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Fri, Mar

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CHILDREN FROM California and Dow Village were kept busy for two weeks when Central FC held a free coaching clinic at the Caldrac Ground. The clinic attracted more than two dozen local youngsters including children of employees of Phoenix Park Gas Processors Limited (PPGPL).

Central FC’s Director of Women Football and Youth Development, George Romano, explained, “the clinic originally began as a one-day session for children of employees working at PPGPL.

The company has been extremely supportive with our women’s programme, including our recent All Female Football Camp.

As a thank you for the support of Phoenix Park Gas Processors Ltd, we suggested holding an exclusive one-day coaching clinic for their employee’s children.”

Romano said that while the preparations were being made, it was suggested that the clinic be extended to include local children and become a five-day event.

“However,” said Romano, “after the third day we were attracting more children and several parents asked if we could continue into the following week. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, PPGPL and SIS and the superb support given by Caldrac Cricket club, we decided to add a second week.”

The clinic was designed to be a basic introduction to football coaching with an emphasis on fun.

“We taught the children some basic exercises, ensuring they spent as much time with a ball at their feet as possible. For many, it was their first experience of a coaching school. At times, we tend to forget that football is a fun sport. There is too much emphasis on children playing to win.

“We like to keep the pressure off the youngsters and instead focus on individual ball skills which allow the children to set their own goals and give them a sense of achievement, whatever skill level they are at. Of course, we are keen to identify young prodigies for our youth programmes, but for most children, football gives them a chance to get some exercise and fresh air in a safe environment.”

Central FC managing director Brent Sancho said, “we have been asked many times to hold a coaching school in the heart of our community, but up to now we have worked in the Chaguanas area at Presentation College.

There is a strong community football network in California including a regular coaching school and we didn’t want to appear to be in competition with them.

“But it was nice to provide this for our friends and neighbours and we would like to continue to hold events here.”

Sancho said that one satisfying aspect of the clinic was that it involved local businesses. “Central FC has had great support from Phoenix Park Gas Processors Ltd over the last two years and, of course, Super Industrial Services has been our club sponsor since inception and has funded many community events. While we have held many events across the Central region, and further afield, it is nice to hold a local event for our own community with the support of local companies such as PPGPL and SIS.”

Romano added, “everyday we’ve had people sitting in the pavilion eating their lunch and watching us work and lots of cars slowing down to take note and giving Central FC a cheer. It’s so nice to be working right in the heart of our community and it was refreshing to me to feel how much this club has become a source of pride to the California people.”