ZIMBABWEAN football enthusiasts will have a rare opportunity to learn from one of Europe’s renowned football institutions when coaches from the Celtic Soccer Academy in Scotland conduct a two-day coaching clinic at Gateway High School in Harare on June 21 and 22.
The age-specific coaching programme is being coordinated by Transition Football Academy administrator Innocent Hakulandaba, who said preparations were at an advanced stage for what promises to be an enriching football development experience for both players and coaches.
For Hakulandaba, the initiative is a personal one, driven by his own experiences growing up as a young footballer in Harare.
He believes many talented players of his generation missed opportunities to access structured international coaching and exposure.
“What inspired me to organise this camp is that I grew up playing football in Harare and we never really had opportunities where someone came in and taught us the game from a European perspective,” he said.
“Young players need guidance, mentorship and access to information that helps them understand what they are capable of achieving.”
The clinic will cater for players aged Under-7 to Under-18, with training programmes tailored to different stages of player development.
Hakulandaba said younger players would focus on enjoyment, movement, basic techniques and confidence-building through interactive activities, while older age groups would receive advanced tactical instruction and game-management training.
“The drills are carefully selected for each age group. For the younger players, it’s about engagement and fundamentals. For older players, it’s about understanding game situations and learning how to execute solutions under pressure,” he said.
Participants will take part in sessions covering dribbling, passing, shooting, positional awareness and decision-making, while coaches will also help players identify their strengths and areas requiring improvement.
Hakulandaba said the partnership would expose Zimbabwean players to a different football philosophy and modern training methods.
“It gives players another perspective on training and understanding the game. They learn how to recognise mistakes, improve their decision-making and develop the fundamentals needed to take their football to the next level,” he said.
Beyond technical ability, organisers said the clinic would embrace Celtic’s community-based approach to player development, with emphasis placed on character building, teamwork, discipline and personal growth.
The visiting coaches are UEFA-qualified professionals with various coaching licences and experience from one of Scotland’s leading youth development systems.
“They understand not only the technical and tactical aspects of football but also player welfare, safeguarding and personal development. Football is not only about what happens on the pitch; it’s also about developing good values off the pitch,” Hakulandaba said.
A key feature of the clinic will be personalised one-on-one feedback sessions, where players will receive assessments and recommendations tailored to their development needs.
The programme will also include small-sided games and mini-tournaments designed to create a competitive yet supportive learning environment.
“Competition encourages players to push themselves. When one player raises the standard, others respond, and the overall quality improves,” Hakulandaba said.
He believes initiatives of this nature can contribute significantly to the growth of Zimbabwean football by exposing players and coaches to modern coaching methodologies.
“If coaches continue learning and improving, that knowledge filters down to players. Better coaching creates better football environments, and ultimately raises standards across clubs and communities,” he said.
Looking ahead, organisers hope to make the clinic an annual event and eventually expand it into a four-or five-day programme.
Hakulandaba also revealed that the partnership could create opportunities for selected players and coaches to visit Celtic’s facilities in Scotland for football assessments and educational experiences.
Interested players aged seven to 18 can register through the organisers, who will provide detailed information packs, registration procedures and participation requirements.
For many aspiring footballers, the clinic represents more than just two days of training. It offers an opportunity to experience international football culture and learn from coaches linked to one of Europe’s respected football institutions.