Man United Soccer School opening in Melbourne

Former Manchester United star Jesper Olsen, having already launched and run successful grass roots programs for thousands of Australian children has announced that Melbourne, capital city of the Australian state of Victoria, is the latest addition to territories hosting the Manchester United Soccer Schools. The former Danish international moved to Australia after retirement where he partners Proactive Sports Management Australia with FIFA-licensed Players' Agent, John Grimaud.

Specifically adapted from the coaching program at Man United’s Youth Academy, the 2007 program will be run entirely by its international coaches from the UK. The program will run over four consecutive days in week one and week two of the April school holidays at Kingston Heath Complex and at Football Federation Victoria headquarters. The focus of the program is purely participation and skills development for boys and girls aged 10 – 16 years. Participants are not restricted by ability or gender and one lucky participant and guardian drawn randomly to attend the exclusive Manchester United Soccer Schools five-day Residential Course in the UK, FourFourTwo Australia reported.

Manchester United Soccer Schools in Australia will be headed up by Tony Byrne, one of the MUSS International Directors of Coaching. It will include four international coaches direct from Manchester and therefore registrations will be limited to only 64 per program. The program is not based on trying to achieve mass numbers, instead it is controlled by its focus on high quality coaching and strict coach to participant ratio of 1:16. During the program, players will take part in a number of unique skills tests. Designed using the club’s coaches and players, these tests are specifically tailored so all participants regardless of age, can compete on level terms.

"It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the first season of Manchester United Soccer Schools’ programs here in Australia," Man United coach Sir Alex Ferguson said in a message. "As a club we are always looking at pioneering innovative ways of training and coaching our players and we believe in sharing our vision of youth development with our huge global support ... At Manchester United Soccer Schools the objective is to bring out the best in each individual and to give each player the opportunity to learn to play ‘the United way!’"