It’s not just Glory’s Hyundai A-League squad and coaching staff that has undergone significant change during what has been a busy off-season here in the West, with the club’s Community Department also entering an exciting new era.
The department, now led by former Glory midfielder Michael Garcia [Community Manager], alongside Stephen Purton [Community Coordinator], have been working tirelessly to relaunch and re-brand the club’s statewide holiday programs and clinics.
With the September – October Holiday Clinics now open for registration [Click HERE], we caught up with Garcia to discuss all the positive movements within the department and what the parents and children can expect.
“There’s going to be a wide array of activities and novelty items within our Holiday programs, as well as an increased level of quality control ensuring that all the kids who participate are left with a positive experience that brings them closer with the club as a whole,” the Community Manager said.
“Of course, we love to help improve their tricks and skills through various coaching exercises, but we also like to focus on developing the discipline, enjoyment of the game and helping facilitate new friendships for the kids, which is closely connected to our core values of quality, excellence, integrity and inclusion.
“Our sessions cater to all skill levels and within our lesson plans we aim to teach resilience, education on diet and the potential to be the best they can be, both as a Perth Glory participant and as a person.”
The new coaching structure now involves Tom Wood (C-Licensed Coach), as well as former Glory Youth and current NPL players Ross Millard and Dejan Spaseski. Employed on a part-time basis, their brief is to ensure that the children are provided with top quality standards at each and every session, something Garcia views as essential.
“We have a reliable, hardworking and secure Community team that will be able to deliver sessions of the highest standards in Western Australia as we strive to become the best provider of football in the state,” he said.
“With regular and familiar coaches, we will be able to start building positive relationships with the children, families, members and the wider community, which in turn reflects well upon the club as a whole.”
Glory CEO Tony Pignata, meanwhile, is full of praise for the work of the new-look department and can’t wait to see the Holiday Clinics in full swing.
“The department spearheads our efforts to get out and engage with the local community which is one of our key objectives as a club,” he said.
“Our high-calibre coaches are passionate about making sure that the children who attend all of our various programs and clinics enjoy themselves and develop both their skills and a love for the game.
“It’s always fantastic to see so many youngsters out enjoying their football in our Holiday Clinics and I’m confident that their popularity will continue to increase in the coming months.”
#OneGlory
