Soccer session by First Division team Swan United attracts 80 juniors after win over Olympic

A soccer skills session delivered by a high-level club drew a huge crowd of junior fans of the world game.

Swan United, who play in the semi-professional Football West State Division 1, two tiers below the national A-League, offered drills on goalkeeping, passing and other skills last Saturday as juniors watched on.

Football West regional officer Tanya Amazzini said there were about 80 juniors at the event.

“It was great to see so many kids take up the opportunity,” she said.

“It was a huge turnout, really good to see.”

The training session followed a match against local side Olympic FC.

Swan United won 4-0 in the game, which was played over three 30-minute thirds.

The local defence that gets few opportunities to play against semi-professional opposition firmed up as the match went on.

“The boys enjoyed it, we were obviously a little bit outclassed but I think they did well,” Olympic head coach Frank DeLuca said.

“It was good to see them (Swan United) down there for the juniors as well, good that they got involved.

“We’re hoping it’s an ongoing thing.”

The Mid West Soccer Association season is scheduled to start at the end of April.

Olympic are reigning premiers in the men’s league and reserves and will be looking to defend both their titles.

La Fiamma were runaway winners in the women’s division and also won the knockout cup.

Five-a-side matches are currently running at Rovers SC, and a seven-a-side competition is running at La Fiamma.