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Writer's pictureJames Donnelly

Player Case Study: Cameron's Journey to Enhanced Speed, Strength, and Fitness

Updated: Nov 14


Player Overview:


  • Age: 12

  • Location: Australia

  • Current Level: Playing at an amateur club, in U13's and U14's

  • Position: CAM, CM, CDM, CB, RB

  • Ultimate Career Dream: To play for Bayern Munich


Initial Goals: Cameron joined the Matchfit programme with the primary goal of improving his strength, speed, and stamina. His 6-month goals focused on becoming stronger and fitter, with the long-term aim of playing for a rep team and trialling for the state team. Additionally, Cameron wanted to enhance his technical skills and physical abilities to support his leadership and ball control on the pitch.


Initial Situation: Before joining the programme, Cameron was playing at an amateur level but struggling with speed and strength, which were holding him back despite his solid technical skills and leadership qualities. For over a year, these challenges impacted his ability to compete physically on the pitch, particularly in terms of pace. As a complete beginner to strength training, Cameron saw the programme as an opportunity to build the physical foundation needed to elevate his game.


Reasons for Joining Matchfit: Cameron’s family chose the Matchfit programme primarily due to the knowledge and experience of coach James. They valued the personalised approach, which focused on building Cameron’s strength and conditioning, technical skills, and overall understanding of the game. The family was confident that the programme would address Cameron’s key physical weaknesses.


Improvements Observed: Over the first 90 days of the programme, Cameron made impressive improvements across multiple areas of fitness:


  • Strength: Cameron’s max press-ups improved by 100%, and his max plank time increased by a remarkable 140%, demonstrating substantial gains in upper body and core strength. His max wall sit time also improved by 28.33%, reflecting enhanced lower body endurance.


  • Speed and Agility: Cameron’s 10m sprint speed improved by 30.67%, and his T-Test agility score improved by 35.25%. His 505 agility test times saw improvements, with a 15.09% increase on the left side and 12.39% on the right. His 30m flying sprint time improved by 18.91%, highlighting gains in acceleration and straight-line speed.


  • Overall Performance: Cameron’s broad jump improved by 21.67%, indicating better lower body explosiveness. His stamina and endurance saw a massive 66.67% improvement, allowing him to maintain his energy levels for longer periods during matches.


Here's a visual summary of Camerons progress:



Performance Changes: Cameron’s increased speed and strength had a noticeable impact on his performance in matches. He became faster to the challenge, frequently putting himself in a position to win the ball and dominate games. His newfound physicality enabled him to outperform opponents in key moments, and his confidence on and off the pitch significantly improved. He was awarded "Man of the Match" nine times this season, selected for several academy squads, including the prestigious Melbourne Victory Academy, and was also scouted by an NPL club.


Confidence and Mentality: Cameron’s confidence grew as his physical improvements translated into match performance. His ability to handle setbacks improved, and his mental preparation before games became stronger. His mother noted that his mindset and motivation had greatly improved, which helped him stay focused and push himself to become the best player he could be.


Programme Flexibility: The programme’s ability to complement Cameron’s club training without taking excessive time each day was a significant benefit. The structured, results-oriented approach kept him engaged and allowed him to track his progress, encouraging his commitment to personal development.


Player’s Perspective: Cameron appreciated the fact that the programme didn't require long hours but still delivered substantial results. He understood that talent alone isn’t enough and that consistent hard work was the key to his success, which the programme helped instill in him.


Hypothetical Scenario Without Matchfit: Without the Matchfit programme, Cameron would likely have continued struggling with his speed and agility. His physical development would have been slower, and his chances of being selected for the multiple squads he was chosen for this season, including the Melbourne Victory Academy, would have been significantly reduced.


Conclusion: Cameron’s journey through the Matchfit programme has led to dramatic improvements in speed, strength, agility, and endurance—all within just 90 days. His physical transformation, particularly in speed and strength, has also been described as "insane" by his mother. As Cameron continues his training, he is well on his way to achieving his goals of trialling for the state team and playing for a rep team. The foundations he has built during the first 90 days suggest that he is positioned to continue making strides in his football career.


Click below if you'd like more details about the training programme that Cameron has been following:



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Guest
Sep 11

💪 Go Cam

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