28 February 2011

Azkals stars hold Taguig clinic




With the Azkals stars brothers James and Phil Younghusband watching, a physical education teacher/coach goes through the routine as taught by the Younghusbands during a football clinic in Taguig over the weekend. (Photo by LJ PASION)

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino-British James and Phil Younghusband, members of the popular Philippine Azkals, conducted a football clinic over the weekend in Taguig City and enjoyed their stint so much they promised to be back in the summer for more interaction with the city’s youth.

Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano said the brothers assured her of their return after the two-day football clinic at the BNS Parade Ground Naval Station, Fort Bonifacio where some 240 Physical Education (PE) instructors and teachers participated.

“The Azkals have granted our wish. Come this summer, they have agreed to teach the young people of Taguig how to play football European style,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano likewise said that she felt proud the Younghusband brothers, behind the Younghusband Football Academy, first chose the P.E. instructors of Taguig as their “students” to whom they imparted their knowledge and insights on the game of football.

Twenty-four-year-old James himself seemed to be satisfied with the performance of the teachers, who will be tasked to share their knowledge to their own students in hopes of spreading local interest for football.

“This is a ‘train the trainers program.’ It’s like a coaching seminar for public school PE teachers where we teach them little fun drills for little kids just to keep them interested in the sport. Through this we are able to reach more people,” James said. “It’s been pretty good so far.”

Phil, 23, for his part, said that one of the goals of the Younghusband Football Academy is to show that Filipinos can excel in football.

Manila Bulletin

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