A8 Player Performance, established in East Sussex in 2023 by Thierry Messi and Ben Brooke, is a leading provider of junior and youth sports programs. Driven by a profound passion for sports, fundamental movement, and long-term player development, A8 offers a comprehensive approach to athletic training.
Leveraging extensive coaching experience across diverse settings, from Premier League Category 1 academies to grassroots clubs and educational institutions, Messi and Brooke deliver expert instruction rooted in both competitive and inclusive sports principles. Their combined expertise ensures a high-quality, developmentally appropriate training environment for all participants.
A8 recognises the concerning trend of premature specialisation in youth sports. Emphasizing a return to foundational movement skills, the organization prioritizes movement variety as a cornerstone of its training philosophy. This approach fosters well-rounded athletes, minimises injury risk, and encourages exploration across a range of sporting disciplines.
A8's coaching philosophy centers on athletic development and movement literacy, translating directly into enhanced player performance. The organization's specialised movement literacy program cultivates athletic capacity that is transferable to both individual and team sports.
The A8 curriculum utilises a game-based approach designed to engage aspiring young players and athletes with significant performance potential. This method promotes active learning, skill acquisition, and a genuine enjoyment of sports participation.
For aspiring players aged U6 - U14.
Monday 7th July - Friday 11th July 2025
Monday 14th July - Friday 18th July 2025
Monday 21st July - Friday 25th July 2025
Monday 28th July - Friday 1st August 2025
Forest Row Recreational Grounds
We develop speed through focused training on running mechanics and acceleration. Our program helps young athletes improve their ability to move quickly and efficiently, emphasizing proper technique to maximize their potential on the field or court.
Our agility and coordination training enhances footwork, change of direction, and overall body control. We use various exercises to improve reaction times and spatial awareness, helping athletes navigate complex movements with precision.
We build power by focusing on explosive strength development. Our program emphasizes safe and effective exercises to help athletes generate force quickly, improving their ability to perform powerful movements in their sport.
Our balance training enhances stability and helps prevent injuries. We use exercises that challenge both static and dynamic balance, improving core stability and body awareness.
We focus on building functional strength through age-appropriate exercises. Our program emphasises proper form and technique, providing a solid foundation for future athletic development.
We improve reactivity by training athletes to respond quickly to stimuli. Our program incorporates drills that challenge reaction time and decision-making speed, enhancing their ability to react effectively in game situations.
We develop both endurance and high-intensity performance capacity through targeted training. Our program helps athletes maintain peak performance throughout competitions, improving their cardiovascular fitness.
We emphasize developing sports insight and tactical awareness alongside physical skills. Our program incorporates scenarios that enhance strategic thinking and decision-making, helping athletes understand the game better.