Local coach Kenny Thompson, an Ajax fan and admirer of the Dutch game, is bringing in two Ajax coaches for his clinic at the National Sports Centre.

Called the Kenny Thompson/Telford Electric Football Centre of Excellence Camp, the programme will run from next Monday to Friday, starting at 9.00 a.m. each day and finishing at 2.30 p.m.

And it is by invitation that the youngsters, under-10 through under-15, are being given the chance to learn from the visiting coaches as Thompson concentrates on developing some of the Island's most promising youngsters in those age groups.

"I'm looking at a maximum of 18 players in each category. However, the concept would work with a minimum of eight players in each category due to the Dutch concept of teaching in the four-against-four method,'' said the North Village coach.

Thompson has been to Holland several times and for the third time will take youth teams there for the Holland Cup which is scheduled for late July in Almere, 15 minutes outside Amsterdam.

"All the boys who I'm taking to Holland are invited to the camp,'' said Thompson, who will take three age groups this time, under-11, under-14 and under-16.

It was during his trips to Holland that Thompson met the two coaches -- Jan Pruijn and Theo Worbst -- who he will be bringing to Bermuda this weekend.

Pruijn is the manager of International Youth Development at Ajax and his role includes training of international players and setting up schools in different parts of the world.

"He set up a satellite club called Ajax Cape Town in South Africa and some weeks ago he was in China doing the same thing there and just last week was in Ghana signing a contract,'' said Thompson.

"The aim is to train the young boys in the style of Ajax. They send a technical director to the club to teach the coaches. The aim is to develop youth talent and have the first pick of any talented player they feel can go all the way.

"Also in South Africa they are building a youth complex similar to the one in Amsterdam.'' Worbst played professionally in both Holland and in Scotland at Dundee United and is currently running a coaching apprenticeship at Ajax. Like Pruijn, he is a youth coach.

Pruijn also coached NAC Nijmegen at senior level and was the coach when NAC defeated Ajax in the Dutch Cup semi-final a few years ago. They were subsequently beaten by Feyenoord in the final.

"I met Jan when I went to do a coaching course at the Dutch Football Federation Headquarters and he was one of the instructors,'' said Thompson.

"We kept in contact over the years and he's always expressed a desire to do something like this in Bermuda. From one of our conversations this year we decided this would be a good time to come.

"I'm trying to give the boys in Bermuda a good experience of being taught by two very, very high quality coaches, and give them the opportunity to showcase their talent.'' Thompson admitted entry into the course was "based on invitation and ability.'' "I'm looking for talented players, especially since the coaching is going to be at a very high level. The player needs to be advanced.

"Some of the players I know from before and also from going around and talking to PE teachers...just basically scouting. I'm also working with the under-15 national team so I'm familiar with all the players.'' Added Thompson: "For the younger age groups one of the objectives is to improve technical proficiency and insight into the game while with the under-13, 14 and 15s it's more advanced technical proficiency and developing competitive proficiency.'' Kenny Thompson: impressed by the Ajax style of coaching.