Dokter's coaching appointment at Ballymackey FC

Ballymackey FC's selection as FAI Club of the Year for 2018 brought with it many deserved plaudits but more importantly, benefits as well, one of which came to the club on Monday night with a presentation by Ruud Dokter, the High Performance Director of the FAI.

Over 40 coaches, not only from the club, but from around the Mid-West region attended the coaching clinic with under 11 & under 12 players from the club put through their paces by the Dutch man whose influence over the last six years in the role is bearing fruit at underage level, such as Barry Coffey who began his soccer path out in Ballinree before moving onto Nenagh AFC, Glasgow Celtic and in starring for the Republic of Ireland at youth level.

Much of Dokter's presentation on the night centred on the right way to coach players, particularly juveniles where fun and enjoyment are prioritised, something which Ballymackey FC have made their ethos with their high membership rate of players coming from that inclusive environment.

“You can tell about the environment of the club and the numbers in the club that you must be doing something good if they players are here and they fully deserve to be the club of the year,” said Ruud Dokter.

For Ballymackey FC PRO John Delaney, it was a huge honour to have the leading soccer coach in the country to be in the North Tipperary club on Monday night.

“It is brilliant to have someone as prominent as him down here, talking about the day to day football is brilliant, particularly for the kids as this will be something they will remember.

“When we were shortlisted as finalists, we told what was going to happen if we won it but we never thought we would milk it the way they were saying it with the about of benefits that have come from it,” he said.

 

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