Furthering football: Peter Dohnt is on a mission to encourage young boys and girls to play the game. Picture: ADAM McLEAN
PETER Dohnt is a keen student of the world game. He has been for many years now.
Though only 25 years old, Dohnt has played and coached football for more than 20 years.
The Albion Park man has travelled the world to further his knowledge of the round-ball game.
In 2005 Dohnt visited Japan on a football tour to play and train with top teams from England, Italy and Scotland.
In his own words, the tour was a vital learning experience that "fuelled" his football ambitions to a higher level.
"While injury has curtailed my playing ambitions, the desire and drive to teach football is still great," he said.
"I have a particularly strong desire to teach youngsters who otherwise wouldn't get the opportunity to play football. That's why I jumped at the chance to set up my own coaching school.Football has given me so much.
"I hope that the boys and girls I coach will embrace it in their lives."
He said the aim of Skills and Drills Soccer School was to teach children the finer points of football and build "confidence, conditioning and camaraderie".
Dohnt, who has a national FFA (Football Federation Australia) Youth coaching licence, runs clinics at schools and youth centres during and after school hours.
The program includes running drills and skill training to help young football players develop their talents.
"Last week the three St Joseph High School girls' soccer teams I coached took part in a gala day in Nowra. It was great to see the girls embrace the game and just have fun playing," Dohnt said.
