Peter Rickards On Chelsea Trip To Denmark
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Peter Rickards furthered his football coaching education on a recent trip to Denmark with the Chelsea Foundation – the Premier League side’s social responsibility programme.
The Bermudian, who has lived in England for several years, was invited to join the coaching team after a former MK Dons Sports and Education Trust [SEC] colleague pulled out of the trip.
Rickards said he was honoured to step in and gained plenty of knowledge during the weeklong visit, coaching youngsters aged 7 to 18 at the sessions held at Danish clubs Saltum IF and Vestbjorg IF.
“It was an amazing experience for me,” said Rickards, who has devoted almost 20 years to coaching and developing Bermudian players.
“To interact with the Chelsea Foundation coaches, who are in and around the academy and first team at the Cobham Training Centre, and pick their brains was a great opportunity.
“I gained so much knowledge and was able to build my contacts.”
Rickards, who set up CP Athletic Development in 2012, forming a youth futsal academy on the island, said he was impressed by the technical ability and maturity of the young Danish players.
“The Chelsea Foundation visits Scandinavia five or six times a year to spread the Chelsea word and keep an eye on potential talent,” he said.
“We had 96 players at the first camp and 85 at the next – the ability and behaviour of the players was exceptional.”
Rickards recently stepped away from his role within the SEC programme at Sky Bet League Two club MK Dons but still holds one-to-one and group sessions in England under the CP Athletic Development umbrella.
“I’m keeping my eye open for other coaching opportunities,” he added. “Nothing had come across my plate which appealed until this trip with the Chelsea Foundation. When a Premier League club comes along, you don’t say no.”
