Junior Shield
CARNINY AFC COACHES WELCOMED BY LEEDS UNITED.
Carniny Amateur & Youth FC continued with their Coach Development programme when two current Under 10 coaches travelled across to the Pride of Yorkshire last week at the invitation of Leeds United FC. The visit to the famous club’s Academy was arranged by the Ballymena ‘Reds’ development officer Mr Bob Mullan formerly of Leicester City FC and now settled in the Seven Towers.
Current Under-10 coaches Davy Leetch and Eddie McHenry were the two club representatives who travelled across to take up the offer and both agreed the three day trip was an invaluable experience. The pair were welcomed and hosted on the visit by Darrell Pugh, the Leeds United Academy assistant manager.
During the trip the coaches were shown round the impressive Academy facilities which were very professional and included 10 full sized pitches (outdoors) 1 full sized indoor 3G, a complete gym and physio centre, a full sized swimming pool and recruitment department. The academy caters for youth trainees from the age of 6 to 18. The pair were lucky enough to see all the age groups train including the 1st team and learned some new coaching methods and techniques and also made some invaluable contacts with the academy coaches.
They were also introduced to Steve Holmes head of recruitment and development at the Academy who gave them an insight into scouting and selection for the Academy. Leeds United aim to continue the link with the two clubs when they invited Carniny back to see the various age groups compete against other Academies. Both Eddie and Davy would like to pass on their thanks to Carniny and Bob Mullan for the opportunity.
This visit adds to the those which have already taken place this season to Liverpool, Ipswich Town, Port Vale and Leicester City, where positive relationships have been created and have led to arrangements being forged to take some of the teams from the Carniny club over to England as part of their pre season preparations. Next in line will be coaches from the clubs IFA approved Football Development Centre who have been invited to participate in the Football in the Community Scheme at Nottingham Forest FC again set up by Bob who is in constant contact with his former associates on the mainland.
It is hoped that such positive moves will attract not only quality players but may interest persons with a view to attaining the necessary coaching qualifications required and provided at the club. Any person interested should check out the club’s website at www.carninyyouthfc.co.uk for contact details.
