Rangers partner with Bermudian club

[craig 5,199]

Shameless self -promotion.... this is my son's team (see if you can spot him, shouldnt be hard....) that are in Glasgow just now training with Greg Statt and Rangers coaches... my kids team were undefeated in their 2004 birth year tournament, winning 6 games and drawing 1 - the one they drew was against a team that has 5 kids signed up to the Rangers Academy next year - so our boys did well.

 

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/rangers/rangers-bermuda-spy-angle-131131n.21668571

 

As part of their International Soccer Schools programme, the Glasgow giants have signed a deal with Bermudan side North Village, following link-ups between clubs in America, Australia and New Zealand.

 

It will see Gers coaches share methods and techniques with their North Atlantic partners and open up another pathway to take the Rangers brand across the world, as teams from the North Village youth system benefit from trips to Murray Park and the insight of the Light Blues staff.

 

A group of 18 youngsters made the journey to Glasgow last week as part of the historic agreement and Rangers Overseas Development Officer Greg Statt is delighted with the latest piece in the worldwide Gers jigsaw.

 

"One of the guys from North Village, who is Scottish and has been living out there for 15 years, is a Rangers fan," Statt told SportTimes.

 

"He had seen that we do overseas soccer schools and formal affiliations so he got in touch and we have been chatting for a while.

 

"In April next year, a couple of our coaches are going out to Bermuda to work with their young players for a couple of weeks. We want to keep building the relationship.

 

"We are looking to widen the fanbase and, looking at the players that have been here, there are some talented boys as well. You never know what might come of it on that side of things. It would be a bonus.

 

"We will keep in touch and share ideas and coaching methods. Coach education is a big part of it as it allows us to help them â?? even when we are not over there they can still work at the level that we are working at.

 

 

 

 

 

 

"It is in the early stages, we are still building the relationship. We are looking at a five year agreement with a review every year in how we can improve it or change it."

 

Bermuda may not have a reputation as a hotbed of talent on the world football scene but no stone can be left unturned for clubs as they bid to find hidden gems.

 

Bermudan striker Shaun Goater was given his chance at Manchester United before eventually going on to become a regular for rivals City and turning out for Bristol City and Reading in a distinguished career south of the border.

 

The primary objective of Rangers' new relationship is to enhance the coaching methods and overall game in Bermuda but Statt hopes there could be benefits for the Ibrox first team if a star shines bright enough.

 

HE SAID: "It is a soccer school relationship that we are building so it will all be youth players we are working with.

 

"It is not what the relationship is built on but we wouldn't be doing our jobs or the best for Rangers if we weren't looking at their talented players. We will put a pathway in place so that if there is someone who looks to be at the right level then they can come over.

 

"They will visit us every year and work with us and we will visit them so we will certainly be keeping an eye out for any young players that have got the talent.

 

"It is tough for kids of that age to go overseas so it is about having the desire to develop themselves as well."

 

Only time will tell if any of the North Village youngsters have the class to make the grade at Ibrox but it is a case of nothing ventured, nothing gained for the Light Blues.

 

With fans all over the world, they are keen to make the most of their glittering history and worldwide appeal, even if Ally McCoist's side still find themselves in the lower reaches of the Scottish game.

 

Their status and pulling power outweigh their current league position, though, and Statt is keen to play his part in the club's recovery.

 

He said: "We have had a busy year so far, we have had camps in Australia, New Zealand and the USA.

 

"We want to bring new fans on board and forge new relationships. Who knows, there might be a player out there that gets involved through the soccer school relationships that one day joins the club.

 

"It is great to see Rangers fans right across the world and to introduce people to the club.

 

"When people come to Ibrox and Murray Park and realise the history and traditions of Rangers, that is when they see how big a club we are and we want to continue that."

[craig 5,199]

I must say too that Greg Statt and his staff have been absolutely outstanding with our boys - they have had a fantastic time whilst in Glasgow. Greg is an wonderful guy and he clearly knows his stuff.

 

And at the Academy levels you can tell that the club are very active with kids locally to see their talent - our boys were handed a 6-0 beating last Friday night to a team that also has 5 kids signed up for the Academy next year - and these kids could play let me tell you. Assured, confident, fantastic touch, patient, disciplined, skilful - some of these kids had everything (One of our coaches wanted their kid to have their photos taken with them as he is convinced they will be future pros).

 

At the tournament, Rangers had 5 scouts there along with Greg and his staff too and you could tell they were really active during the weekend watching players that are being signed up or that caught the eye.

 

I was very impressed with everything that was done by Rangers for us - they couldnt have made us any more welcomed or treated us any better. They have been wonderful hosts, as good as we could ever have hoped for.

[Zappa 0]

Fantastic stuff Craig. It sounds like everyone really enjoyed it and it also sounds like things are looking quite good on this front.

[craig 5,199]

Fantastic stuff Craig. It sounds like everyone really enjoyed it and it also sounds like things are looking quite good on this front.

 

They still have a double training session tomorrow at the complex across from Ibrox for anyone interested in seeing how the RFC coaches work