Football Dream
Publisher: Atlas Contact
How I fell in love with the ball but got sick of the football world
It’s the ultimate little boy’s dream: becoming a pro football player. Finn Berk stands out at an early age because of his enormous talent and insight in the game. Soon he trades his regular football club in Haarlem for the youth academy at AZ. From then on, it is every man for himself. The only thing that counts for the coach is winning and the only thing that counts for every player is not being sent away.
Where a team sport should be about team spirit, you don’t know who you can trust or not in practise. Performance pressure from above leads to compulsion, a culture of fear and the disappearance of enjoyment of the game. Finn notices that his personality changes because of the harsh environment and he does things that scare him afterwards. Football Dream is a personal and touching story of growing up, winners mentality and daring to chose yourself.
Praise:
‘Always go on, push through it all, never talk and certainly never cry. That’s how it is in youth. Finn’s story is our story.’ – Gianni Zuiverloon, former footballer with Feyenoord, West Bromwich Albion and RCD Mallorca and founder of the Play Mental organization.
