Stuart Pearce and Steve Wigley were on hand to watch local children develop their skills as The FA Tesco Skills Programme was launched in Manchester recently. The England U21 management duo had a chance to see Manchester’s new Skills Coaches in action as youngsters from North Walkden FC received a series of age appropriate coaching sessions.
The event marked the launch of The FA’s new initiative which aims at raising technical standards amongst 5-11 year olds in the County. The FA Tesco Skills Programme, a 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.
Throughout England, a total of 90, full time, specialist skills coaches will focus on raising technical standards amongst the 5-11 age group, throughout 18 counties in England. The Manchester Skills team, who include team leader Peter Glynn, and skills Coaches Clare Mulvenna, Steve Hardman and James Burton, are all fully qualified FA coaches who are trained to deliver age appropriate skills coaching.
The FA Tesco Skills coaches will be delivering at five FA Skills centres across the County, as well as providing Skills coaching in Primary Schools and Charter Standard Clubs in the local area. The sessions will focus on improving children’s technical and decision making skills, fundamental movement skills as well as social skills and citizenship.
Peter Glynn, team leader outlined that creativity is high on the agenda in The FA Skills Programme;
“We want to provide a safe and positive learning environment in which children can engage with the game of football and fall in love with the simple joy of playing the game. All the children who attend the centres will be encouraged to express themselves and develop their own individual creativity through the game of football.”
An ambassador for the programme, England and Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard 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.”
Sir Trevor Brooking, The FA Director of Football Development 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 FA Tesco 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.”
Sir Terry Leahy, CEO of Tesco, the programme’s sponsor, commented: “Being a massive football fan myself I am delighted that we are working with The FA at a local community level. The scheme will encourage kids to get active, have fun and enjoy football, and the great thing is that both boys and girls at any level will be able to get involved.
For coaching videos, football tips and fun games 5-11 year olds can sign up at www.TheFA.com/Skills Parents, teachers and local football clubs can help children progress by supporting them through specially designed football Skills Challenges which are available on the site.
For further information on The FA Tesco Skills Programme in Manchester, please contact: Peter Glynn,M: 07943 862 297,E: pete.glynn@thefa.com