IT may take a few seasons to see them striking or saving goals, but a group of keen youngsters gained some handy hints at Thursday night's clinic with FC Bendigo.
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More than 20 youngsters took part in the clinic at FC Bendigo's training base at Epsom-Huntly Reserve.
Classy midfielder Matt Breeze from England and home-grown product Zac Kinsman joined with FC Bendigo technical director Nick Mammone and senior assistant coach Franz Weimper to run the session.
Mammone said there was plenty of enthusiasm in all drills run at the club's first clinic.
"The boys and girls are the future of our club. They play key roles as supporters for us, and maybe one day they will be playing in National Premier League matches for Bendigo."
Mammone said a lot had happened since FC Bendigo kicked off just over two months ago.
A highlight will be Saturday night's first home game at the Tom Flood Sports Centre in Barnard Street, Bendigo.
Action kicks off with the under-20s at 5pm and will be followed by the main game between Bendigo and Moreland Zebras at 7pm.
Breeze said the first home game took on greater significance as Bendigo chases its first points in the National Premier League's division one competition.
"We are drumming up as much crowd support as we can. It will be great to be playing before a big crowd and at home," Breeze said.
Despite defeats in the opening two games, Breeze said there were a lot of positives for the club.
"A couple of lapses cost us," he said of the hit-outs against Avondale Heights and Whittlesea.
"It's an important night for our club, and we want to put on a great performance," Breeze said of the battle with the Zebras.
FC Bendigo is also gearing up to run a school holiday clinic on April 15 and 16 at Londonderry Reserve near the Girton Grammar gymnasium in Creek Street.
The sessions will run from 10am until 3pm both days.
The fee of $99 includes a clinic uniform.
You can register via the FC Bendigo website or call operations manager Brock Rogers on 5443 2418 at the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League's new headquaters in Mundy Street.