NORTHERN Ireland’s record goal scorer David Healy has given his backing to the Irish FA’s Nutty Krust Summer Soccer Schools programme in the Down District.
[caption id="attachment_40128" align="alignleft" width="390"]
David Healy, second right, with Irish FA Grassroots Development Officer (Down District), Seamus Heath; local Irish league stars Michael Carvill and Andrew Waterworth and County Down Excellence Player, Nathan Heath.[/caption]
Our famous number nine and role model to our young footballers, spent time recently advising and mentoring local Irish league stars Andrew Waterworth and Michael Carvill. Andrew and Michael assist Irish FA Grassroots Development Officer Seamus Heath throughout the summer, coaching at all the Down District Soccer Schools. They were both highly impressed with David’s enthusiasm and knowledge for all strands of our game from international, domestic and grassroots.
Andrew said: “I felt so proud when my local hero and neighbour spent time with Michael and I, clearly remembering his early youthful summer days on football camps. Our newly qualified coach also advised us from his learning experiences of becoming a footballer and his beliefs and ideas on developing the next generation.”
Grassroots football is delivering eight summer soccer schools across the Down District throughout July and August. The main areas of Newcastle, Crossgar and Downpatrick will host the camps enabling all our local young players an opportunity to attend a venue each week which will be within a short travelling time.
[caption id="attachment_40129" align="alignright" width="300"]
IFA Grassroots Coach Seamus Heath with some soccer stars of the future.[/caption]
David, who recently has been successfully progressing up the UEFA coaching ladder, has always supported the Irish FA’s summer programmes and believes that they are vital to our young players early years of development. David added: “I remember attending as a child and observing as I got older and now fully appreciate how much summer soccer schools improve each young player’s development.
“Hours of contact time will ensure technical progression and added to playing small-sided games in a fun environment gives young players the perfect platform to showcase their skills and help them in their football development, all of which happens at the summer soccer schools.”
Seamus Heath, Irish FA Grassroots Development Officer for Down District, acknowledges the role that David Healy plays both now and previously for our local players. “David has always made himself available to help advice and support all our districts local players and programmes. I personally have witnessed on numerous occasions the quietly performed duties that David has carried in our district. David is a role model to all our footballers both young and old and it is great to see that his involvement is ever increasing”.
More information on the Irish FA’s Nutty Krust Summer Soccer Schools programme can be found by visiting:www.irishfasoccerschools.com
]]>
