Young soccer enthusiasts are being taught all the tricks of the trade this week by some of Wairarapa's finest coaching talent. Wairarapa United recruited mid-fielder, Giuseppe Cugliari, three seasons ago and in that time he has also been co-ordinating the kiwi soccer school holiday programme. "I did a lot of similar coachingin the States and the U.K and it's great for the kids. If they're not here having a run around they might be sitting at home watching television." Cugliari invites different coaches every day throughout the week, which provides variety to the programme, he says. "There's a different theme everyday so they learn a variety of skills. Some of what they learn may not kick in until a bit later but either way they can take it away and practise on it further in their own time." He said 35 school children aged between eight and 14-years-old are taking part, a record number for the programme. "I think soccer must be on the rise in Wairarapa. You can never say for certain but there's definitely an abundance of enthusiasm amongst these kids." Cugliari said it was a case of "first in first served for each age group" and the programme being run at Hullena Park is based around "no lines, no laps and no lectures". "I make a point of making sure the kids have always got a soccer ball at their feet and we keep a record of how many juggles they do each morning, so they can see how they're improving." Masterton Associated Football Club member, Bob Hullena, who the park is named after was at the soccer field yesterday admiring the handy footwork of some of the younger generation. "This is where the game is at really. It's great to come down here and see these kids utilising the park and having a go." "When I was at WelTech in Wellington years ago, you either played hockey or rugby, soccer wasn't an option." "Wellington College now has 18 teams playing this year and the change over the hill is also being seen in Wairarapa." He said soccer is starting to make a break at the post-college level. "I guess when you're a bit older you can play one game of rugby and injure yourself and not play again. With soccer there's no weight and height expectations like there is with rugby so it might be a bit more appealing."
