Ex-Socceroos coach has high praise for Toowoomba school

Former Socceroos boss says future of football is in schools

IN CONTROL: Kavinda Perera focuses on controlling the ball during a skills session. Picture: Bev Lacey

FOOTBALL: The future of Australian football is in places like Toowoomba Grammar School, according to Rale Rasic.

But it's not just the players who will shape the game's destiny.

Rasic, who coached Australia's 1974 World Cup team, said it was the facilities and programs offered by educational providers that would play a key role.

"I said maybe 25 years ago the future of football in Australia depends on the school system,” he said.

"I am in my 10th year of my commitments here, and I love following the development of this wonderful organisation.

"The fields, the new gymnasium, the swimming complex - these facilities this school can provide, no football club can provide.”

Aged 83, Rasic will hang up his coaching boots this year having always focused how best to develop the raw athletic framework of Australian players.

Hiroshi Imai and Rale Rasic talk football during the Toowoomba Grammar School clinic. Picture: Bev Lacey

"Nine and a half out of 10 Aussie kids have physical quality, regardless of height or size,” Rasic said. "What I'm looking for is to be able to develop flexibility, proper technique and play it (football) the easy way.

"But if you are skilled enough when you tackle, when you want to win the ball, intercept or pass - it means you don't have to have the body compliments and you will last longer in the game.”

With more than 170 young players taking part in the camp, the skills of several coaches are being utilised including those of Hiroshi Imai.

The former TGS coach, who is now part of the J-League Youth Program in Japan, is happy to be back on familiar ground.

"I have coached some of the players here so it is good to see how far they have come,” he said.

Like Rasic, Imai is always on the look out for players who can apply their skills effectively.

"It is important for players to have the skills but also to know when to apply them. "And if they make a mistake to learn from it.”

IN TOMORROW: Newcastle Jets technical director Craig Deans and National Youth League coach Labi Haliti were on hand for the first day of the TGS football camp. We talk to them about what they look for in players.

Originally published as Ex-Socceroos coach has high praise for Toowoomba school