Archives
[Interview] A Creative Mind
It is in that moment of truth that Pierre Portelli wants to prevail.
As a book designer he has to handle various aspects of a book’s production. “Together with the publishing team at Merlin, I am involved in most of the book production process,” he tells me “which includes the fonts used, paragraph spacing and overall layout.” All of which is important but nowhere close to the value of getting the book cover right. “Research shows that you don’t have minutes to convince a book buyer; people make their mind up within seconds of picking up a book. So we have to make something that stands out and convinces people.”
The full interview with Pierre Portelli can be found on Snapshots of Malta.
[Interview] Creativity In Perpetual Motion
Whether this is a discussion in which she has been involved before or not, Lisa Falzon puts forward an argument that is very much along those lines when she has to answer question over her development as an artist.
“There was no spark of interest particular to me as if I was born with a special talent - all kids draw,” she states. “All children draw if given a set of crayons, one of the first thing they figure out is fun to do - after eating them - is using them to leave a mark somewhere. A lot of childhood play is based around make-believe and on-the-fly creativity and role playing.”
She then goes on to turn the tables. “I just never grew out of this interest in self-expression. Instead of asking me why I draw I should ask you, why did you stop drawing?”
The full interview with Lisa Falzon can be found on Snapshots of Malta.
[Interview] Writing for All Generations
“Whenever I’m writing, regardless of whether it is a full length novel or a short story,” she explains. “I have to do a lot of research. If I’m writing about someone who is into beekeeping then I have to learn about that hobby. So before I write that story I go out and research about beekeeping even if most of what I learn doesn’t make it into the story. That knowledge gives depth to the characters and that knowledge remains with you.”
The full interview with Rita Saliba can be read on Snapshots of Malta.
[Featured Article] Twitter Feedback June 2017
Great piece about a player who had so much potential— Hugh Larkin (@Hughl60Hugh) June 2, 2017
Remember well when he first broke through, great player. Should have had a great career, terrible loss.— Giancarlo Rinaldi (@ginkers) June 2, 2017
Wonderful piece by @paul_grech @GentlemanUltra on Andrea Fortunato, who's life & career was cut tragically short https://t.co/KXWBkSCYT9— Bardi (@BardiTFC) June 2, 2017
I had no idea about this https://t.co/ECOJ6SVWhm— mmmmmmm (@MarlonBowman) June 3, 2017
You do have a way with words, mate. This is an excellent, touching piece.— Paquito (パキトー) - Ⓥ (@pakito_tweets) June 4, 2017
Wonderful tribute to Andrea Fortunato by @paul_grech. https://t.co/qTlBsZWPdP— Paquito (パキトー) - Ⓥ (@pakito_tweets) June 4, 2017
I hope you find the story as engrossing and as moving as I did. Some of it is quite astonishing.— David Bolchover (@DavidBolchover) June 5, 2017
[Featured Article] Twitter Feedback May 2017
Feyenoord are champions: first title since 99. Here is why: https://t.co/YNWBpKCFni great article by @paul_grech
— Jim McDonald (@redjim73) May 14, 2017
Great read gaffer @webblyhead https://t.co/6chTGMhjNt
— Kevin Simpson (@KevinSi53568559) May 15, 2017
[Interview] Fuzzhoneys in the UK
“Femmetastic has been a word we have been using since the launch of CD Tal-Ġenn,” Caroline Spiteri, one half of the duo, said as she spoke about the name of the tour. “It stuck out for us and we wanted it to stick to us so much that we wrote a song to interpret what the word meant to us.”
[Featured Article] Twitter Feedback April 2017
ICYMI: Paul asked some of the best goalkeeping questions I've ever been asked. https://t.co/A9cTYOhb0K— Justin Bryant (@Keepers_Union) April 19, 2017
@paul_grech @coachtonymee @webblyhead @PeterPrickett @timlees10 @JonnyHenderson @GavLevey @TPiMBW @ground_guru @Completekeeper @LouisLancs Enjoyed this read, particularly the elements of the mental side & this quote! pic.twitter.com/eJ4fWhKOGo
— Andy (@andyjw10) April 26, 2017
Technique is everything! https://t.co/IGW9bXqGTn
— Mitchell Sowerby (@msowerby94) May 4, 2017
[Interview] A Goalkeeper's Life: Influence, Anxiety & Normality
And yet, for those called to the role, there is nothing better. “I wanted a better chance to influence whether my team won or lost,” says Justin Bryant a former professional goalkeeper, current goalkeeper coach and author of the book 'Small Time: A Life in the Football Wilderness.'
”When I was a young player, I got tired of losing games because whoever had reluctantly gone in goal kept letting the ball dribble through his hands. After that happened two or three times, I volunteered, and never looked back.”
The full interview can be read on Blueprint for Football.
[Featured Article] Twitter Feedback March 2017
Great read, one that all Academy coaches would, no doubt, support. https://t.co/Zy9bhmiEiu
— Tony Mee (@coachtonymee) March 9, 2017
Interesting read. Bias in favour of experience over ability. Putting faith in young players/coaches can reap huge reward! #LeapOfFaith https://t.co/8KykYhChpL
— Keelan Hamilton (@KeelanHamilton7) March 9, 2017
@Duffy1867 this may be of interest to you. https://t.co/Dho0qmiztB
— Mike Leigh (@MikeyRaveyGravy) March 12, 2017
https://t.co/Mjw6BuPuR2 pic.twitter.com/WDILH0aiOs
— Steve Bonello (@ummima1) March 14, 2017
[Interview] A Passion For Technical Coaching
The full interview can be read on Blueprint for Football.
[Interview] The Training Requires Disciplines and Focus
Sometimes, however, they make a different choice. Dario Mangion is a case in point although his story is not that straightforward.
The full article can be read on Snapshots of Malta.
[Featured Article] Fusing fine art and documentation
It is this belief that has resulted in the Blitz Residency Programme. “It was created to facilitate a long-term, international artistic cultural exchange, while fortifying our role as cultural incubator and advocate organisation for contemporary art practice in Malta,” explains Nicole Bearman, programme director at the Valletta-based art space Blitz.
[Blogging] Books As The Antidote
[Featured Article] Twitter Feedback November 2016 till February 2017
— valdir bardi (@bardigkcoach) December 27, 2016
@paul_grech Amazing story. Thanks for sharing.— billshankly (@williamshankly) December 28, 2016
Another great read https://t.co/JcddnBRwNb— Vishal (@Ebaah) December 29, 2016
Hockey and soccer are very closely related and here is more evidence https://t.co/9NW4VicPIC— Justin Murray (@ShawvilleMurray) December 29, 2016
Just read through my part in this. A lot changes in a few years!! ⚽👊🏼 https://t.co/7v0Hm8mWjB— ⚽Learning The Game⚽ (@LTGfootball) January 25, 2017
On this Holocaust Remembrance Day, I would like to share with you the story of Ferdinando Valletti, by @paul_grech.https://t.co/qb8j8pjzDu pic.twitter.com/X2hxOK7eum— Franco Ficetola (@Franco92C14) January 27, 2017
From the San Siro to Gusen. Writer @paul_grech tells the story of Ferdinando Valletti. https://t.co/Sjf2YNLfW5 #HolocaustRemembrance— Matthew Santangelo (@Matt_Santangelo) January 27, 2017
From the San Siro to Gusen. @paul_grech tells the story of Ferdinando Valletti. https://t.co/t3UFIEKnwR #HolocaustRemembrance @acmilan pic.twitter.com/mWwcPsusXB— Milan Brothers (@ACMilanBros) January 27, 2017
24 hours on from Barcelona's stuffing in Paris .@Paul_Grech looks at the problems at La Masia: from Issue 13 of TFP https://t.co/WTduu51rP2— The Football Pink (@TheFootballPink) February 15, 2017
Worth a look. Bedtime reading. https://t.co/qVrCt85Wve— Brighton Futsal (@BrightonFutsal) February 19, 2017
Thanks Paul for your interest in me and your passion for football https://t.co/IIWAGYSjJn— Ismael Díaz Galán (@Ismael_dg) February 21, 2017
Fine work by @paul_grech on the story of Antonio Sibilia; the Commendatore who took Avellino to Serie A - albeit not w/out usual controversy pic.twitter.com/UhacuUdWed— The Gentleman Ultra (@GentlemanUltra) February 22, 2017
[Interview] Femmetastic
This was not such an interview; in fact it was quite the opposite. The two young women who sat opposite me in a café in Naxxar exuded confidence and both were extremely eloquent in their replies. Caroline Spiteri and Francesca Mercieca, who perform together under the name Fuzzhoneys, are two musicians who know their mind and don’t shy away from expressing it.
So it was a bit of a surprise when Francesca admitted that she can suffer from nerves when she has to perform. Which, given that she is the lead singer, can something of a problem.
“During live performances I get so excited, there is so much adrenalin flowing, that sometimes I have to look at videos of our gigs to really appreciate what went on.”
[Featured Article] Antonio Sibilia: Avellino's Unique and Unforgettable Commander
All their troubled thoughts, however, could hardly have prepared them for the sight that greeted them as they entered the stadium, where a row of crosses stretching from one goal to the other had been planted on the pitch overnight.
"The coach is the most disposable element in a football team."
Fueling this culture are coaches who bring the ideology to life. Ismael Díaz Galán is typical of this class. His experiences might have been limited largely outside the Primera Liga but he is a deep thinker about the game and a keen educator who is eager to share the vision that lights up Spanish football.
Getting Players to Think
Beane began working with Cruyff in the foundation of the Cruyff Institute – an educational institution aimed at educating athletes, sport and business professionals in the field of sport management - in 2002 and continued his work there until Johan’s passing last year.
As a player he had played professionally in the United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues (USISL) in America and, before that, he had also played NCAA Division I football at Dartmouth College. Eventually he transitioned into coaching where he obtained the US Soccer Federation “A” License, coaching both collegiately and professionally.
His other main calling was teaching where he has enjoyed an academic career in a number of institutes having obtained an M.A. in Education and a Secondary Teaching Credential from Stanford University.
More recently, Beane has set up TOVO Training which is a program aimed at developing players’ competencies, cognition and character through game-based exercises. Using the knowledge that he has gained over the years and which typically is available to players at the top academies, he now wants to pass this on to those who wouldn’t normally have access to such knowledge.
On top of it all, Beane wants to get football players thinking on their game: the trait that often marked out Cruyff’s teams and players.