By IAN THOMSON

JUNIOR soccer coaches will be getting tips from a master when Frank Farina holds court at the South Grafton Ex-servicemen's Club tomorrow afternoon. The controversial former Socceroos coach who now controls Queensland Roar in the national A-League competition, will be passing on a wealth of information to coaches who look after Under-6 to Under-12 age divisions in the Clarence Valley. He is visiting Grafton under a coaching program backed by Northern New South Wales Football and bread-making company, Tip Top. David Smith, the Football Manager with Northern NSW Football, said the program was designed to support the development of grass-roots soccer in areas like the Clarence Valley. "There are still positions available for junior coaches at the invitation-only session in Grafton," he said. "All I ask is that interested clubs ring me first on 0438 634 684." The coaching session starts at 1pm tomorrow. Farina, who's now 43, was appointed coach of the Socceroos in 1999 after helping Brisbane to its first NSL title in the 1996/97 season. He was at the centre of controversy after a heated verbal stoush with a television sports reporter following Australia's unconvincing 2-1 win over Iraq in 2005. Farina left the Socceroos in June that year, and was replaced by Guus Hiddink.

By IAN THOMSON

JUNIOR soccer coaches will be getting tips from a master when Frank Farina holds court at the South Grafton Ex-servicemen's Club tomorrow afternoon. The controversial former Socceroos coach who now controls Queensland Roar in the national A-League competition, will be passing on a wealth of information to coaches who look after Under-6 to Under-12 age divisions in the Clarence Valley. He is visiting Grafton under a coaching program backed by Northern New South Wales Football and bread-making company, Tip Top. David Smith, the Football Manager with Northern NSW Football, said the program was designed to support the development of grass-roots soccer in areas like the Clarence Valley. "There are still positions available for junior coaches at the invitation-only session in Grafton," he said. "All I ask is that interested clubs ring me first on 0438 634 684." The coaching session starts at 1pm tomorrow. Farina, who's now 43, was appointed coach of the Socceroos in 1999 after helping Brisbane to its first NSL title in the 1996/97 season. He was at the centre of controversy after a heated verbal stoush with a television sports reporter following Australia's unconvincing 2-1 win over Iraq in 2005. Farina left the Socceroos in June that year, and was replaced by Guus Hiddink.