The Kent FA are pleased to reveal details of a far-reaching programme aimed at giving youngsters up and down the country the opportunity to get active and have fun while improving their football skills.
The three-year programme, co-ordinated by The FA and funded by Tesco and the National Sports Foundation, aims to give one million children in England top-quality skills coaching by summer 2010 and The Kent County FA is one of twelve pilot counties in the programme.
A total of 66 specialist skills coaches across the country will focus on raising technical standards at the 5-11 age group, when ball skills are ingrained.
The Kent County FA have recently recruited four full time coaches, who have all completed a three-week intensive skills coaching course.
The skills coaches will put on sessions in schools and clubs, as well as after-school and holiday skills centres, so that youngsters can be inspired to get active and maximise their ability, whatever their level.
The FA Tesco Skills Programme was officially launched at Wembley Stadium by FA Chief Executive Brian Barwick, FA Director of Football Development Sir Trevor Brooking, Tesco CEO Sir Terry Leahy, Sean Holt of Sport England/National Sports Foundation, and Frank Lampard, who led an exclusive coaching session for 20 excited local children on Wembley Way.
The England and Chelsea midfielder said: “The importance of good grassroots training for children cannot be underestimated.
"I remember practising my skills over and over as a youngster and that has helped me reach the top. Whatever your ability, the Skills Programme will help make you a better player.”
Brian Barwick added: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Tesco on what will be a hugely important initiative for the long-term health of English football. We share a firm commitment to keeping boys and girls involved in the game, to ensuring that football is fun and enjoyable, and to giving them the opportunity to be the best players they can be through top-quality coaching.”
Sir Trevor Brooking commented: “At the elite end of the game, there is concern over the skill gap between English youngsters and their European counterparts, which has an obvious impact of our future success as a football nation.
“At grassroots level, the skills programme will enable us to begin the challenge of raising the technical bar in English football at the key 5-11 year-old developmental stage. It is also about providing specialist, quality coaching to give young players an enjoyable, stimulating environment to maximise their ability.”
5-11 year olds can sign up at www.thefa.com/Skills to join ‘the greatest club in England’. On registering, youngsters can watch coaching videos, download skills challenges and get specialist advice and encouragement.
For further details on the programme visit www.thefa.com/Skills or contact Kent Team leader, Robert Udberg at Robert.Udberg@thefa.com.
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