July 30th, 2012
Last week saw a special preview of this year's Oscar-winning doc, Undefeated at the training site for the coaches of London-based team, The Warriors.
Head Coach, Gerry Anderson suggested screening the film to his fellow coaches. As with the film's inspirational Coach, Bill Courtney, Gerry and his team of volunteers dedicate much of their free time to keeping The Warriors afloat and in good shape, while encouraging kids into sport and off the sreets. After watching the film, Gerry said Undefeated is a film "that all the junior and youth coaches need to watch to remind themselves of what’s important, regardless of the sport they’re coaching."
Armed with Pizza, drinks and stacks of height (American Footballers really are HUGE) The Warriors arrived at the Lilian Baylis Old School, Lambeth, for their preview screening. The derelict school is currently being developed into a Sports Academy with sporting heros such as Usain Bolt investing in its current facilities.
An introduction from Gerry reminded the audience of the film's relevance to coaches who work tirelessly to keep their players in training and their teams in competition. Here are more quotes from the coaches who watched the film.
"There are many films out there that got close to what we go through as a coaching staff year in and year out... this film hits the nail right on the head. Just like the film most of the coaches make huge sacrifices to coach these young men. Most of the coaches live out of London and travel miles just to coach with the Warriors give up a lot of time to coach, scout, game plan, and plan practise session, go to games and coach these young men. Like the film says we don’t just coach football we teach them life skills as well. Responsibility, respect, team work, communication, leadership and much more. The Film depicts why we put up with the bad turn outs, ill discipline, bad, work ethic, etc..etc because the satisfaction of what we get out of it at the end of it all. Well adjusted young men who eventually do the right thing. It’s a first class film, it’s not about the game. So you don’t have to be an American Football fan to watch and appreciate it."
"A brilliant depiction of what some coaches and teams go through year in, year out."
Head over to our Facebook page for more pics from the screening
Undefeated will enjoy one-off UK screenings nationwide 7 August. Find the full list of cinemas playing the film on www.undefeatedfilm.com
