Earlier this week, 60 of our MUFC Juniors enjoyed a training session hosted by our Men’s First Team squad. The session was the prize for MUFC Juniors selling the most tickets at our Grassroots Community Day fixture in late November.
The Juniors were separated into their age groups before being put through their paces. Our U8s headed over to Will de Havilland, Jordi van Stappershoef, Remy Clerima and Quaye Vine. They started their session with a keepy uppy shuttle race, impressing the skipper with their skills. Then came a very exciting opportunity to take some shots against our very own goalkeeper – I’m sure the U8 squad were not used to seeing a six-foot, six-inch frame in their 7-a-side size goal. Also encouraging the players to get used to shooting on their weaker foot. Before breaking off into some matches and continuing to impress our First Team squad.
Matt Robinson, Liam Dulson and Josh Umerah took guidance over the U9 squad, firstly leading them through a gentle warm-up before some fun mini games. Robbo went in the sticks ahead of a penalty shootout competition showing some impressive, yet unexpected, reflexes. Our strike partners then ran them through some shooting drills, and who better to learn from than two of the most lethal finishers in the division. Umerah took the reins to teach a passing drill and the players looked to play off of both feet, improving confidence in their weaker foot. It was matches to finish up as Josh and Liam took charge of one half of the squad, while Robbo took management of the other half of the squad. As the session drew to a close, Robinson suggested that some off the squad may have been watching a bit too much of JML with some pretentious simulation attempts and some even more questionable time-wasting.
The U11/12 squad had their session handled by Asher Yearwood, Jayden Mitchell-Lawson, Jordon Ragguette, Harvey Collins and Harry Pritchard. A gentle warm up followed by some small group ball work lead into some min matches. The group then split into four teams incorporating some of the first team squad into their play. To round off, each player in each team was given a number which were then called out and became small-sided games with members of the first team in goal. In a race of first-to-ten, it was tightly contested game which ended up being called to finish at 9-9.
The remainder of the squad including Owen Cochrane, Miles Welch-Hayes, Manny Onariase, Ryan Bartley, Noah Stewart, Alfie Pendlebury, Cameron Eubank, Dillon De Silva and David Mantle oversaw the U14 squad. To get them warm the players split into small groups for some rondo passing drills. Following a similar game to the U11/12 group, the U14s were given numbers before going head-to-head in quickfire small games. A powerful strike past Manny O provided plenty of amusement for the squad as he was sent completely the wrong way. The group then split in half for some small-sided matches with the Men’s squad once again taking on the role of goalkeeper.
A huge thank you to all the Juniors for coming down, we hope you had a great session. Also, thank you to Ryan Peters, Aaron O'Brien and the Men's First Team squad for delivering an excellent session.
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