Experiences and advice for a better Lezama

Lezama's youth coaches gathered together for a training day at San Mamés on Tuesday afternoon, where they reviewed the season, took part in training exercises, discussed next year's goals and listened to a series of speeches related to education and player care in coaching

Three Copa winners, Raúl García, Dani García and Aitor Paredes, the latter of which climbed from Athletic's Under-11s to the first team, spoke about their own journeys in the world of football. 

The event, which was attended most members of the Board of Directors, was organised Athletic's academy director, Sergio Navarro.

Forward Raúl García remembered "the coaches marking individual points for us and focusing on weak points".

He continued: "In my first matches with the reserve team, I wasn't called up. In Segunda B, I learnt to run. The different levels put you in your place. 

"They put me on the wing so I ran even more, it was very good for me. You appreciate that they want to make you improve. Over time you learn that it's not so much the amount of hours you put in as the quality. You have to give players the tools to learn values. Football is like life. 

"We can't think of a team with a personality where everyone is the same. Players get tired. When they see learning as something negative, it's very difficult. The path is not straight, the best players, with the best abilities, don't always arrive to the top."

Aitor Paredes, the centre-back who made his senior breakthrough this season spoke about the importance of knowing "what stage each kid is at".

"The first four years up to Under-15s are fun. You have a good time with friends and coaches," he said. "You realise you're getting closer and it's an option you want.

"I didn't enjoy it after that. There was a lot of focus on improving as a player and I felt pressured to do well. It's not easy because the coach tells you what you have to improve, you review your goals and you're more focused on that than anything else.

"I remember them as grey days. I think that those who came in new at Under-18s and Under-15s trailed behind. It was difficult for them because of the language and the rhythms.

"The step up to the first team is the most difficult. There's no more development, it's more about performing every weekend."

Midfielder Dani Garcia spoke about learning to become a professional "the hard way" and lacking "someone close" to tell him to be calm after tough trial matches.

He said: "I wasn't in a professional structure until I signed for Real Sociedad's Under-18s. I had a hard time in the trials because everyone was at a different level. Nobody came to me and told me to be calm, on a personal level I lacked someone close to me. It's important for new people. I've learnt the hard way.

"Getafe B was a turning point with people of my age. From Eibar onwards, everything went upwards. Athletic has been a dream, I couldn't be in a better team. There are people who get swayed, by bad influences, families, etc. I've tried to survive in my career and I've done well. It's important that the people at Lezama are well advised.

"I've been with lads who had played from under-11s and they were burnt out and had no  motivation to train. Their enthusiasm had gone. That has to be taken care of with more entertaining training sessions. I only ask coaches to treat those who play and those who don't play the same."

"This has to be a constant process," concluded Athletic Club president Jon Uriarte, together with director of football Mikel González, who asked the coaches to "maintain their passion and work together in times of difficulty".

Introduced by the Department of Player Care, different educational experts from inside and outside Athletic told the technical staff that for the youngsters at Lezama, there should be more to life than "just training", while also reminding them of their privileged positions: "You coaches are their life, the centre of their life."

Johana Ruiz Olabuenaga, director of the club's Communities Department and Galder Reguera, from Athletic's Foundation, spoke about 'GarATHuz', an initiative based around providing Lezama's youngster with a rounded education.

Three representatives from Peña Denon Athletic, a supporters' group for Athleticzales with functional diversity also made a speech. They were grateful for the opportunity to raise awareness about their group within Athletic and meet the Under-14s and their coaching staff.

Retired Zurigorri midfielder Joseba Garmendia and legendary former Athletic Women player Eli Ibarra also had their moment. The latter pointed out that for her football was "a hobby, my game was that I knew what to do. I don't remember anything special, just enjoying myself".

Garmendia reminisced about his journey from the bottom of the footballing ladder to the top, remembering the people who helped him "more in human terms than in football", reiterating that those relationships are "the best memory you can leave the players".