19 June 2007
VIDEO: FA Young Leadership Camp 2007
One hundred young leaders have been sampling a wide range of football topics in Ascot - here's how they got on.
The future of grassroots football is in safe hands after the FA Young Leadership Camp 2007 kicked off earlier this week.

One hundred teenagers - selected by their county FA following a period of voluntary work in their area - met at St George's School in Ascot to begin a five-day course covering a range of football related workshops run by FA staff.

From refereeing to goalkeeping, Futsal to football psychology, the youngsters will try their hand at a variety of topics which they can then take back to their local clubs and deliver to other children.

The project is the brainchild of Donna McIvor, The FA's National Football Development Manager, who oversaw the first camp last summer.

"Last year we combined leadership with the different departments of The FA, from Sport Science to Referees" said McIvor. "It was a trial run but we got some excellent feedback. Disability football, Futsal and goalkeeping coaching were probably the three most popular subjects."

While the inaugural camp was a resounding success, the 2007 version was given a little twist. Nine young leaders who participated in the original course were asked to plan and manage this year's camp, a move which has seen more activities outdoors.

"We have developed the camp and made it better," added McIvor. "The young leaders have helped us run the camp, but it has really helped their communication and leadership skills. It has boosted their confidence too."

The majority of those on this year's course will already be focused on what area of football they want to specialise in, such are coaching or refereeing, but sampling the diverse workshops will broaden their horizons.

But regardless of which aspect of football they decide to tackle, more importantly is their retention in the game.

"The main thing is we want them to stay involved in football, particularly volunteering in our grassroots clubs," said McIvor. "That is vitally important. Without volunteers, clubs are dying on their feet.

"We did a follow up with the leaders last year and between them they are doing 150 hours of volunteering still, so it's working."

Voluntary work is the foundation of grassroots football and it is hoped the current intake will return to their local clubs and schools and deliver what they have learned this week.

"We want to map their progress," insisted McIvor. "It's not just a case of coming on the camp. We want to help them, which might mean contacting their county FA. If they go to university then we want to make sure they stay in football.

"This is the future. There will be a lot of young leaders who come on this camp who want to be full-time coaches. Hopefully they will be the skills coaches of the future.

"Chris [Rees] and Danny [Payne], who came on the camp last year are now working as full-time coaches. With people like this, we have to get them on the right path."

There is also an added incentive for this year's leaders as the four outstanding candidates will be selected to travel to Malawi to help organise festivals for local children.

Log on to TheFA.com tomorrow to read an interview with one of our young leaders.