By Casey Neill
Dandenong teens learnt soccer skills from the Scots at a clinic in Noble Park.
Celtic Football Club representatives hosted a soccer academy day for multicultural youth at Ross Reserve on Thursday 6 April.
Maurice Blackburn lawyer Jenny Tran said the day was designed to “increase social cohesion in the background of youth disadvantage and disengagement occurring within our different culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Dandenong”.
Coaching from the official Celtic curriculum included turns, receiving the ball, passing and moving, awareness, control, finishing and more.
Victoria Police Southern Metro Region new and emerging communities liaison officer Endalkatchew Gage said close to 100 young people took part.
He was pleased with the sportsmanship he saw between local young people from different cultures.
“It was fantastic. It was a one-of-a-kind event,” he said.
“The event was about providing an opportunity for local youths to have a coaching clinic on soccer.
“I think they took away that one, it’s about working together it’s about social harmony, social inclusion, it’s a very diverse group coming together, so that was great.
“Two, it’s about there are local services around that can assist young people in a range of areas.
“It’s about connection, community connection with the services as well, and young people’s development.”
Mr Gage said the feedback had been very positive.
“This was a young people-led activity. The young people would like to take the lead in the future as well,” he said.
The day was a partnership between Reagan Milstein Foundation, Banking Solutions for Football Fans, the State Government, South East Community Links (SECL), Entrepreneurs Movement Club, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, City of Greater Dandenong, Victoria Police, and the Dandenong Tigers soccer club.
