As well as enjoying an entertaining Christmas meal, December’s six month review of The FA Skills programme provided a perfect opportunity for all those involved to look back at the work done so far.

With the programme successfully active in 12 counties across the country, bringing together the 66 Skills coaches at Lilleshall ensured plenty of healthy debate and discussion.

Amongst other things, the nationwide team of coaches had opportunities to share methods of good practice, exchange ideas and outline strategies for overcoming common difficulties.

With Skills teams working as far apart as Durham to Dorset, discussing the intricacies of individual regional programmes provided an opportunity to reflect on the impact of the programme as a whole.

Learning of the different methods adopted from county to county highlighted the continuing need for a flexible and adaptable approach, specific to each area, as the programme continues to develop.

Success

Since the project’s infancy at Keele University in July last year, more than 150,000 boys and girls between the ages of 5-11 have benefited from the work done by the Skills Coaches.

A slideshow, showcasing some of the work completed around the country illuminated a host of good practice. With positive feedback from a selection of teachers, parents and players also shared, it proved to be a heartening tribute to the excellent work completed in the first six months.

Patience

Not all the talk however was congratulatory. Across the country regional teams have faced varying problems in their attempts to spread the Skills message.

Working with those in the junior game who are accustomed to methods of coaching based on tradition and emulation represents a big task in the year ahead.

Encouraging a shared understanding of the learning philosophies which underpin the programme and getting people to see things from the child’s perspective will require time and patience from all the coaches.

Looking forward

One of the major focuses for the programme in 2008 will be the provision of high quality Football/PE lessons for Primary Schools.

As part of the coaches' continual training, practical and theory sessions were partaken in, to ensure that fun, active and educationally sound lessons will be delivered to primary school children throughout 2008 and beyond.

Before departing, FA Director of Football Development, Sir Trevor Brooking, passed on the good news about the future of the National Football Centre, outlined the battle ahead for Youth Development in this country and left all present to enter into 2008 knowing there is a lot of hard work still to be done.

For more information on The FA Skills Programme and details of how you can get involved please click here for more details.

To comment on this article please email pete.glynn@thefa.com.