A GROUP of 47 young football hopefuls from St Andrew’s Anglican College and surrounding schools have spent part of their school holidays developing skills under an English Premier League football club.
Coaches and staff from the West Bromwich Albion football team worked with elite players between the ages of 9 and 14 this week as part of a Talent Identification camp.
West Bromwich Albion Senior Football Development Officer Adrian Dove said the club’s aim was to strengthen skills and identify potential new players in five camps held across Australia.
“We look at a number of different things – the technical side and how they play the game, their tactical skills and also the social skills of players and how they work in a team,” Mr Dove said.
However, Year 7 St Andrew’s student Lachlan Lumb said it wasn’t all work and no play.
“They have been teaching us new skills while still making it fun – I’ve learnt heaps about using both feet more often and how to play ‘on’ and ‘off’ the ball,” he said.
“I wanted to take part in this to know more about the game and I think I will take these skills away with me.”
St Andrew’s Head of Sport, Steve Robson, said the camps provided students an opportunity to go bigger and better with football.
“The professionalism and quality of coaching has been fantastic and we are delighted that this will become a regular feature of the sporting calendar for St Andrew’s Football,” Mr Robson said.
One player from the five Australian camps will be selected to take part in a DB Sports Tours International Football Camp in Barcelona, Spain.
