Health Secretary Alan Johnson, Schools Secretary Ed Balls and Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe today (7 Feb 08) joined FA Director of Football Development Sir Trevor Brooking at the Capital City Academy in Willesden, North West London, to see The FA Tesco Skills Programme in action, and were impressed with the positive impact it is having on local children.
They watched 120 boys and girls from three primary schools enjoy a variety of sessions under the expert guidance of specialised Skills coaches, developing their physical agility as well as learning new football skills in a stimulating environment.
A key component of The FA’s grassroots development work, the Skills Programme is a three-year, nation-wide scheme co-ordinated by The FA and funded by Tesco and the National Sports Foundation, managed by Sport England. Launched last summer, it aims to give one million children aged 5 to 11 specialised skills coaching by summer 2010. To date, sessions have been delivered to over 200,000 boys and girls in 12 countries around the country.
Brooking said: “It was important to show Alan, Ed and Gerry first-hand how football can help government in the areas of promoting physical activity, combating obesity and encouraging interaction among youngsters. Their support will be important if we are to expand the scheme. Ultimately we would like to have a specialist skills coach working in every school-sports partnership in the country.
“The skills programme is about more than just football. It takes a multi-skill and interactive approach, teaching youngsters the basics of agility, balance and co-ordination in a fun, stimulating environment. Every child has a ball, which ensures that they are all involved, and they are encouraged to think for themselves and shape their own sessions. The feedback that we have had from the programme to date has been extremely positive.”
Health Secretary Alan Johnson said: "The Government already recognised and is taking action to turn the tide on childhood obesity. Making sure that children have the opportunity to be physically active in and out of school is a key part of our strategy to encourage healthier living.
“But the Government cannot do this alone, which is why schemes such as the FA's Skills Programme are so important. I was extremely impressed with what I saw at the Capital City Academy today - impressed with the commitment of Sir Trevor Brooking and his team of skills coaches, and with the enthusiasm of the children."
Gerry Sutcliffe said: "The Skills Programme is a great example of how government, sport and private enterprise can work together. It's great to see kids get engaged in sport at such an early age. We have to make coaching of young children an end in itself, and we need the very best working with them so that when they get to the top clubs they already have world class technique. I wish this project every success."
The Skills Programme sees a total of 66 specialist skills coaches focus on raising technical standards at the 5-11 age group, when ball skills are ingrained. The coaches deliver sessions at schools, youth clubs and holiday centres with the objective of getting youngsters active and having fun, maximising not only their football ability but also their problem-solving and decision-making skills. They include former men and women’s England International players, ex-Premier League players and experts in child development and football coaching.
Sessions are geared towards managing the varying abilities of participants in each session and meeting the needs of individuals, regardless of their level. This has been done in association with educational specialists, and ensures that the sessions delivered meet the four strands of the National Curriculum.
Sir Terry Leahy, Tesco CEO, commented: "Being a massive football fan myself I am delighted that we are working so successfully with the FA at a local community level. The scheme is encouraging kids to get active, have fun and enjoy football, and the great thing is that both boys and girls at every level have been getting involved."
Jennie Price, Chief Executive of Sport England, which administers the National Sports Foundation, said: "If we are to become a world leading football nation - by having more flair than the Brazilians and being stronger in defence than the Italians - we need expert coaching to raise technical standards at a young age.
"With ex-Internationals and Premier League stars coaching the young players, this scheme inspires our young talent to be the best they can be. We are delighted that over 200,000 young boys and girls have already received specialised coaching sessions and believe the scheme is making great strides towards achieving the ambition of getting one million children in England top-quality skills coaching by summer 2010."
For more information on The FA Tesco Skills Programme see www.TheFA.com/Skills
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