Martin Toole, of Newcastle, England, Micheal Canty of Ballybunion, Ireland, and James Kiernan of London are in town with Challenger Sports on a multi-state tour of both teaching and learning.
“To me, every day you’re coaching, you’re always …
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Local soccer enthusiasts are getting a bit of international guidance this week as a trio of instructors are leading lessons on the pitch at the Trapper Fields.
Martin Toole, of Newcastle, England, Micheal Canty of Ballybunion, Ireland, and James Kiernan of London are in town with Challenger Sports on a multi-state tour of both teaching and learning.
“To me, every day you’re coaching, you’re always learning,” Toole said. “Last year we did camps at states on the east and west coasts, this year we’re moving in a little bit. I see it as a great way to teach the kids the game as we know it, and for us to get to know the American game a little more as well.”
The trio are impressed with the level of play among the local youngsters, who are showing their level of play honed through the Heart Mountain soccer clubs.
“These kids are pretty advanced for their age, so there are a lot of basic lessons we don’t need to bother with,” Toole said. “At a lot of camps we do, the kids are at the ‘toe kick level,’ but with these kids we can work on other things since they are at a higher level.”
The days feature instructions from Toole, Canty and Kiernan before splitting off into their age groups for matches.
Canty had “Ireland” squaring off with “Brazil” in one such match, with instruction and encouragement ongoing.
“After each game we’ll name a player of the game and during the week we’re totaling up points,” Toole said. “Like if someone scores a goal, they might get 50 points, but if someone gives a really good assist they might get 500 points. It’s about teaching them the game, but also about teamwork and good sportsmanship.”