ALL NOVEL Chapter 18: Final assessment preparation
The semester assessment is a traditional part of Ajax's youth training. Every year, two assessment tests are organized to evaluate the competitive status and abilities of the players. The five players with the worst assessment results in each age group are eliminated each semester, and newcomers are added during the reorganization of the new semester.
Strict rating standards, a high dropout rate, and the constant influx of new talent make Ajax highly competitive for all age groups. Every player must strive to improve and meet the team's requirements. Even after screening and elimination, only one of the six players in the highest age group can sign a professional contract with the club and join the Ajax second team. If they fail to meet the requirements of the first team, they are forced to leave. It is precisely because of this almost brutal competition mechanism that Ajax has a very high success rate. Ninety-five percent of the players who pass the assessment go on to play professionally, although not necessarily for Ajax.
Almere has adopted Ajax's complete youth training mechanisms, including semester assessments. However, due to the level of development of their youth team and the challenges in player recruitment, they conduct only one assessment test each year and eliminate only three players. Even so, this has increased the pressure on everyone in the team.
In the past, Yang Yang was the most likely candidate for elimination, but over the past month, with his outstanding performance—especially in the last four games—he has become an indispensable and important member of the youth team. Passing the assessment now seems almost certain for him. There are even rumors that first-team coach Johnny Rep is planning to bring several outstanding students, including Yang Yang and Henk Dimer, into the first team for the new season to train and compete with them. Yang Yang has secured his position, but the competition within the team has intensified. The elimination quota has risen from two to three, causing any players at risk to feel more pressure.
Since regular training is also included in the evaluation results, everyone works hard on the training ground. Sometimes, the tackles are inevitably too aggressive, and even during training, there's always a competitive atmosphere. Johnny Rep and Dick Vanpoer watch the training in silence from the sidelines, neither of them stopping it. According to them, the team's previous training atmosphere was too relaxed. Now, with their places in the team on the line, this kind of training is what they consider real training.
"Based on his recent performance, Yang Yang passing the assessment shouldn't be a problem," Dick Vanpoer said with satisfaction.
In the last four games, Helen Parkhurst has won three and lost one, losing only to city rivals Flevoland. Yang Yang has performed very well in these games and is one of the main reasons for the team's three-match winning streak. The head coach was very pleased with him, considering him a key contributor.
"His school grade is the best in the team, and even at Helen Parkhurst School, he is a top student. Speed, flexibility, explosiveness, and stamina are not issues for him. His one-on-one offense and defense are also among the best on the team, and his psychological resilience is strong."
Dick Vanpoer hadn't fully realized it until now, but this introduction highlighted many of Yang Yang's desirable advantages.
"The biggest problem at the moment is his basic skills, such as shooting, passing, and first touch."
The evaluation is divided into three parts: training and match records are usually evaluated by the coaching staff, and the final test is also marked by the coaching staff for each player's specific skills. The projects and evaluation standards are derived from Ajax, comprising ten small projects in total. After each small project has been evaluated, the coaching staff summarizes and assesses the results, ultimately providing an evaluation score. This score is combined with the usual training and competition records to give an overall score. The top three players will be rewarded and will represent Almere at Ajax's talent day, while the three players with the lowest scores will be forced to leave the Almere youth team.
Johnny Rep nodded slightly after listening to Vanpoer's report, which aligned with his latest assessment.
As a well-known right winger in Europe, he is becoming increasingly interested in Yang Yang, who plays on the right like him, mainly because his progress over the past month has been astonishingly rapid. Although his basic skills are still not very good, barely meeting the youth team's passing standards, he has become increasingly adept at using step-overs and feints. In the last few inter-school games, nobody could stop him. This surprised Johnny Rep, but he also saw Yang Yang's potential.
At only sixteen years old, with his current momentum and hard work in training, Yang Yang might truly surprise people.
"There are still a few days before the assessment; you have to be well prepared," Johnny Rep warned cautiously.
"This time, in addition to the municipality of Almere and some of our long-term partners, I have also invited a world-class footballer to come in person. He is not usually easy to invite, but this time he agreed. In the Netherlands and with Ajax's influence, we have to show the results of our youth training."
Dick Vanpoer nodded solemnly, but he was curious. Given Johnny Rep's stature within Ajax and the Netherlands, even he finds it difficult to invite this person. Who could it be?
But the head coach did not want to reveal anything in advance, so it was not easy to ask him.
"After the training session, tell them that the three best players will not only get the opportunity to go to Ajax for the talent day, but the club will also formally sign a professional contract with them, and they will join the first team in the new season."
Almere is at a critical juncture in their quest for promotion to the Eerste Divisie. If they succeed in getting promoted, a place in the first team would mean a chance to play in the Dutch top flight. This is a huge temptation for any player.
Even if the club does not make it to the second division, playing in the third division next season would still be a significant improvement.
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When Dick Vanpoer announced the head coach's promise after the training session, the team's spirits soared even higher.
Henk Dimer, leading a group of key players who consistently stood out, became especially motivated by the coach's enticing offer.
Yang Yang was equally driven, determined to secure a spot. His ambition wasn't just to earn a professional contract and play in the first team; it was also about fulfilling his dream to meet his idol, Van Basten. Ever since he first glimpsed the majestic Amsterdam Arena, Yang Yang had fantasized about meeting Van Basten and competing alongside Ajax's top players. He yearned to measure himself against the best in the world, and the challenge ahead only fueled his determination.
In the days that followed, there was no competition at Helen Parkhurst as Yang Yang trained relentlessly, day and night. With Uncle Shen Ming's understanding and support, he focused solely on preparing for his upcoming assessment, setting aside even his duties at the family restaurant except for school.
Throughout the day, whether at the skate park or in the Dream Training System, Yang Yang tirelessly honed his skills, never allowing himself to slack off.
Finally, the morning of the assessment arrived. It was a rare sunny day with a clear blue sky, as if painted just for this moment.
Following Zax's advice, Yang Yang, still brimming with energy after a night of intense training, reduced his skate park sessions that morning to ensure he was in peak condition. After checking the time, he briskly made his way to the training pitch.
The atmosphere in the changing room was notably subdued. Everyone was busy adjusting their shirts and boots, with little conversation filling the air. When Yang Yang entered, all eyes turned towards him. Many gazes held a mix of complexity, while Henk Dimer and his group nodded in friendly acknowledgement. Clearly, they didn't see Yang Yang as a threat for one of the top three spots.
Just over a month ago, Yang Yang had been regarded as the team's weakest player. There were doubts whether he could make significant progress in such a short time, despite his dedicated training efforts. Improving basic skills takes time, and while Yang Yang's progress was impressive, catching up to players like Henk Dimer, who had been training rigorously for nearly a decade, seemed impossible.
Yang Yang understood this reality but remained determined to give his best effort. He could sense the reluctance, envy, and perhaps even resentment from some teammates who might face elimination. It saddened him, but he recognized that competitiveness was crucial for the team's survival. Even if Coach Johnny Rep showed leniency, those left behind would struggle to keep pace with the team's evolving standards and the same principle applied to him.
As Yang Yang pulled on his shirt and boots and exited the changing room, he spotted Dick Vanpoer offering encouragement to each player as they passed by. When Yang Yang approached, Vanpoer smiled and added a few words of support.
"Mr. Rep mentioned that you need to keep working hard and give it your all. He believes you can earn a spot on the team."
"Thank you, Mr. Rep," Yang Yang replied gratefully.
"He also said that if you pass the assessment and maintain this level of progress, the team will offer you a professional contract for the new season and consider you for the first team. Don't let him down."
"I understand," Yang Yang nodded.
Despite Johnny Rep and Dick Vanpoer's outward optimism, Yang Yang could feel their skepticism regarding his ability to distinguish himself during the evaluation. Their need to make promises in advance hinted at their reservations. However, rather than discourage him, their doubts only fueled Yang Yang's determination to prove himself. He was resolute in demonstrating that the month of intense training, with all its sweat and effort, had not been in vain.