– The FA Tesco Skills Programme has expanded nationwide in drive to engage 5-11 year olds into football skills coaching-
The Football Association is set to provide increased opportunities for children to get involved with the nation’s favourite game through the expansion of its revolutionary FA Tesco Skills programme.
The scheme, which has already provided over four million children with first class coaching, is to become fully nationwide this summer.
BARNET, ENGLAND – AUGUST 8: Children look on as coaches talk them through a training drill during the FA Tesco Skills Media Event at The Hive on August 8, 2012 in Barnet, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Sporting icon and mum of three Denise Lewis, has also been unveiled as an ambassador for the revolutionary programme. As one of the country’s most iconic sporting stars, best known for her Olympic heptathlon triumph at the Sydney 2000 Games and regular TV commentary on athletics, Denise’s role will be to encourage fellow mums to get their children involved in the nation’s favourite game over the summer holiday.
The FA Tesco Skills, launched in 2007 and is committed to delivering high quality, child-centred football coaching from expert FA Youth qualified coaches. The programme has supported 21,500 teachers in 7,500 primary schools, along with over 1,000 Charter Standard Clubs in England.
This year it will be expanding to 158 coaches, with every County FA hosting a Skills team and ensuring that the programme has a presence. This expansion comes following investment from The FA, Tesco and Sport England.
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 25: FA Tesco Skills – Leicestershire at the Skills Centre at New College, Greencoat Road, Leicester on January 25, 2012 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Tim Keeton – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
“We started off with a handful of counties delivering The FA Tesco Skills programme, expanded to 26 and now the funding is there for to take the programme nationwide, which is great news because the take up from the youngsters has been fantastic over the last six years”, explained Sir Trevor Brooking, The FA’s Director of Football Development
“The core values of the FA Tesco Skills programme are about getting active, learning new football skills and enjoying the game but we’ve also got the Skills Extra initiative which identifies talented boys and girls and gives them a chance to develop their football education.”
The FA Tesco Skills programme is based on a unique child-centred philosophy coaching model from The FA, making it the leading youth football programme in England. It follows The FA’s ‘4-corner’ coaching model, developing children socially, technically, physically and psychologically, giving them more than just football skills but life skills such as confidence, teamwork, decision making and problem solving. The coaching is also based on The FA Future Game with the aim of developing young players who are comfortable with a ball, creative and have good game understanding.
A recent survey revealed that 93% of parents have seen an increase in their child’s confidence after attending an FA Tesco Skills session.
The sessions, which are free of charge, will run throughout the summer holidays. Visit The FA Tesco Skills website for more information on how to register for a local Skills session TheFA.com/TescoSkills.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 23: Local children take part in The FA Tesco Skills Festival to celebrate 5 Years and 3 Million places at The London Soccer Dome on May 23, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
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