Chicago Fire FC’s Post

Transcript

The Discovery Centre idea was was a collaborative conversation with with a lot of key stakeholders within the Chicago Fire Organization. Because within one side in Bridgeview, we can't capture all the players in the area. So we decided to do pretty much a roadshow, you know, just getting out and about and creating these free discovery centres where not only are we looking at talent ID and recruitment and looking at the best players, but also getting the name of Chicago Fire out there. So it's been a free program. As I say, we've been around a lot of the areas, all the suburbs into the city, just to get our name around, just to know that we are decent people and we run a professional organization. The process started eight months ago, we looked at over 1000 players and we're on April 17th, 2024 and this is the final night. We've got around 32 players coming in tonight and we will make final decisions. At the end of the day, this is the professional pathway, this is the top of the pyramid. So to actually get selected from tonight, you know, it's a massive, massive achievement. Well, I've enjoyed it all. It's all been great. The competition has been incredible of playing with all these incredible players. Like each session I get better and better just by playing with them. As a parent, anytime you have an opportunity to put your child in a situation doing something they love and that they're passionate about and they're actually having so much fun doing it, and they're surrounded by top talent that's just elevating their game. And this scenario, the discovery centers, it's, how can you not say it's incredible? Joined Chicago Fire Academy What would this mean to not only you, but Gavin and the rest of the family? I think for Gavin, first and foremost, because that's who's the most important here. I think this is really just icing on the cake to what's been an incredible experience and to not only be able to surround himself by such great talent, but then to be selected, it's just that gratification of knowing that he's made it into one of the top clubs. It's just, it's amazing for the family. We're just all so proud of him. You know, Gavin is the youngest of three boys and they always pick on each other and this is just a great opportunity for him to throw it. Back at his older brothers and be like, look where I've come, like where look where I started, look where I am now. And it's it's pretty awesome. What's up, bro? How you doing, man? Good. Yeah. Soccer's boy, huh? How's everything going over there? Yeah. How old are you? 11, about to be 12 and position. What do you play? Striker, striker and winger. That's not a bad spot. I can kind of relate. How have you found the Discovery Center so far? Have they been good? Hard? Yeah, pretty challenging. Yeah. Good level testing you a little bit. It's good to know. I'm glad you're excited for tonight. But actually the reason why you're here is there's no training tonight for you. I'm sorry about that. Maybe you can go train and kick the ball around if you want. But actually we're here because we want to offer you a place and in the Academy team here with EU thirteens so. Congratulations, Here we go. We got this for you. Yeah, of course. It's a good day for you mate. There you go man, nice and easy, just like that couple of Discovery Centers and here you go, no future for you.