories in the Under 12 and Under 14 teams.


Plans are under way to secure premises for use by the academy participants when not in school or when not playing matches. This will have to be stocked with learning and recreational equipment as they are obtained.

Once again, the academy would like to send out a plea to sponsor a website. It is though this website that we can let the world know of our great activities and achievements. So, anyone out there?

Looking forward to the next event......watch this space!!

Leon moves from White Hart Lane to Craven Cottage!

Congratulations to Leon "Simba" Jordan, who has recently been scouted by Fulham Football Club and now trains with the U6 Youth Development side at the club!

His elder brother Noel "Babu" Francis is currently eying a big move; details to follow - watch this space!

Nice one boys!!

ESA Website...

There is an urgent need for the academy to have a website, as the benefits far outweigh the current blog setup.

Donations, pledges and contributions are urgently required, if we are to promote the academy effectively and realise our dream of providing the youth with a chance.

We must remember out motto of "Learn, Perform and Excel!"


Peter

Puma 2000 Youth Soccer Tournament

Southgate Adelaide U14/15 are looking forward to participating in this coming Saturday's Puma2000 youth soccer tournament in Chelmsford, London.

All the best to the boys!

Southgate Adelaide U14/15 Winners Again!

Two weeks ago saw Noel and co lift yet another trophy at the Hemel Hemspted tournament.

The boys are doing well and have dedicated this win to Eastlands Soccer Academy in Nairobi, Kenya. Many thanks for the lovely thought :-D

We need to stand firm in the wake of the global financial crisis....

The credit crunch is adversely affecting our operations; but we have to maintain faith and hope......otherwise the highly committed youth that we support will have no direction!

I have been trying to solicit for funds to enable us to continue offering our services, but it is proving quite difficult and challenging!

Many thanks to Ms Mavies in the pharmacy department at Princess Elizabeth Hospital (PEH) in Guernsey in the British Channel Islands for her donation of clogs which we hope to put on sale and raise funds to further the academy's cause. Thank you, Mavies and many Blessings!

Peter.

Summer Holidays

Looking forward to the summer holidays and a visit to the academy.

A big-up to "Tosh" for his support and following.

I am aware that there may be difficulty in registering for membership on the blogsite, and I am working on streamlining the process. Please bear with me.

ESA players

Southgate Adelaide FC U14s Win the AFA County Cup!

Congratulations are in order.....

Well done to Southgate Adelaide U14 for winning the AFA County cup on 29 March 2009!

Suffice to say the boys played well and contolled the game right from the first whistle and went on to win the match by 2 goals to 1.

Credit must to the opposition, who put up a good game of it and hit the post once.

Happy Easter to You All

I have not had a chance to blog for a while due to pressure at work and at university; however, things have been running rather 50-50 at the Academy of late.

I have also been working on finalising the Academy's mission statement and objectives - which I hope to post pretty soon.

With the credit cruch as it is, funds have rather dried up and the planned Easter Soccer Tournament 2009 shall not, therefore, regrettably take place.

May I take this opportunity to wish all and sundry a Happy and Holy Easter!

Condolences to the relatives and friends of Nairobi Nakumatt and Molo Fire incidences

Once again, on behalf of all those at the Academy, I would like to express our sincere and heart-felt condolences to the relatives and friends of those that perished in the Nakumatt and Molo tanker fires.

It is a pity that such incidences occur, however, we all need to come together in timesof such tragedy and be there for each other.......it is what makes a great people and nation.

May they RIP.

Peter.

Snow Causing Havoc in the UK

Following the freak snow/hail storm in Kenya in August of 2008 when I was in Nairobi, it seems as if the cold snap just wants to stay with me! I couldn't even leave my doorstep all day today as the snow was so heavy that over 6 milliion Britons couldn't make it to work!

I am yet to get the full details of the meet-the-players-and-parents afternoon held by the academy on 21 January 2009.

I shall post the info as soon as I receive it from those in Nairobi.

Watch this space.

Peter.

We All Share The World's Joy & Happiness For President Obama!

On behalf of all at Eastlands occer Academy, may I take this opportunity to say how proud we are to witnes this historic occassn and to offer our best wishes to Prsident Obama and his Dream Team!

Eastlands Soccer Academy Management

Peter Omondi (Patron)

Peter is a Football Association Level 2 qualified coach, with extensive coaching experience in Europe and the United States of America, and is currently the manager/head coach of Southgate Adelaide FC under 14 youth team at Southgate Adelaide Football Club in London, UK (http://www.southgate-adelaide-fc.co.uk/results_fixtures.shtml )

Peter (or "Doc" as kown by his colleagues) is a former sportsman who participated in various sports – Basketball (at school, club and international level), Soccer (school), Handball (club and international level) and Rugby Football Union (school and club).

Originally trained as a Pharmacist, Peter also has a Bachelors Degree (Hons) in Computer Network Engineering and is currently studying for his Masters in Managing Business Information Technology.

He currently works and lives with his family in the UK, and his sons Noel (14) plays football in the side that Peter coaches as well as Enfield District Football (and been scouted, on various occasions, by Chelsea, Crystal Palace, QPR and Watford); while Leon (4) has had a stint at Tottenham youth under-5s team. His older son, Glenn, is also an accomplished athlete (who has run the 100 meters as well as 4x100 relay) and plays American Football for London Blitz. Glenn was Rookie of the Year 2007/08 season


Washington Odhiambo (Technical Director)

A Pharmacist by profession, Washington currently works at HH the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi.

“Wash” as he is affectionately known by his close friends, played football at school level (Highway Secondary School in Nairobi) before signing up for Kibera Sportiff (a well-established youth academy at the time) and finally Re-Union FC (Kenya Super League side) and the Kenya National team (“Harambee Stars”).

He then went on to manage (Head Coach) Re-Union FC and achieved great results before turning his attention to working with the youth.

Wash brings with him a wealth of experience to the set-up and we look forward to his expertise.


Leonard Otieno (Operations Director & Head Coach)

A Diploma holder in IT, Leonard is currently pursuing a degree course in Business Information Technology, while at the same time, studying for a Diploma in Sports Management.

Leonard is a Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA); Kenya Football Federation (KFF) Class C & Royal Netherlands Football Association (RNFA) qualified coach with coaching experience in Europe (Mathare United participation in Norway Youth Cup) and the youth in Mathare Youth sports Association leagues as well as various secondary schools in the country.

Leonard played for his school (Parklands High School, Nairobi) and Maziwa FC in the Kenyan Super League; and is held in very high esteem by his peers and those he has worked with. Leonard is a dedicated individual who wants all to succeed in whatever they undertake in life.

In Leonard, the Academy has one of the best youth coaches in the country and we hope benefit greatly from his contribution towards our goals and objectives.


Frederic Wasawa (Operations Co-coordinator)

A social worker by profession, Fred brings his peer counseling and youth mobilisation skills to ESA and is our current co-coordinator.

Fred’s dedication and organizational skills are second-to-none, and I am not wrong in stating that the academy’s current activities are in part greatly successful due to his efforts in pushing forward our ideas and plans; especially when it comes to mobilization.

The academy appreciates Fred’s efforts and contribution in making sure that players turn up to training sessions and matches (Fred will personally pick up the youger players and drop them off).

Keep up the good work, Freddie!


Maurice Odipo (Coach)

Played his youth football under Leonard and is currently playing for former premier league champions Tusker FC. Also had stints with Re-union and Gor Mahia and Securicor FC in the Kenyan premier league.

“Odi” as he’s generally known, takes time off from his hectic schedule (when not playing football) to coach and work with the academy’s players.

When at work, Odi is a joy to watch and his technical and ball-handling skills are greatly appreciated.

A big-up to you, Odi!


Robert Owuor (Coach)

Also played his youth football under Leonard and is currently playing for Outering United in the KFF Super league. Also, played for Harambee SACCO as well as the National Bank of Kenya football team that participated in the Kenya Nationwide League.

“Ayala” as he’s affectionately known by all, has great technical skills and an excellent reader of the game. He also coaches other young teams in and around the borough (“mtaani” as is known in Kiswahili) and most players currently playin in youth and senior leagues in Nairobi Province have passed through his hands.

The academy is proud to have “Ayala” in our ranks and it is all upwards from here.

Parents and Players' Get-together (Saturday 17 January 2009)

The academy committee has set aside Saturday, 17 January 2009 as a special day for all those in the club, especially players and their parents/huardians to get together and know each other better.

This event had been ear-marked for just before Christmas, but had to be postponed due to the fact that most Kenyan families travel upcountry to spend the festive time with their families and loved ones over there.

We are eagerly looking forward to this event.

Please watch this space.


Peter.

Happy New Year and Welcome to Eastlands soccer Academy Blogsite!

Hi All!

Welcome to my new blog on the soccer academy that I support and help run in Nairobi, Kenya.

The academy has been up and running since 2007/08 following my visit to Kenya in 2006, during whence I had the privilage to watch a match during a tournament hosted and run by my brother Leonard Otieno.

I was impressed by the level skills and committment. Most of the players were too poor to afford soccer boots, shin guards or socks - things that children and players in the developed world take for granted!

I have since managed to get donations from my local football club (Southgate Adelaide FC) in North London, in the form of used footballs, playing kit and training gear - which I had the pleasure to present to the team during my last visit to Nairobi last summer (August 2008).

The donations were so greatly appreciated and well received, that I have made more plans to send some more next summer!

Please feel free to read through my blog and offer any help and assisstance that you may have.

Many thanks and happy blogging.

Peter Omondi.