When England take to the pitch against Andorra at Villa Park on Saturday, they will not be the only team of English players on the grass. Dotted around the pitch will be the England Under-15 team who are going to be the ball boys for the game - and the reason they will be there is because of long-term planning by the Football Association (FA).
Sometimes it's the paths we don't take. This very thought was beginning to fester in the mind of a young Thomas Frank. In his early 30s and a father of two, Frank was completing a master's degree in psychology while working as an instructor for the Danish FA. All while holding down a part-time job as youth coordinator of Hvidovre, a second-tier side in the suburbs of Copenhagen.
Liverpool have secured the long-term future of highly rated midfielder James McConnell, with The Athletic reporting that the 20-year-old has signed a new five-year contract at Anfield. At the same time, McConnell is poised to leave Merseyside on loan, with Ajax agreeing terms to take the England youth international on a season-long deal. The decision represents a significant step in McConnell's development.
Arsenal have been linked with the move for the Fluminense attacking midfielder Isaque Silva this summer. According to a report from RTIEsporte, Arsenal have already made an enquiry for the 18-year-old, and it will be interesting to see if they follow up with an official offer to sign the player. Silva is highly rated in South America, and he has a bright future.
Walking through the streets of Singapore, Warriors assistant coach Khalid Robinson felt parallels between the dense island nation's culture and his hometown of Harlem, New York.
The new Stomping Grounds facility in Culver City, California, aims to create inclusive spaces for underserved youth, offering opportunities for athletic and personal development.
"I know the value in a child's life of having those opportunities. They improve interpersonal communication skills, self-confidence, teamwork, dedication, and cooperation, plus the ability to stick with projects - even when they are a challenge."
"It's been very important to learn here, because you're moving into the real world. You're now evolving into this whole different person," he said ahead of graduating from Project Search.