Hello all,

My approach to coaching

My name is Declan Cooke and I am currently coaching the Carrigaline United AFC Premier under-11 team. Season 2009/10

Along with Mr Tony Drinan, I have trained this team since 2005. As of February 2010, this team are currently top of the Cork Schoolboys League. We are the top scorers in all competitions. We have scored 54 goals in 15 games. We have seven of the boys in the team currently participate with the Cork Development Squad.

Since 2008, our team has been coached exclusively using Coerver  /  SAQ training principles. I believe that the success of the Carrigaline under-11 Premier team is due to the professional approach taken during training and the application of the Coerver / SAQ training methods.

All children who participate in Speedsoccer will benefit from these coaching techniques and methods.

My primary reason for starting Speedsoccer is to increase player and coach awareness of the need to maximise a player’s ability at a young age. The window of opportunity is a small one-the maximum benefit from this method of training is attainted between the ages of 8 and 13.

More about my background

I joined the Carrigaline Soccer Academy as a coach. Afterwards, I was invited to take up the role of Coach Co-Ordinator. During my time in this role I oversaw the development of the Carrigaline Academy to its current standing. Today, the Academy includes 450 children between the ages of 6 to 10 years of age. There are 45 coaches involved. I introduced coaching standards to the Academy teams and to this day it has fantastic results with each of the teams all competing at their own level, with 3 of these teams all at the top of their respective premier divisions Nov 2011. This involved compiling mission statements for both the Academy and the Schoolboy teams and the development of training guides for all coaches. These guides are tailored to achieve the maximum benefit for the child being coached during each training session. There is a different development plan for each age group. I am currently the Cork Youths Coach season 2011/12.

I have completed the FAI coaching courses Kick Start 1 and Kick Start 2. I have also completed my UEFA Youth Cert with the FAI. I have also obtained qualifications in SAQ (Speed, Agility, Quickness). I am currently studying PFCS (Physical fitness and conditioning for sport) techniques at Setanta College, which is Ireland’s Number 1 coaching College for field and court sports.

Yours in Sport

Declan Cooke