Football Coaching in Melbourne

When Tom Allnut read about George Nash’s fantastic time coaching rowing in Melbourne (seeing Rowing in Australia – http://sportlivedoz.wordpress.com/category/rowing/), he was inspired to head out to the same destination to put in his two cents at the local grammar school. His sport, however, is football, and he spent April to June coaching the pupils there. A passionate member of his school team at Berkhamstead Collegiate, Tom understood how to get the most of the kids and put 100% into his coaching – so he got 100% back. As is always the way with these programmes, you get out of them what you put in. Tom was interested to compare his experiences in Australia to those back home: “There is a greater emphasis on fitness and conditioning than in England, which shows as the kids  tend to develop quicker, physically, than in England.”

Tom was thrilled to find that his four star apartment was everything he had hoped for and more, with comfort and entertainment in the form of TV and brilliant self-catering facilities built right in. The accommodation also provides an excellent base for friendships to be formed: “We do a lot of things together as a group. Because we live with each other all the time, there’s a really nice closeness between all of us which makes it easy when trying to organise events and things to do…Living and working in Australia has given me a wonderfully complete experience of the country: I don’t think I would have had if I had just been here on holiday.” The gap year experience provides you with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make friends, and Sport Lived understand that sport is an ideal way to meet and interact with people from all sorts of backgrounds, but with a common passion which can unite them. Tom lived with young people who are coaching and training in a variety of different sports, but they are all able to reach their schools or clubs by the easy-to-use public transport systems in Melbourne. Often compared to Sydney, it is said to be far more ‘liveable’, and Tom certainly benefited from that relaxed atmosphere: “It has given me an amazing sense of comfortable independence. Everyone here is mad on sport, likes a beer or two and is up for a good time! It’s definitely though far more laid back; people are never in a hurry and the city has a friendly, easy-going feel. Also obviously generally the weather is a LOT better! To sum it up in three words? Fun-loving, spontaneous and carefree.”

Greg, Ryan and Tom enjoying Melbourne

It is clear that Tom loved his life down under: “For the first time in my life, away from the pressures of exams and education, I’ve actually been able to use my free time to relax and generally do what I like! It’s the people you meet that make your time away what it is, and being involved in sport in Australia just makes meeting those people incredibly easy. ” Our thoughts at this time are with those Tom left back in England – he seems to have had such a blast, that he may never want to leave Melbourne! Will you be joining him?

If you’re looking to a Soccer Australia Gap Year sports programme then why not check out one of our programmes in Sydney or Melbourne at www.SportLived.co.uk.

Footie in Oz!

Sam Fisk and Richard Moyes are just two of the lucky people enjoying their gap year playing football in Sydney. Not only do they get to spend their time doing something they love, but they also get to do it in an exciting new city on the other side of the world.

Being a member of one of the best football clubs in Sydney, Sam and Richard are in the company of 350 other talented members and a massive 20 men’s and women’s teams playing in various state and local leagues across New South Wales.2007 saw an impressive season, with most of the club’s teams finishing in 6^th place or better within their leagues. Richard describes his team mates as “really decent blokes” and tells us he has “a great coach who doesn’t take any nonsense yet is a good laugh as well”. Football is growing in popularity in Australia, fuelled by the launch of the Hyundai A-League in 2005, a professional league incorporating teams from Australia and New Zealand. Women’s football is also hugely popular and is Australia’s fastest growing sport.

Sam has been playing for his club’s Super League Team, where he says “we train hard about three times a week and play at some lovely grounds throughout the year. The standard of football that I’m playing in Sydney is excellent, similar to semi pro in the UK”. Richard and Sam began their football programmes in January where they took part in pre-season training and matches. League fixtures start in March and end in August.

Both Richard and Sam have also enjoyed the club’s numerous social events since they’ve been in Sydney. Richard says ‘The social scene at the club has been excellent. There’s loads of teams and we’re always going out for drinks after training and matches which has really helped me feel part of the club. Most of the players are under 25 which is great as I’ve made lots of friends of a similar age.’

Whilst in Sydney Sam and Richard have been living in 4 star apartments with other Sport Lived participants who are playing various sports including hockey, rugby, netball and swimming. “Our accommodation is really good” says Sam “we’re living near Darling Harbour and close to all the nightlife.” Sam has also enjoyed living in the city due to fact it’s easy for him to get his club and place of work “travelling to my club has been really easy and living in the city provides easy access to any work you might be doing out here”

If you like the sound of taking a gap year like Sam and Richard’s, Sport Lived can cater for your needs, whatever your footballing ability. You’ll have a once in a lifetime opportunity to play your favourite sport in a fantastic Australian city. Have a look at our programmes such as our popular Soccer Sydney or even our coaching programmes at www.sportlived.co.uk.