Darwin: Celtic Football Club academy coaches to touchdown in Top End

The academy coaches of a European powerhouse will trade bitterly cold Britain for the Top End’s humidity, to train NT talent.

Scotland’s Celtic Football Club will be sending its academy coaches to Darwin next month. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

One of the world’s most famous football clubs is sending coaches to the Top End to check out Territorian talent.

Football Northern Territory confirmed academy coaches of Celtic Football Club, also known as The Hoops, would visit Darwin in April to run a week-long school holiday camp.

FNT technical director John Tambouras said the announcement was a big scalp for the Territory’s football lovers.

“We speak about giants of the game and obviously Celtic aren’t far off it – winning the (Scottish) Premiership last year with Australia’s Ange Postecoglou, playing in the Champions League as well, it’s exciting,” he said.

“Working with Celtic is a massive plus for our game in the Territory.”

Celtic Football Club are one of the most iconic club’s in the World Game.

Following last year’s Matildas fever, Mr Tambouras said partnerships with overseas clubs as well as domestic was a “no brainer”.

“(FNT’s) plan is to make sure every kid playing the round ball knows there are pathways,” he said.

“We had four A-League clubs spend time up here last year, registration numbers are super high, and every time I go past an oval I see kids out there training and playing – my biggest worry is that we won’t have enough pitches.”

Mr Tambouras said FNT would “definitely” produce further football talent to join the likes of Territorians Cameron Cook of Perth Glory and Lachlan Bayliss of the Newcastle Jets in seasons to come.

“In terms of the game itself, it’s actually growing here (in the Territory),” he said.

“Our coaches as well – their role is becoming more important too and there is pathway for them also.”