Bonner pleased with camps
QuoteParticipation the key
Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr and FAI Technical Director Packie Bonner were in Salesian College, Celbridge, on Tuesday as part of their ongoing tour of the FAI 7Up Summer Soccer Schools.
The camps, organised by the FAI, continue to go from strength to strength with 15,000 children expected to attend this year's 150 organised camps, where they will receive excellent instructions from qualified coaches in a
friendly environment aimed at encouraging participation.
"It's all about participation," said Bonner. "Many of these kids won't have played organised football and our aim is for them to come out here, really enjoy what they are doing and, hopefully, when it's over, they will want to continue to play.
"But we also cater for children who are already playing and the coaching they receive is excellent. All our coaches are fully qualified and we have a ratio of about one coach for every 15 children.
"As well as having loads of fun in the schools we hope to recognise and encourage the new Robbie Keanes and Damien Duffs of this country. These are the future of Irish football."
Ireland manager Kerr, who was Technical Director up until last year, also emphasised the importance of participation. "Particularly in rural areas, the children wouldn't have played that much and we try and get them out, give them proper coaching and let them enjoy it. It's all about making sure
they enjoy it.
"Of course the good players are always going to stand out and they will be catered for, but we want everybody to come out. It's a great opportunity for all children."
With this in mind, the FAI has introduced a number of 'girls only' camps this year. "We hope to encourage more girls to take up football at an earlier age," Kerr said. "All the camps are mixed, but hopefully the girls only camps will encourage more girls who maybe wouldn't have played to come out."
Bonner will also be coaching at ten specialised coaching courses this year, after last year's four goalkeeping events proved a massive success. "We're trying to cater for everybody and there's lots of kids who want to be goalkeepers and they will be given special coaching at these courses," Bonner said.
This year, each participant will receive a special 7Up Soccer Superskills CD-Rom, which was developed by the FAI in association with 7Up and Dublin Bus, that will provide children with a further medium from which to learn skills associated with Irish greats, Keane and Duff as well as World Cup winners like Zinedine Zidane and Roberto Carlos.
All participants will also receive a special FAI/Umbro branded football kit, a new edition FAI football as well as free 7Up every day. All children need to bring with them is a packed lunch. The fee per person is €69.
For more information call the special FAI 7Up Summer Soccer Schools number 1850 653 653.
www.fai.ie
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