Football: Herbert to run first programme

Former All Whites coach Ricki Herbert at Puarenga Park last year. Photo / Kelvin Teixera

Former All Whites and Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert is bringing his football academy to Rotorua.

The Ricki Herbert Football Academy has never held a course in Rotorua but will run their first programme in the city later this month.

The Water Buddies Grassroots Programme for children aged five to nine will be held at Neil Hunt Park on Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29.

Herbert came to Rotorua yesterday to visit local schools and plan for the course.

He said he would personally be coaching the course which runs for three hours on both days.

"We would also like to come back [to Rotorua] and run a school holiday programme, a three-day programme for 8 to 15-year-olds."

Herbert said if they started a Youth Football Course in Rotorua, for 8 to 15-year-olds in the July school holidays, it would give players a chance to be selected for elite courses.

He said the grassroots programme later this month was mainly an introduction to the sport and would develop base skills for the kids. He said it was a lot of fun for younger players.

Herbert coached the national team from 2005 to 2013 and coached the Wellington Phoenix from 2007 to 2013.

He said he was enjoying being more involved with the academy after finishing his role in the top jobs.

Herbert said he was especially enjoying being involved with young players.

"I think somewhere along the line that there will be a player that comes along that will go on and represent New Zealand, and I think that will be cool having a small input into what they have done," he said. "It is kind of a 360 cycle."

Herbert said when he was four he started playing football and then at age 28 retired and took up coaching, where he has stayed until recently.

"And now I am back developing young kids, it is fantastic."

To sign up for the Water Buddies Grassroots Programme in Rotorua this month go to www.rickiherbert.co.nz/courses.

The Ricki Herbert Football Academy is sponsored by Water Buddies, a business started by Rotorua woman Sian Leonard.