Reds star in the Lake District

The young Reds retreated to a secluded hotel in the Lake District where they listened to a variety of presentations as well as taking part in some good-natured team building exercises.

The Academy's head of education and welfare, Phil Roscoe was highly satisfied with the outcome of an intense 48 hours and was keen to explain how the club believe such a trip will benefit the stars of the future.

Roscoe told Liverpoolfc.tv: "We spoke with Damien Comolli and agreed that we would do something a bit different with the reserves this season.

"This involved not just concentrating on the football side of things but also taking time out to focus on other areas of life.

"There is a whole package to being a footballer and we want the lads to understand this. Going from U18s to reserves involves more pressure both and off the pitch.

"So what we wanted to do was to bring experts in from various areas so that they could speak to the players about what they could do to maximise their chances of conducting themselves professionally on and off the field."

The programme involved insightful presentations on finance, alcoholism and drug abuse.

This was followed by some media training, as well as talks on internet safety and sexual health.

Roscoe continued: "It was quite extensive. Frank McParland kicked it off and discussed what he wanted from the players and how the Academy was changing and improving.

"Damien (Comolli) then wrapped the whole thing up by concluding with what is required of them if they want to become Liverpool's first-team players of the future.

"I was delighted with the overall success of the trip and I'd like to think every single player will take something from it.

"It was a great chance to get them away from the training field and put them into a room where they would be involved in important talks about life skills."

The experts who took part in the programme also gave the event their thumbs up.

Peter Kay of Sporting Chance clinic: What Liverpool FC delivered to their players should be held as a beacon to all clubs to follow. The fluidity of the two day programme and the quality was of a standard that one would associate with a top club such as this. Sporting Chance were proud and honored to be part of such a professional assembly of talent, experience and knowledge. Our lifestyle seminar is about awareness and education for players, showing them through our experience the possible negative ramifications of bad choices. It is not anti drinking, gambling or a diatribe warning of impending doom if a player has a bet or a drink. By the fact that the players were respectful, attentive and contributory for an hour indicates to me the quality of the leaders, managers, coaches and educationalists within the club. Sporting Chance thanks Liverpool FC for the opportunity to contribute to such a worthwhile event.

Matthew Himsworth of Schillings: We live in a different age from Bill Shankly discussing tactics with Joe Fagan in the Bootroom. No longer are reputations only made or lost on the pitch. Playing for Liverpool brings a great focus from the media, fans, bloggers and social media users across the world. It was invaluable to be able to discuss in a relaxed environment, what a good reputation means and the implications of making a silly mistake. The fact the club have invested in such an innovative programme of education for its players is a testimony to its forward-thinking and the value it places in the good name of Liverpool.

Desmond Mayer of St James place: I feel the players will now have a better understanding of the importance of the appropriate financial advice required on building capital, managing cash and borrowing, and protecting wealth against risk. We are able to provide a relationship founded on mutual respect and trust, with the emphasis on building and maintaining a long-term relationship. The players will have exclusive access to our distinctive investment management and now have a clearer understanding of financial planning as well as the importance of making provision for their future. 

Paul Mountford of Merseyside Police: We recognise the important role that Liverpool Football Club plays in communities across Merseyside and the influence that their players can have on thousands of football fans. This is why the road safety event was a great opportunity for police officers to speak to a group of young drivers and future drivers about staying safe on the roads. We discussed important issues such as speeding, drink driving and using mobile phones. We believe that it is important that the players are fully aware about road safety, for their own safety, that of their family and friends as well as other road users. It was reassuring to see that the players clearly understood that their behaviour, both in and out of a car, reflects on themselves as well as the club but that they also recognised it could influence the behaviour of many young fans. Thousands of young people are killed and seriously injured on the roads of the U.K every year. We look forward to working with the club in the future in our continued drive to improve road safety in Merseyside.

Andrew Penn of the FA: The FA recognises the importance of educating players in relation to dealing with agents and our presentation focused upon this. We also gave a brief talk to the players on the introduction of the FA's new rules in relation to betting and their professional responsibilities. Events such as this are an important part of the education process in the early stages of a player's professional career, providing a wealth of information to assist them, not only as young professional footballers, but also in their day-to-day lives and as role models to others.

Tim Blackstone of NHS Liverpool Community Health: The programme for the two days looked pretty comprehensive, covering a range of issues which are likely to have a positive impact upon the welfare of the young players. I think the main messages from my presentation involved understanding what sexual health actually is and that it's just as much about your wellbeing, confidence and self esteem, as preventing unplanned pregnancies and avoiding sexually transmitted infections. I really just wanted the young players to understand that sex and relationships are just part of growing up and life in general. There might be some additional pressures on them as professional footballers but there are still services out there to help them lead as normal a life as possible.

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