Last Sunday a host of coaches and aspiring young footballers in Alice Springs were treated to a visit from Reds Head Coach Josep Gombau.
Last Sunday a host of coaches and aspiring young footballers in Alice Springs were treated to a visit from Reds Head Coach Josep Gombau.
Gombau spent a day with local coaches and players in Alice Springs as part of the club-s partnership with the NT Government and Football in Central Australia (FICA).
Together with CEO Glenn Elliott and General Manager – Football Operations Michael Petrillo, Gombau-s 24-hour visit comprised of a presentation to 16 local coaches plus two practical training sessions with Alice Springs based NTC U-14 and U-16 payers.
From once teaching and educating young players about the World Game at FC Barcelona to now sharing his football philosophy in the middle of Australia, it was a unique opportunity, both for Gombau to venture to one of Australia-s renowned tourist regions, and also for the football fraternity in Alice Springs to hear and learn from someone of the Spaniard-s credentials and experience.
In his coaching presentation, Gombau covered strategies for developing kids from ages 6-16, while also giving insights into basic coaching practices and methods. This was followed by a 90 minute practical training session with the pick of young players currently in the NTC program. Soaking up the chance to train under the watchful eye of the Reds- Head Coach, the kids were determined to impress, even in the 39 degree heat.
Such was the enjoyment and education of what was originally supposed to be just one session, Gombau agreed to hold a further session on Monday morning prior to departing home at the request of the local players and coaches, much to their delight and appreciation.
“I was delighted to be able to go to Alice Springs and I enjoyed it a lot,” Gombau said.
“Coming from coaching youth teams I like the chance to develop kids and I enjoy working with the coaches and the players.”
“In the two sessions we had it was really nice because the improvement they showed in just two days was very good and it changed their idea in terms of ways to play a game.”
“They concentrate hard, listen, they want to work and they asked us when we will come again to work with them because they were excited for the experience.”
“I enjoyed it a lot because to work with kids, you see improvement, you see that they want to learn, they play football because they love it.”
“The people there were very friendly and I look forward to going back again.”
The visit is just a taste of the ties that are certain to continue growing between Adelaide United and the ‘Red Centre-.
“From our perspective, to be involved in promoting football to such an appreciative group of volunteers who are responsible for the code in Alice Springs is really satisfying,” Elliott said.
“To see kids playing football and receiving expert tuition is rewarding and truly worthwhile.”
Adelaide United is committed to playing a pre season game in Alice Springs against a NT Select XI in both 2014 and 2015.
Photo by Justin Brierty courtesy of The Centralian Advocate