FOOTBALL: Local players take part in coaching sessions

During the month of June, the Irish Football Association is running coaching sessions for U17 and U18 players in Northern Ireland.

By The Newsroom

Published 21st Jun 2012, 09:59 BST

The coaching sessions are taking place at the Mid Ulster Arena in Cookstown and are running three days a week throughout this month. The programme will then re-commence in August. The tailored sessions focus on the areas of strength and conditioning, fitness work as well as specific tactical sessions.

Northern Ireland Under 21 manager Stephen Robinson, said: “This programme is important to the continued development of our U17 and U18 boys. We already have 10 of our U17 group heading to England this summer on football scholarships with clubs such as Fulham, Sheffield Wednesday, Hull City, Watford and Burnley; while five of our U18 group are also heading to England to clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield Wednesday.

“I think this shows the success of our youth and excellence programmes and we need this tailored work with the boys to help their development in the game.”