Teenager Lachlan Ryan cannot get enough of Inglewood United.   Every Saturday afternoon Ryan pulls the midfield strings as captain of the club’s Under-20 National Premier Leagues team and the following morning he takes his place on the sidelines as coach of the Under-12B Development squad.

“I am having a blast!,” Ryan enthused.   “Inglewood is a great club to be part of, we are all one tight family that works hard for each other.   There’s a real sense of togetherness with juniors and seniors working in tandem while the club is open and inviting to getting parents and the community involved.”

“That’s created a great environment to train and play in, with Inglewood run by an elite team that pushes all the players to realise their potential.   It’s a club with a lot of history and I want to contribute to that in whatever way I can … I feel lucky that I am able to play as well as coach at the club.”

Ryan has focused on furthering his knowledge of the game since leaving school three years ago.   The 19-year old has worked with the ‘Burnley FC in the Community’ program, completed Football Federation Australia’s Miniroos and Skill Training Certificates and currently is working towards his ‘C’ Licence..

“I’m coaching the Under-12Bs to gain more experience working with talented, young, enthusiastic players,” said Ryan, one of three Inglewood players coaching juniors this year.   Ryan’s teammate Joel Jebaratnam and Kristian Despotovski, who is with the Under-16s, are together overseeing the Under-9s.

“I feel I can offer the Under-12Bs a fresh and exciting take on junior football philosophy, while also teaching the key skills and qualities that will get them to the next level, the NPL.   I have many ideas centred around small sided ball games that will allow the players to express their skills through fun games.”

“The players have really embraced what I’m about.   From the very first session they were all ears, every single one of them was eager to get stuck in and learn the drills I had for them.   And at the end of training, without being asked, they pack up all of the equipment and thank me for the session … they’re a great bunch.”