Open training day draws 3,000 supporters

Lineuper Arena was full of children's voices on Saturday as 3,000 supporters took part in the club's annual open training day. The doors opened at ten o'clock and by half past the east stand was already full, with families queueing along Rustaveli Avenue to get in.

Close enough to touch the ball

The first team trained for 75 minutes under head coach Levan Kapanadze, with the stands left open for everyone. Passing drills, a small-sided game and a penalty competition between the goalkeepers delivered the biggest cheers of the morning. Nika Tsereteli saved four out of five against a ten-year-old volunteer, to the delight of the crowd.

Afterwards the pitch was handed to the supporters. More than 400 children took part in skill stations run by academy coaches, while parents could try the same exercises in a relaxed "dads versus mums" shootout.

Highlights of the day

• 3,000 supporters attended, a club record for a training session
• 412 children joined the academy skills stations
• 600 signed shirts and posters handed out by players
• 38 veterans from the 1981 title-winning team received a standing ovation

Seeing the stands full on a Saturday morning, with no match, no result to chase, just joy, reminded us why we play.

Giving back

Donations collected at the gate raised 11,400 GEL for the Lineuper Foundation, which will fund new training kit for six partner schools in the Tbilisi region. Captain Giorgi Maisuradze thanked supporters from the pitch: "You are the reason this team has a heartbeat."

The next open session will take place in the autumn. Dates will be announced on the club website and through the supporters' newsletter.