The world famous AJAX football club, who have been European Champions on four ocasions, made their inagural visit to the north west to present a coach education session at the grounds of Strand Celtic football club.

Around 35 coaches from a variety of SLigo clubs attended the event that was organised in conjunction with the Football Coaching Association of Ireland(FCAI). AJAX youth head coach, Eddie Van Schaick, was head of the delegation and entertained the attendance with his football insight, sharp wit and great sense of humour. Eddie has previously coached in places as the US, Kazahstan and the middle east and built up a great rapport with the coaches.

Eddie went through the AJAX playing system and their approach to football. He covered their playing formations, approach to player development, talent and scouting networks, player technical development, game assessment, training systems, training times, physical development and playing styles. He was able to tell some insightful stories on players such as Denis Berkamp, Patrick Kluivert, Rafal Van Der Vart and Wesley Schneider. Patricks Kluivert son is also on his U13 team at present. One interesting fact was that AJAX U13 team has a budget of €300,000 per anum. Quite a staggering figure. They also play over 60 games each season.

The workshop was scheduled for 2.5 hours and ran into 3.5 hours as the questions came thick and fast from the local coaches. Strand Celtic head coach MAurice Monaghan thanked the AJAX coaches for their time and the manner in which they conducted the session. Eddie VAn Schaick presented the host club, Strand Celtic, with an auotgraphed football by Denis Berkamp and Luis Suarez, who is valued at €20m and will be a the world cup with Uruguay. With that the workshop closed down at 10pm after nearly four hours. It was a fantastic coup for Strand Celtic to get such a famous club to come to Sligo and great thanks are due to the FCAI. It is rare to get someone who is so knowledgeable and everyone present was impressed with the knowledge and willingness to learn of the dutch coaches. It is hoped to run another event in october this year.