Preparing juniors to play seniors

 

Matthew Galea

November 8 2014

Shepparton News

Three of Shepparton soccer’s most prominent characters have come together to deliver Football Institute — a new program aimed at preparing players for senior soccer.

Shepparton South senior coach Reno Lia has joined forces with Frankie Lagana and Craig Carley to deliver the program.

All three coaches have Football Federation Australia accredited C-Licenses.

Lia has played for South Melbourne , while Carley has been a mainstay in Goulburn North East Football Association since arriving at Cobram Victory in 2010.

Lagana — a Shepparton native — has returned to his hometown following a lengthy career in the old Victorian Premier League as well as a stint in the Socceroos under-23 team and he hopes to pass on what he has learned from those experiences to the next generation of Shepparton players.

‘‘It’s a football school where kids are educated on football at the elite level, but also off the field with sports nutrition and video analysis,’’ Lagana said.

‘‘For me, coming from what I’ve seen as a player, I want to share what I’ve learned and we want to offer a professional set up for kids who have not been exposed to it.’’

The six-week program is in its third week and the trio have been happy with uptake so far.

‘‘We were going into the unknown a bit, but we’re happy. The girls have been the big surprise for me,’’ Lagana said.

‘‘It’s been fantastic to have 11 girls off the bat.’’

The sessions the coaches run are all themed and address different game day scenarios each week.

The coaches explain the theory to children before putting them through a number of drills that address the principles of the session.

Football Institute also offers matches to ensure the principles being taught are being done.

‘‘For the older group, we’re following the curriculum . . . and essentially you need the matches to judge if what we’re doing is being applied and that will cap off the six-week block,’’ Lagana said.

The school will take on Maribyrnong Sports College next week and will be entering a side in the Shepparton-hosted Australian Football Skool gala tournament this month.

Lagana also confirmed Football Institute was in talks with the Goulburn Valley Suns.

‘‘We’re going to try and work in with them, as they offer the best level for these kids to play at,’’ Lagana said.

‘‘We’ll be pushing our kids to play for the Suns if they want to and possibly coaching a team or two, but it’s all in negotiation still.’’