LOCAL soccer players will have the chance to gain coaching accreditations and work overseas under the guidance of an English Premier League giant next year.
Football Federation SA has struck a deal with 13-time English champion Arsenal to allow six youngsters to travel to London in August to take part in the club’s gap year program.
Participants will train for five months under Gunners development staff, earning the equivalent of a youth C licence and qualifications to teach English as a foreign language.
They will then complete a three-month international placement coaching children in Africa, Asia or the US.
FFSA game development manager John Mundy said the opportunity – normally available only to UK residents – would open up long-term job prospects.
“Not everyone is going to make the top grade as a player, so we like to give people other options,” Mundy said.
“This could lead to them hopefully working in the game they love.
“To end up with Arsenal on your CV is pretty good.”
Four male participants will be chosen from the federation’s Australian College of Sport program, while two females will be selected from state development pathways.
They will work in the Arsenal in the Community program, which delivers soccer and education programs to more than 5000 people each week.
Mundy hoped the players would return to SA to share their knowledge with local clubs.
“We feel after the experience they will have gained that they will be a great asset to us,” he said.
Arsenal visited Adelaide last December to run its Double Club learning program for school-aged children.
Alan Sefton, who has led the Gunners’ community schemes since 1986, said the gap year collaboration was an indication of the growing relationship between the club and SA soccer.
“I am delighted to be expanding our links with FFSA and their game development team,” Sefton said.
“The Double Club program has been a success in South Australia and I am confident that the gap program will be received equally as well.”
Fulham United goalkeeper Valentino Esposito said the initiative would offer a rare insight into the inner workings of professional European football.
If selected for the program, he hoped to combine it with playing for a semi-professional club in England.
“It’s a great opportunity for anyone looking to get experience overseas,” Esposito, 19, said.
“You get to work on your playing, but also work on other pathways like coaching.
“It’s a new step – these kinds of things haven’t been offered to us in the past.”
The cost of the initial program would be met by chosen players. The three-month placement would be covered by their host country.
Source: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/sport/football-federation-sa-builds-links-with-epl-giant-arsenal/news-story/7cf9978b78cbbaf7723d814c9df8dee4
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