GORLESTON footballer DJ Kareche enjoyed a dream day out earlier this month as he received expert coaching from some of England’s and the Football Association’s top names.

DJ, the popular local coach and manager of the Raw Soccer community indoor football centre in south Lowestoft, enjoyed a fantastic day out at Wembley Stadium on December 9 as he attended the FA Coaches’ Association conference, which was held to launch The FA Future Game Guide for Grassroots Football.

Part of the day involved just 18 lucky coaches being selected by Sir Trevor Brooking to take part in a coaching session on the hallowed Wembley turf, and Kareche – who now plays for Gorleston in the Ridgeons League – was able to enjoy the whole experience of changing in the Wembley dressing rooms, getting kitted out in England kit, and then taking part in a 45-minute coaching session, with Steve Rutter, the FA coach education manager.

Other guest speakers on the day included England boss Fabio Capello, U21 manager Stuart Pearce, striker Peter Crouch, former Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce, and women’s boss Hope Powell.

“All in all, it was a fantastic opportunity to hear about the importance of coaches striving to get better, and learning through experience, and having a thirst to improve their own knowledge,” an FA spokesman told The Mercury.

And undoubtedly this will have an effect on Kareche as well, as he plans the 2011 Raw Soccer Coaching programme to benefit all the young players currently attending Mini Kickers, and the After School Clubs at the popular Lowestoft venue.