Perth Glory’s Community Department enjoyed record numbers in excess of 450 participants throughout the highly successful July school holidays. The first week of the programme was dedicated to the Glory Juniors Professional Development Camp followed by the Soccer Schools in the second week, which are arguably the Hyundai A League’s finest holiday clinics.
Community Department Manager Callum Salmon explained, “In the first week of the school holidays we held our Professional Development Camp specifically for identified talent that have registered with the Community Department’s Glory Juniors. We enjoyed a top class venue next to Perth Glory’s first team training ground at McGillivray Oval. The venue not only gave our players access to a professional training surface, but also provided many facilities like aquatic rehabilitation, indoor soccer, health and wellbeing classrooms as well as regular interaction with our first team players and staff”
“Our Community staff felt this strongly contributed to our facilitation of a dynamic learning environment for all our players – no less than they deserve!”
“The coaches and technical staff we had access to throughout the week was absolutely first class. We had current Matilda Collette McCallum, as well as former Glory Player Steven McGarry and in my opinion two of the very best coaches in currently working in youth development Michael Garcia and Tom Sellers.”
Perth Glory Community and Development Officer Steven McGarry added, “I really enjoyed my first Professional Development Camp, the training is designed to challenge the boys as well as being an enjoyable experience. The most important outcome of the PDC was seeing the boys leave with a huge smile on their faces having worked very hard throughout the PDC.”
The comments from the parents and players alike, consistently reflects the high quality coaching and interaction each young player has enjoyed at Perth Glory.
“Thank you for the Soccer Schools, I did not want it to end and kept asking my Mum – when are we going back to Glory? See you at the Malaga game!” ~ Holly Price
“Thank you and congratulations to the Glory guys for running such a professional and enjoyable couple of days for the kids. I managed to take the Monday off work and stay and watch what was going on and was amazed at how they caught every last kid’s attention. Thanking you again for an excellent Glory Soccer School recently at Houghton Park.” ~Greg MacLean
Perth Glory Players were involved extensively throughout the holidays with Glory’s star defender Michael Thwaite amongst them.
“It is great getting out and seeing the kids throughout the holidays, everyone looks like they’re having fun and scoring goals too which is very important! The Glory Juniors were a pleasure to be a part of as well, it is beneficial for the juniors to speak to professional players and find out the small details in our routines that can really help a younger player’s development,” Thwaite acknowledged.
Community and Development Officer Michael Garcia agreed, “So much positivity, enthusiasm, bright and bubbly children, extra-curricular activities with the Perth Glory players and Game Vault, and to be perfectly clear – everyone had an absolutely wonderful time.”
The next opportunity for the young players to play with the Glory Players will be at Term 3 Glory Skills kicking off this week at the Loftus Centre, State Futsal Centre and Bouncers Joondalup under the guidance of Glory Skills Head Coach Tom Sellers and Senior Community and Development Officer Michael Garcia.
For further information please visit GLORY SKILLS ONLINE HERE or to register before the program starts at the special price of $200 please click HERE
Get to know Glory’s Community by subscribing to the newsletter HERE and if you’d further information about existing programs visit the website HERE or email callum.salmon@perthglory.com.au
