Sydney FC’s successful skills training programs and holiday clinics helped a Sky Blues double winner renew his passion for football.
Adam Casey was part of Vitezslav Lavicka’s successful 2010 squad, alongside the likes of current Head Coach Steve Corica, ex-Socceroo John Aloisi, former Captain Terry McFlynn and current Socceroo full back Rhyan Grant.
However, after one more year in the A-League with North Queensland Fury, Casey gave up the sport before returning more recently to coach Sky Blues youngsters on the South Coast.
“It’s a bit surreal being back with Sydney FC,” he said. “When I left Sydney FC, and football in general, I had about four years off not playing or watching.
“My love of the game had faded and that was due to a lot of things, including my injuries, so coming back to coaching these kids at Sydney FC has brought my love back for the game.
“When I had my uniform on again, it was like I’ve done a full 360 playing, going away and now coaching the kids again.
“It has made me want to do my coaching licences and be available to pass on the knowledge and skills that I’ve learned in my 30 years in the game to these younger players.”
Casey is coaching at the Sky Blues Skills Training Program in Wollongong during term time and will be coaching the kids at the Sydney FC Holiday Clinics in Albion Park in January.
His experience of being a Sydney FC player and Championship winner has impressed.
“It’s good when the boys and girls see you played for Sydney FC. It gives them a bit more realism and it means the dream is not as far off as it may seem for them,” continued the 35-year old.
“The parents love it when they hear that I used to play for the club and I’m now coaching their children too.
“It makes becoming a professional become more attainable for the kids and it gives them more of a positive outlook.
“I’d be really happy to see if one of the kids who I’ve coached move all the way up through our programs and into the Sydney FC Academy and then into the A-League.”
Sydney FC’s Holiday Clinics begin on December 20 and last all throughout January. There are 26 clinics, including Girls Only, across 15 locations in Sydney and New South Wales.
