Coaching representatives from Scottish soccer powerhouse Celtic FC visited Bathurst on Saturday, giving boys and girls of all ages a chance to learn from one of the sport’s most decorated clubs.
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Celtic FC are renowned all across Europe and the world, being one of the most successful teams, the home of current Socceroo star Tom Rogic and coached by ex-Liverpool FC manager Brendan Rodgers.
The Celtic FC International Academy clinic allowed the opportunity for players to learn the skills of the Glasgow-based club
Martin Docherty and Craig Charmers worked young soccer players through their paces on the weekend at Proctor Park, with participants learning technical skills such as receiving the ball, passing, moving, awareness, control, finishing and ball mastery.
The day was attended by 65 keen footballers and there was little time for talking during training according to tour manager Doug McKenzie.
“The kids where really worked out,” McKenzie said.
“The feedback was really good and the parents where very thankful for the coaches.”
Plans to bring the Celtic coaching clinic to Bathurst have been in the works for almost five months and the town is the first stop in the clinic’s tour.
McKenzie said some of the participants play for the Western NSW Mariners, but many footballers where from local clubs in the Bathurst region.
I like to give a special mention to the BDF committee, who showed a lot of support for the clinic.
- Tour manager Doug McKenzie
“For the local kids, it makes a big difference to when a parent is coaching,” McKenzie.
“What you do at a lower level is capable of making a difference when a player gets to a higher level.
“What I have observed is that players are not taught how to defend properly.
“The challenges we got them to do where not complicated, but did test them and they learned the Celtic turn and to attack and defend.”
Proctor Park has been blighted by wet weather this year, but the fields held up well from recent rainfalls, meaning the clinic occurred without disruption.
McKenzie was impressed by the involvement that the Bathurst District Football (BDF) showed in promotion and support for the clinic.
“I like to give a special mention to the BDF committee, who showed a lot of support for the clinic,” McKenzie said.
“It would not have been possible to get this many participants along without them.”
After taking the day off on Sunday, the Celtic clinic will travel to a sold out clinic of 175 in Taree on the NSW north coast on Monday.
