Foundation coaches contribute to successful football camp
ALBION Foundation coaches Ash Hodgkins and Liam Wall returned from Nigeria this week after spending time in the country coaching at a national football camp.
It is the second time The Albion Foundation have sent coaches over to the country to help out in what was the third annual Greensprings/Kanu Football Camp.
The Foundation aims to develop long-term relationships to mutually improve the quality of players, coaches and spread the word about West Bromwich Albion.
In temperatures exceeding 35 degrees, the first couple of days saw Liam and Ash take part in a ‘coach the coaches’ day with a selection of Nigerian trainers.
At the conclusion of the five-day camp, the Foundation pair undertook a sightseeing tour of the local village to wrap up what was an amazing trip.
Liam said: ”The visit to Nigeria was an exciting venture for both The Albion Foundation and people in the local area in Lagos, Nigeria for the second time.
“The trip allowed us to develop ourselves, with some excellent opportunities, but also embrace a totally different culture to what we are used to.
“The ethos of the coaches in Nigeria is top draw and we were allowed to promote West Bromwich Albion in a positive light to all Nigerians, gaining fans along the way.
“The highlight of the trip was a visit to a local village, where the impact we had on the children was incredible!
“Hopefully the coaching, professionalism and the impact we had on the children will see us invited back for a third year next year to continue and develop the good work we have done over the last two years.”
David Shepherd from Euroworld Sports Ltd, who organise the trip, was very keen to continue the link.
He said: “I'd like to pass on a very big thank you to both Liam and Ash for their superb contributions to the highly successful third annual Greensprings School Soccer Camp.
“Both were instrumental in delivering a superb coaching programme for the school.
“Additionally they also supported a ‘coach the coaches’ seminar which was attended by 90 local coaches on behalf of the Lagos State Football Federation before finally completing their coaching commitments by organising two one-hour mini tournaments at a local community sports club.
“They totally committed themselves to the programme throughout and completed all tasks requested of them with great effort and enthusiasm.
“Both lads were an absolute credit to West Bromwich Albion and it was a privilege for me personally to have had the opportunity of leading our coaches’ delegation, all of whom were outstanding ambassadors for their respective organisations.”