Wednesday, 17 December 2003 12:00 AM
It is the dream of a lifetime for two lucky, young Aussie soccer players: to play alongside soccer superstar David Beckham.
The world’s most famous soccer player has offered to teach his phenomenal ball skills to Australian youngsters. In an exclusive with the Seven Network’s TODAY TONIGHT, a boy and a girl will be chosen to go to Spain and be personally coached by the Real Madrid midfielder.
The South Melbourne Soccer Club will be playing a key role in the process with the Melbourne trials being held at Bob Jane Stadium and being adjudicated by South coach, Stuart Munro and two of South’s players.
“I think the important thing that kids need to realise is that [playing good football] doesn’t just happen, it takes practice. My dad used to take me to the park all the time,” Beckham said.
To learn how Beckham passes with pinpoint accuracy and kicks for goal with lethal consequences, children aged between nine and 13 are being asked to send a video displaying their ball skills or magic moments in a game to TODAY TONIGHT. All videos will be judged according to a set of criteria of skills and 10 boys and 10 girls will be selected from each state to progress to the next round.
A South Melbourne Soccer Club panel will be responsible for selecting 1 boy and 1 girl from Victoria / Tasmania who will then be flown to Sydney where a panel of soccer stars, including Socceroos coach Frank Farina, will select the two winners. They’ll be flown to Spain to join Beckham’s coaching camp with 18 other children from around the world.
The resulting program, titled Really Bend It Like Beckham, will be seen on the SEVEN NETWORK in 2004.
For full entry details and competition terms and conditions please visit: www.todaytonight.com.au