Seasons » 2015-16 » Everton News
Everton hire new Academy Director
29 Comments Dr Peter Vint, former Senior Director of Competitive Analysis, Research and Innovation with the US Olympic Committee, headed a team of leading sports science and medical professionals that oversaw the United States' team that won 64 medals at the 2012 Olympics in London.
“The reputation of Everton Football Club and its Academy is world-renowned and I am really excited about beginning my work at the Club,” Peter said on the club's official site.
“Everton has an unparalleled history and an inspiring connection to the local community. The club also takes great pride in finding and developing exceptional young footballers and placing Academy graduates on a path towards our first team.
“I have been impressed with members of the club’s excellent staff and the environment the club has created for the young footballers under our care. What has been most compelling to me, however, and ultimately has led to my decision to join the club, is Everton’s genuine willingness to challenge the status quo and challenge ourselves as individuals to be even better. In the world of high performance sport, this is often said but rarely done. I am truly grateful and I am genuinely excited for this great opportunity to lead Everton’s Academy as the new Director.”
Reader Comments (29)
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2 Posted 30/12/2015 at 16:58:36
7 Posted 30/12/2015 at 17:37:38
8 Posted 30/12/2015 at 18:03:17
9 Posted 30/12/2015 at 18:10:02
10 Posted 30/12/2015 at 18:33:07
Most 'performance experts' specialise in one thing - bullshit. (See athletics, swimming and tennis) I thought we had enough of these on the books !
11 Posted 30/12/2015 at 18:42:33
12 Posted 30/12/2015 at 18:54:00
13 Posted 30/12/2015 at 19:08:16
14 Posted 30/12/2015 at 19:16:19
15 Posted 30/12/2015 at 19:18:07
16 Posted 30/12/2015 at 19:31:57
Huge improvements under the performance analysis system installed by Vint, who doesn't know anything more about sprint relays or backstrokes than he does about footy... but knows a hell of a lot about how cutting-edge science is maximizing athletic performance, training and health.
Hell, if the guy saves us two pulled hamstrings a year, he's worth it.
17 Posted 30/12/2015 at 19:52:09
18 Posted 30/12/2015 at 20:06:37
The realist in me just sees this as the appointment of somebody to the back room staff.
19 Posted 30/12/2015 at 20:11:19
20 Posted 30/12/2015 at 20:16:24
21 Posted 30/12/2015 at 20:26:06
A serious appointment for a serious job.
Well qualified, a proven track record – can only be a good thing.
Well done, Everton.
22 Posted 30/12/2015 at 22:05:26
These first utterances seem to be in keeping with the psycho-babble that pervades so much of professional sport and the inflation of language and which is seemingly so beloved by the current manager. Call it Sports Science, call the participants "elite" etc and the myths surrounding sport continue to grow encouraging us all to think it is oh so complex, difficult, and often beyond "normal" understanding. All the while providing lucrative employment for the legions trying to feed off the rich pickings available.
And the end results? We have current examples like the claptrap from the manager regarding two of his "elite" athletes such as Miralles and Lennon who could not be expected to play a couple of games of football over a three or four day period now could they? Why? Because they are "sprinters"!! Is the industry mad?
Let us hope that this new incursion into the so called Academy is a success but the manager of Sunderland is an example of an avowed long time believer in the power of science applied to soccer so let us not worship at the altar of the "scientists" just yet.
23 Posted 30/12/2015 at 22:13:46
To appoint a man with his recent CV is a massive coup for the club. I don't care if he is not up to speed on football. We have enough ex players at the Academy for that.
If you get the chance, go and watch an Academy game. I can highly recommend them
24 Posted 31/12/2015 at 00:47:20
Think Moneyball
25 Posted 31/12/2015 at 02:18:01
27 Posted 31/12/2015 at 07:31:21
28 Posted 31/12/2015 at 07:32:28
29 Posted 31/12/2015 at 10:38:03
The likes of Allardyce will use science to know how far players can run in a game, how fast they sprint, where they tend to run, etc. They then monitor the stats to assess performance, fitness and form. Some of us argue that mediocre managers use this useful stuff so they can measure what's easy to measure, rather than coaching footballers to pass the ball better, or in our case, getting them to concentrate.
For me this will be a good appointment if it means we focus more on the mental side of things. It can be harder to measure, but the mentally resilient tend to be more successful in all walks of life, particularly sport. Look back to us two seasons ago, or regularly under Moyes, when these good players choked when close to achievement. Watch England in any tournament these days and see how they crumble.
I can understand anyone getting irritated when people start using daft language to describe something simple, but behind the nonsense I can spot potential for getting an edge on others.
30 Posted 31/12/2015 at 11:17:24
One of the criticisms the club gets is that it is amateurish and behind the curve. This looks like a bold and innovative big name appointment. Let's hope it provides a solid platform for us to develop and nurture players going forward. The significance of a big name American is not lost on me either... given takeover rumours. Does he know something we don't...?
31 Posted 31/12/2015 at 12:54:40
Regarding this appointment a clue lies in one word of the job title, 'Director'. He will hopefully bring strategic direction to the running of the Academy so that the young players coming through are better equipped to make it to the very top. Too many reach a high level at the various age groups, including international representation, before disappearing into obscurity in the lower leagues. It is very much the same at all Premier League clubs and although we are better than most we need to improve.
So we need to do something different in order that the Academy stars aged 17/18 maintain their professional development instead of levelling off. The success of this appointment can only be judged in 3 to 4 years when we will see how many more Academy players have established themselves in the first team squad.
32 Posted 31/12/2015 at 13:06:25
Surely it can only be a positive move to have this man in charge to oversee the whole programme to develop and protect the young talent coming through and the first team. Hell, maybe he can get Big Dunc fit for first team action!
We have lost a few backroom medical/physio staff in the past 12+ months, and maybe we have been waiting to get the right person in.
Wishing all at ToffeeWeb and fellow posters a Happy New Year!
33 Posted 31/12/2015 at 15:13:21
I note that the article fails to state how long this bloke will be with us, if this "hire" is an exclusive, permanent engagement or contract / consultancy type arrangement.
34 Posted 31/12/2015 at 15:21:38
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1 Posted 30/12/2015 at 16:49:16