Reading's Community Trust coaches not only spend their hours coaching and educating local children in a variety of different ways through a whole host of initiatives and programmes - they also introduce 'the Reading way' abroad.
Community Trust Manager, Lee Herron, has recently returned from one of many trips stateside and is pleased with the bonds we are forging with our US counterparts. "The international arm to our community work began back in April when the ladies' team toured to North Carolina upon invitation from our hosts," he explained.
"In June, coaches Shelley Strange and Gary Webb took part in our first coaching camp in Valdosta, Georgia - one of the clubs we are now closely partnered with. Then myself and Phil Griffiths travelled to Houston with the Albion Hurricanes, before Phil Cousins and I went to work with the Ocean City Barons in New Jersey.
"These trips take place for a number of reasons," Herron explained. "We're always looking to raise the profile of the football club, but importantly there is also income generation for the Trust involved in these trips. I also believe that staff development is key and, by visiting different footballing cultures, the Trust's coaches experience very different methods and approaches to youth football.
"There is also an element of player recruitment behind the trips abroad; three boys came over from Texas to train with us recently, two more joined us from Charlotte United, and the Bermudan under-11 side also travelled to Reading last month. Sharing the Reading experience with these youngsters has a massive impact on their footballing careers."
The Trust coaches will surely be earning enough air miles to lure David Beckham to Madejski Stadium in between LA Galaxy matches! But seriously, the work they undertake away from the local Thames Valley area is in many ways just as important as the Kickz sessions in the Dome each week, or the soccer schools in Woodley over the summer. It also demonstrates how well-respected the Royals' Community scheme is internationally.
"When we went to Texas we worked with their elite players between the ages of 11 and 16. We coached small groups, working through different themes, showing them how we get our football coaching methods across. We take our 'Reading approach' straight to them, nothing changes, so they get the full experience. It is also seen as an opportunity for their coaches, as well as their players, who can draw comparisons and exchange good practices. We see things over there we can bring here, so it works both ways."
And Reading will continue to go global as our Community Trust have plenty on the horizon. "While we were in Texas, we were approached by the El Salvador government to do some work with their national team players." And, earlier in September, Lee took delegates from a Sports School in Singapore on a whistlestop tour of Madejski Stadium, as more links are being formed with the Far East.
"We've got a very well established international development programme now and, looking to broaden our horizons, we are looking to see if there's a possible partnership with the Sports School in Singapore. We have connections with Hong Kong too and we are always looking for new partnerships which fit and are right for Reading Football Club."
