Photo: Acabashi / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Tottenham Hotspur's Football Development programme reached more than 1,400 participants across New Zealand and Australia after completing 12 sessions in Sydney over seven days.
The squad of four coaches — Jason Pedulla, Shannon Moloney, Tyler Blackwood and Jimmy Martin — had already worked with over 500 participants in Auckland before arriving in Sydney to conclude the two-week tour.
"The last seven days have been an amazing experience for our department," said Jason Pedulla, Football Development Manager. "The NSW football community have made us feel incredibly welcome and their passion for the game is evident from administrators, coaches and teachers through to players and parents."
Sessions in Sydney included three visits to the Sydney FC Academy (U20s, U15s and U13s), a Football NSW coach education session attended by 120 coaches, and work with the Football NSW Future Sapphires Squad — an elite female player group aged 15–16.
The programme also covered partner schools Pymble Ladies College and Trinity Grammar, the latter travelling from Melbourne to attend a combined coach education and football development session. Further sessions were held at St. Pius X College, Kingsgrove Public School, the Australian College of Physical Education, and with 30 female players from Concord Junior Soccer Club.
Pedulla added: "As much as we aim to develop the technical ability of the players during our sessions, they have also energised us through their love of the game and willingness to learn. We hope that every player has taken something away from our sessions that helps them to reach their potential as footballers."