Birthday boy Bolt begins Mariners trial with ‘blank slate’
GOSFORD: Usain Bolt has started his ALeague adventure with Central Coast, saying he wishes to work hard, get fit and the rest is up to coach Mike Mulvey.
Bolt’s ‘‘indefinite’’ training period with the Mariners kicked off yesterday at Central Coast Stadium.
A 15minute passing drill, which Bolt completed without any terrible gaffes, was Mulvey’s only chance to judge the Jamaican sprint football skill.
Bolt and Mulvey then addressed the assembled media, made up of almost 100 journalists, photographers and camera operators, for more than 20 minutes.
‘‘I’m entirely out of my comfort zone but that’s why I am here,’’ Bolt said.
‘‘It’s just like track and field. The first day of training is always the roughest one.
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‘‘You can tell how much work you need to put in.
‘‘But it felt OK. I know it’s going to take time to work and I’m ready to work.’’
Bolt claimed he is not setting himself any targets, and that his greatest strength on the park — apart from record pace — is that he is cool under pressure.
‘‘I’m just going to put in the work,’’ he said.
’I have to get fit.
‘‘I’m just here to push myself . . . Iearn and get better.
‘‘As I told the coach from the start, I’m here with a blank slate.’’
Bolt noted he would accept and respect Mulvey’s judgement on whether the Mariners should offer a contract, and that he was ready to play any position.
Bolt added he received offers from clubs in France and Spain but they were not in the top division and he would have had to learn a new language.
Bolt, who will be eased into football duties, had a predictably brief opening hitout.
He was all smiles as he celebrated his 32nd birthday, regularly mopping his brow in sunny and windy conditions in Gosford.
It’s been just over a year since Bolt retired from athletics. He has previously trained with clubs in Germany, South Africa and Norway without being offered a contract. — AAP