Working in collaboration with the Indiana Soccer Association and its coaching directors Todd Sheely and Steve Franklin, we delivered a wide range of sessions for children in the community.

The Blues were in Indiana for Enzo Maresca’s second game in charge as we took on Celtic at the iconic Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday.

Our coaches held their first sessions in Indiana on Thursday at Michiana Echo Soccer Club for 48 boys and girls aged between eight and 13.

This was followed by a TOPSoccer session for 24 athletes aged seven to 16 and they were accompanied by 26 ‘buddies’ from the Echo Premier Soccer Club.

TOPSoccer is a community-based outreach programme which provides training for pan-disability athletes and is designed to promote participation and help youngsters integrate into Indiana and US youth soccer.

Friday saw our coaches head to Elkhart High School and its Lions stadium to put on a session for 32 players aged 15 to 17 during their holidays.

International Football Development coaches Chris Woodward and Tom Atkinson delivered an intense session aimed at promoting good decision-making in the final third and the confidence to play out from the back.

Our focus then switched to the development of coaches in the evening as we were joined by 37 coaches from local clubs and high schools.

The two-hour interactive presentation was designed to share not only best practices but also learn how to implant some of our player development processes into the club environment.

Saturday was matchday so our coaches had an early start as they delivered a free coaching clinic for an inner-city programme at South Bend Community School for 27 boys and girls aged between seven and 12.

Ian Woodroffe, Chelsea FC’s head of international development, said: ‘All of our sessions are developed by our international coaching team, using Chelsea’s methodology to improve technical ability, promote good decision-making and improve their expectations and performance, all while having fun.

‘It is always inspiring to work with groups from the community ahead of our first team games in the USA.

‘As well as delivering great coaching, we also had the special opportunity on this occasion to donate 450 tickets to all of the players who attended and an accompanying parent, giving the children what may well be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.’