PICTURES: Benfica football coaches including former Ukraine international Serguei Kandaurov lead Moray youngsters aged 6 to 14 on Coerver training sessions hosted by Elgin Sports Community Trust at the Gleaner Arena
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The world's number one football skills coaching method came to Moray last week.
Coerver Coaching sent two of Portuguese giants Benfica's top coaches including former Ukrainian international Serguei Kandaurov to Elgin as part of their tour of the north of Scotland.
Sessions were hosted by the Elgin Sports Community Trust at their Gleaner Arena football facility next to Elgin City's Borough Briggs ground.
A total of 72 youngsters aged between six and 14 from Moray and across the north east took part in the morning and afternoon coaching, braving some stormy weather.
They were given the opportunity to pose for photographs alongside an exact replica of the Champions League trophy, which was brought to Moray.
ESCT director of operations Robbie Hope explained how the event came about.
"Usually, these opportunities only happen in the central belt, so it's nice for our area to have been chosen," he said.
"Benfica sent two of their coaches, Joao Rosmaninho and Serguei Kandaurov - who's a former Benfica player - supported by Coerver coaching staff."
He said Benfica and Coerver - which is rated as the best football coaching method in the world - have a youth football global partnership, working together and sharing their ideas.
The young players were coached the Benfica way - called 'Think Forw>rd, Play Forw>rd' - which included ball mastery exercises, one-versus-one practices and small group games.
"This was a huge milestone for ESCT attracting the Portuguese league champions to run coaching sessions at The Gleaner Arena," Hope added. "We will be looking to host many more events to provide positive sporting experiences.
He said the venture received some good feedback from the youngsters and their parents who attended.
"They found it interesting with the different culture and way of coaching from the Portuguese coaches.
"Unfortunately the weather wasn't the best, but everyone enjoyed the football sessions with some players winning awards for their efforts.
"Another big highlight was the Champions League replica trophy in attendance that the players and parents were able to get photos with."
