Kids will benefit from elite coaching

Former Sydney star Barry Mitchell will head up a new football program to be run in the south east. 165450 Picture: CONTRIBUTED

By David Nagel

Former Sydney football champion Barry Mitchell and respected golf professional Scott Laycock have thrown their support behind an exciting new concept set to change the face of sport coaching in the south east.
The launch of the South East Centre of Excellence (SECE) will provide children from around the region with the opportunity to develop their skills under tutelage normally reserved for elite training squads.
Mitchell and Laycock are fronting SECE’s football and golf programs, with cricket, netball and basketball soon to follow.
SECE director Martin Harrison believes the programs developed -which range from basic introductions to elite training programs – will ensure that every child is given an equal opportunity to grow and to develop in their chosen field.
“It’s taken two years to get the programs right and getting the right people on board to deliver those programs in the best way possible,” Harrison said.
“We’ve hand-picked sportspeople who have excelled in their chosen fields and are best credentialed to pass on their real-world experiences. Our aim is to deliver what we promise and to do it at value for money.”
SECE is a controlled sports program that is designed to develop the required skills and confidence in youngsters by promoting positive values and offering encouragement through a professional platform of teaching and development.
Harrison said SECE offers no guarantees for the future beyond the training, but with the right attitude the programs will see the student leave at their optimum level.
“One thing we don’t sell is false hope but purely an opportunity for individuals to excel and create pathways through their own improvement and development,” Harrison said.
SECE will run school programs, holiday and elite training programs and aim to be flexible.
“Whether it is individuals, schools or sporting clubs, we aim to be versatile and can adjust our programs to suit the required needs,” Harrison said.
“We recently ran golf sessions at St Patrick’s in Pakenham at short notice and the kids loved it.”
SECE’s football program, run by Mitchell, has been designed to improve the players game IQ, attitude and reliance and to understand the modern game.
“Barry (Mitchell) played 220 games at the elite level and had coaching roles at Carlton, Hawthorn and Fremantle, and been involved with Sydney for the last five years so has outstanding credentials,” Harrison said.
“The programs will be challenging, but enjoyable and rewarding.”
SECE has announced that it will host the Port Melbourne Football Club for a training session at the Pakenham Football Club this Sunday 5 March.
Training will run from noon to 2pm with players and coaches involved in a footy clinic starting at 2.30pm.
The clinic is open to all ages of boys and girls that want to come along and participate free of cost.
The canteen will be open for food on the day and Combi Capers will be there for hot coffees/chocolates and drinks.
More information about SECE can be found at www.sece.com.au