Usain Bolt’s first training session with Central Coast Mariners
USAIN Bolt has completed his first session with the Central Coast Mariners in front of a huge media pack. Some say he looked a bit ungainly. Watch our video - you be the judge.
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USAIN Bolt has completed his first session with the Central Coast Mariners, with a heavy reliance on his left foot and a few smart touches highlighting his 45-minute training run.
Media flocked by the dozens to Central Coast Stadium and a few members of the public snuck peaks through the fence as the eight-time gold medallist was put through his paces by strength and conditioning coach Andrew Young.
A smattering of cheers and cries of Happy Birthday greeted him as he walked down the race and onto the field — the now 32-year-old welcoming them with a thumbs up and a laugh.
He then went through a light passing session alongside Matt Simon and a handful of others, marking the first time he touched a ball in yellow and navy.
Dressed from head to toe in winter training gear it wasn't hard to tell that Bolt had just swapped the Jamaican summer for the brisk Coast weather, but he soon shed the long sleeves and trackies after a warm up run.
He looked quite comfortable, understandably, as the warm up moved from a slow canter to a controlled running pace, at times looking maybe too comfortable as he passed his teammates with relative ease.
Bolt then took part in another passing drill where his touch and passing range came under the microscope.
In a press conference following the short training run Bolt said he was starting with a blank slate.
“For me it’s just like track and field first day of training is always the toughest one,” he said.
“I felt okay. For me I’m not setting myself any targets I’m just going to out in the work I’m just here to push myself and I’m starting here with a blank slate I’m here to learn and get better.
“For me I’m very cool under pressure if you’ve seen me over the years. My ability to understand very quickly and learn the game is good.
“I have to work on basic skills and there’s things that I need to learn. It’s been warm welcome I’ve had a lot of love and respect.”
Bolt said Mariners staff were there to “help me as much as they possibly can” but he wanted to be “treated like any other (player)”.
“I’m here!” he said.
“People can say what they want to say but I will prove them wrong.”
It comes as Dobell Federal Labor MP last night tipped the Mariners to “do the Wanderers this season” with many punters saying “skip the trial … put him straight into the starting side”.
“A lightning bolt has been carved into the pitch at Central Coast Stadium to mark Olympic legend Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest man, trialling for the Central Coast Mariners,” she told parliament last night.
“Some questioned whether it was just a publicity stunt, but I had the inside running from the Mariners. Both the Mariners and Bolt are committed to his professional football career, and I know many in our community would be thrilled if he was offered a contract at the end of this trial,” Ms McBride said.
“The Mariners have poured additional coaching and high-performance resources into the project.”
“On behalf of my constituents in the electorate of Dobell, I want to warmly welcome Usain Bolt to the Central Coast and wish him all the best for his trial with the Mariners. And happy 32nd birthday. What better place to spend a birthday trialling for a new career than on the beautiful Central Coast … We’ll do the Wanderers this season!”