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Free-styling hotshot Tom Vegter will be returning to the kingdom next month to entertain football fanatics with a series of tips and tricks.
The 23-year-old, from The Netherlands, has been travelling the world to showcase his fancy footwork and inspire youngsters.
He stunned a soccer-loving crowd at City Centre Bahrain in 2009 and at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir.
Now he is planning to shake things up at the Tekkers Football Academy event to be staged on November 28-29 at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI) sporting facility during a two-day freestyle football camp.
Vegter said: “I am super excited to be coming back to Bahrain! I had such a good time there. The people were extremely friendly and welcoming. There are just awesome vibes on the island.
“Furthermore, I am really looking forward to meeting the children from the academy. From what I’ve heard, there are some real talents.
“It will be an incredible opportunity for the children and the audience to get acquainted with the art of freestyle football. Hopefully, I will be able to inspire them by showing them that anything is possible if you’ve set your mind to it. Freestyle is all about having fun with each other, practicing your technique, getting better and being creative!”
Vegter is a national record holder for achieving 10 consecutive AMATWs (alternative Mitchy around-the-world) skills, a variation of when a footballer plays the ball off of one foot, and that foot then circles up and over the ball before returning underneath to play the ball again.
He started playing the game at the age of seven in his hometown Groningen where he currently studies Human Movement Sciences at the local university.
Vegter played with the seniors in his hometown’s small soccer club. He says it made him focus more attention on practicing his technique because he had to make sure he was fast and skilful otherwise the older players would simply knock him over.
He said: “When I practiced my techniques, by myself, I felt free and I felt like I could practice like that for hours, so I did. I was always more interested in the tricks.”
Vegter was inspired further when former Brazilian star Ronaldinho teamed up with sports firm Nike for the Joga Bonito advertising campaign highlighting soccer skills.
“I knew that that was going to be my passion,” he explained. “I started practicing more off the field than on it. I posted my video on YouTube and got called up by a big marketing and events agency. I quickly rolled into a world where I could make money and travel doing what I love!” Vegter has since hosted a TV show, performed in Dubai, France, Portugal and Belgium and next year he will be flying out to America.
Deena Rahman and Paul Shipwright, Tekkers founders, believe his freestyle camp will be a great addition to their academy’s development. They originally came across Vegter after he posted a supportive message on their Instagram account.
Bahrain international Rahman said: “We were looking to bring something different to offer players in Bahrain and freestyling is a very inspiring concept in the football world.
“Tom happened to write a supportive message on one of our posts and so we got chatting to him about the possibility of coming to Bahrain. We soon realised that we have the same goals of inspiring youngsters to try new things and be confident to become better players.
“We think having a freestyler will be good for the kids as there are a lot of skills that they can try and master without getting bored. It builds confidence when they learn new skills, they can practice on their own and although you are not likely to always use these skills in an actual match, ball juggling improves your touch, control and comfort on the ball. And, seeing as Tekkers is slang for technique, it is very fitting that we are bringing the concept to the academy.
“Anyone interested can sign up for it. As well as a freestyle show there will be a competition. The competition will give anyone of any age the opportunity to showcase their skills. Tom will give a show of skills followed by entrants having time on the floor to show him what they have. Prizes will be given to the best in different age categories.
“We hope that lots of people, young and old, male and female, will embrace the opportunity to meet Tom and learn some new skills.”
Players who attend the freestyle camp will receive a ticket to the show included in their package. During the competition, Vegter will be keeping a close eye on contestants’ skills and determination. He added: “I will try to find the one who has both the skills and the perseverance. Will he, or she, give up? Or will they push their limits?
“Furthermore, I think it is very important that you are very creative. Can I do this? Or should I add this? How about when I...?! That enthusiasm and creativity is what we’re looking for.”
Vegter also advises youngsters to keep doing what they love and to never stop, no matter what anybody says. He said: “I always got kicked out of soccer practice because they said: ‘why would you practice these tricks? Yeah, they look cool but what can you do with them?’
“Well, look at me now! I am travelling the world doing tricks. I even teach my tricks to the very football players they look up to. There is nothing you can’t do! Have fun, be creative and practice …a lot!
“All you need is a ball. Just pick it up and start having fun. There are no rules, nothing is impossible! Just allow your mind to be creative and free. A fun way to really get into freestyle is to train with others, learn from them and add your own little flavour to it.
“My parents have always been supportive but also placed great emphasis on finishing my education. I am very thankful for them for pushing me to pursue both. This forced me to work hard and manage my time efficiently.
“Besides studying at university, I travel all through the Netherlands and the world performing and training. And I still love it! I love meeting new people and talented players. There is just something about meeting people who share the same passion – you just instantly connect and understand each other’s struggles and victories.”
* For details on Tom and what he is up to next, look him up on Instagram @tomvfreestyle, on Facebook at Tom Vegter and on youtube.com/user/tomvxtv. For information, dates and prices for the Tekkerstyling event and to register, email Tekkersinfo@gmail.com or contact 37709010 or 39319464.
