A coaching clinic at the Central Newcastle Football Club attended by veteran Knights, Timana Tahu and Clint Newton drew hundreds of junior players looking to learn a thing or two from the NRL stars.
The senior district club, Central Newcastle conducted the coaching clinic primarily for players within the senior club’s catchment area of Charlestown and Dudley.
Registrations were also opened to the general public for children aged between 6 and 12 years old attracting more than 220 keen participants to Tuesday evening’s clinic.
The clinic covered football skills and featured game rotations with participants enjoying a barbecue at the end.
Matt Lantry, Newcastle Knights’ manager of participation, development and infrastructure and coach at the Central Newcastle Club said the event was the first time the senior Club had run a clinic of its kind for young players and had members of the Newcastle Knights squad attend to offer their expertise.
“It just added to the evening to have two players of their calibre go around and interact with the kids, teach them and just generally have some fun,” he said.
“All the young kids really appreciated that.
The occasion saw Central Charlestown Junior and accomplished Knight, Timana Tahu return to where his football career began.
Lantry was thrilled with the success of the evening and the high level of support it was given by the community.
“It’s one of the biggest junior clinics the area has had in a while.
“Full credit to the Club and everyone involved. Particularly to the two junior Clubs that got right behind it,”
Lantry explained that the event was all about familiarising those young kids with pathways through to their district Club.
“Some of these players won’t be too far off being ready for district footy in a few years time.
“Hopefully we continue to engage with junior Clubs at Dudley and Central Charlestown,” he said.
