Western Sydney Wanderers’ teen star Alusine Fofanah at recent Africa Day Celebrations in Sydney (pic: WSW)

SYDNEY, July 3 - Sydney’s aspiring Socceroos and Matildas have a unique opportunity to hone their soccer skills under the direction of the game’s living legend, former Socceroo captain Paul Wade and Western Sydney Wanderers’ teen whiz Alusine Fofanah.

Wade will direct coaching in northwest Sydney at the Kellyville Sports Camps Australia Junior Soccer Camp on July 6-8.

And Western Sydney Wanderers’ teen sensation, Alusine Fofanah, will be a guest coach at all five SCA Junior Soccer Camps across Sydney and the Illawarra.

Boys and girls keen for ‘Serious Fun’ at Sports Camps Australia (SCA) Junior Soccer Camps who hope to snag Paul Wade’s autograph to mark their close encounter with soccer royalty - be ready to return the favour.

“I love coaching kids and giving them the dream of one day doing what I did,” says Wade.

“I tell children I coach if they ask for my autograph, they have to give me theirs in return. And if they play for Australia one day, they have to give me two tickets.”

Wanderers teen star Alusine Fofanah (pic: WSW)

MORE INFORMATION/BOOKINGS - SCA JUNIOR SOCCER CAMPS

http://www.sportscampsaustralia.com.au/soccer/sca/new-south-wales/ w 1800 753 127 p

http://www.sportscampsaustralia.com.au/contact/ e

Experienced personnel, including Tim Cahill Academy senior coach Peter Kofinas and FFA Hall Of Fame inductee, ex-Socceroo and first host of SBS TV’s ‘Captain Socceroo’, John Doyle, head up camps at: Sydney Olympic Park (July 1-3); Earlwood (July 6-8); Sutherland and Kiama (July 8-10).

Five children with epilepsy, between the ages of six and 16, will receive a complimentary place* – one at each of the five SCA Junior Soccer Camps in Sydney and the Illawarra - as part of Wade’s efforts to raise awareness of epilepsy, affecting about 800,000 Australians.

Wanderers attacking midfielder Fofanah has a remarkable story to tell. Born in Sierra Leone and arriving in Australia as a child refugee, he’s already an on-field high achiever.

At just 14, he trialled with the U-18 team of English Premier League giants Manchester City, scoring six goals in two games, before being forced to return home due to visa issues. That’s when Western Sydney Wanderers signed him and he’s now considered part of the exciting talent on display in the A-League and regularly represents the club in its packed schedule of community appearances, including recent Africa Day celebrations.

The three-day, structured clinics to improve your game include:

Superior instruction from high-achieving serving and former professionals

Low camper-to-coach ratio to ensure attention, safety and supervision

Daily lectures, fun matches and focus on development/tactical factors

Campers get an SCA Camp T-shirt; Nike drawstring bag; and Nike soccer ball

*A complimentary place is being offered to children (between six and 16) with epilepsy - for each of the five Sports Camps Australia Junior Soccer camps in Sydney/Illawarra NSW –through Epilepsy Action Australia, which will have all the details on its Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/epilepsyactionaustralia/

About Paul Wade - SCA Junior Soccer Camp Director, Kellyville, Ex-Socceroo captain, Former Sth Melbourne FC captain

Paul Wade was born in Cheshire, England moving to Australia with his parents aged 11. He attained Australian citizenship in 1984, making his debut for his adopted country in Australia's ‘B’ side against Tasmania and also debuted in the National Soccer League with the Green Gully Cavaliers before joining Brunswick Juventus for two seasons, during which the club won the NSL Championship (1985), before joining South Melbourne FC for eight seasons, claiming another NSL title (1991), the NSL Cup (1990) and a minor premiership (1993). He joined the Canberra Cosmos for his final two competitive seasons and retired in 1997. Wade is the second most capped player in the nation's history with 84 ‘A’ internationals (1986 – 1996) covering the 1988 Seoul Olympics and two FIFA World Cup qualifying campaigns in 1990 & 1994. Since then he’s developed a successful football education, public speaking and media commentary career. His 1995 autobiography ‘Captain Socceroo: The Paul Wade Story’ details his exceptional achievements living with epilepsy, reliving the trauma before and after brain surgery. He regularly appears at functions to raise awareness of the seizure disorder and remains an inspiration for high achievers seeking to overcome the seemingly insurmountable.

About Alusine Fofanah - Guest Coach (Sydney, Illawarra), Midfielder (attacking), Western Sydney Wanderers FC Born in Sierra Leone, Alusine moved to Australia as a child refugee and began playing football for Marconi Stallions. At only 14, the midfielder trialled with Manchester City’s U-18 team, scoring six goals in two matches before returning home due to visa issues. Western Sydney Wanderers signed him for the Foxtel National Youth League 2013/14 season and he scored his first NYL goal against Central Coast Mariners and made his 2014/15 A-League debut in Round 15 against Adelaide United.

About Sports Camps Australia (SCA) SCA was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Sydney, Australia. SCA have partnered with US Sports Camps, the largest and most successful sports camps operators in the world. US Sports Camps are responsible for running all Nike Sports Camps as well as other sponsored programs in this market.

Former Socceroo Captain Paul Wade On TV this year (pic: ABC)

DETAILS SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK SCA JUNIOR SOCCER CAMP - IN PROGRESS

http://www.sportscampsaustralia.com.au/soccer/sca/sca-junior-soccer-camp-sydney-olympic-park/ Location Sydney Olympic Park, Jamieson St

Sydney Olympic Park – MAP Parking Blaxland Riverside Park – MAP Facilities Synth Grass Pitch, Toilets, Parking Dates 1 July - 3 July, 2015

EARLWOOD, INNER WEST SCA JUNIOR SOCCER CAMP

http://www.sportscampsaustralia.com.au/soccer/sca/sca-junior-soccer-camp-inner-west/ 1800 753 127 Location Earlwood Oval, Doris Ave, Earlwood - MAP Facilities Grass Playing Field, Toilets, Parking Dates Mon 6 July – Wed 8 July, 2015 Camp Director Peter Kofinas, Tech Director, Tim Cahill Academy

KELLYVILLE SCA JUNIOR SOCCER CAMP 1800 753 127

http://www.sportscampsaustralia.com.au/soccer/sca/sca-junior-soccer-camp-kellyville/

Location Bernie Mullane Sports Complex, Marella Ave, Kellyville Google Maps LINK Facilities Grass Playing Field, Toilets, Parking Dates Mon 6 July – Wed 8 July, 2015 Camp Director Paul Wade OAM, former Socceroo captain, former South Melbourne FC captain

SUTHERLAND SCA JUNIOR SOCCER CAMP http://www.sportscampsaustralia.com.au/soccer/sca/sca-junior-soccer-camp-sutherland/ 1800 753 127

Location Woolooware Oval, Woolooware Rd (off Kingsway,Cronulla) - MAP Facilities: Grass Playing Field, Toilets, Parking Dates 8 July - 10 July, 2015 Head Coach John Doyle, Former Socceroo, Veteran Coach, Former TV ‘Captain Socceroo’

KIAMA (ILLAWARRA) SCA JUNIOR SOCCER CAMP

http://www.sportscampsaustralia.com.au/soccer/sca/sca-junior-soccer-camp-kiama/ 1800 753 127

Location Kiama Sports Complex (Kiama Sports Centre Fields), 1 Halivah Place, Kiama - MAP Facilities Grass Playing Field, Toilets, Parking, Floodlights, Undercover facilities (for rain) Dates 8 July - 10 July, 2015 Camp Director Peter Kofinas OAM, Technical Director, Tim Cahill Academy/Football Campus Special Guest Jamie Warren, Chair, Johnny Warren Football Foundation (TBC)

Guest Coaches Alusine Fofanah, Attacking Midfielder, Western Sydney Wanderers

Ante Juric, Assistant Matildas Coach, FFA Assistant Technical Director Andrew Dia, Experienced Futsal Coach

Cost: Three day package - $240 - includes: SCA/Nike t-shirt, drawstring bag, and soccer ball Charity Partner Johnny Warren Football Foundation (www.jwff.com.au)