First team concepts shared with Western NSW youth

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WESTERN NSW Mariners U15s team enjoyed a session straight out of Central Coast’s first team textbook in Orange on Wednesday night.

WESTERN NSW Mariners U15s team enjoyed a session straight out of Central Coast-s first team textbook in Orange on Wednesday night.

Central Coast Mariners National Youth League Coach and Academy Development Manager, Tony Walmsley, ran the young charges through their paces in the first of two sessions designed to assist the areas elite players and coaches during his three-day visit to the region.

The training run focussed on assisting the impressive teams capacity to attack their opponents while maintaining their defensive structure.

After the session, Walmsley said the players responded well to the concepts presented.

“It was a dynamic session,” Walmsley said. “We were asking quite a lot of them.”

“A lot of those components have been done by the first team this week at training, so it-s good to see where they-re at.”

“They-ve got two or three quality players that are certainly worth us keeping an eye on and trying to help develop over the term of our partnership here.”

“They-re a good team in the Super Youth League.”

“I think the Mariners should feel proud of the fact that they do get out here and do this type of work. Not only is it good for the brand, it-s a really good opportunity to recognise talent.”

“For 14 and 15-year-olds I thought they did quite well.”

Today Walmsley will venture to Dubbo to run a coach education course with the Western NSW Mariners Under 18s outfit and approximately 20 knowledge-hungry local tacticians.

After years of informal cooperation between the 2012 Hyundai A-League Premiers and Western NSW Football, the two entities reached a formal partnership agreement in March this year.

The collaboration is focused on coach education and player development, with key aims centered around Central Coast accessing and assessing Western NSW-s gifted talent pool.