Developing better coaches is fundamental to the aims of St. George’s Park, The FA’s national football centre.

And with over 600 coaches from across the game attending The FA Licensed Coaches’ Club conference over the last three days, the potential for the facility to help develop a national coaching culture has been underlined.

FA Level One and Two coaches from the grassroots game observed FA Coaches, Pete Sturgess, Julie Chipchase, Ian Bateman and Pete Trevivian demonstrate the latest age-appropriate youth practices from The FA Youth Awards.

The practical sessions, which were held on a variety of St. George’s Park’s impressive eleven playing surfaces, focused on setting appropriate game-related challenges for young players, motivating their performance through praise and recognition and the benefits of using a variety of different intervention methods.

Managing the behaviour of young players was also on the agenda with FA Coach educators, Merfyn Roberts and John Allpress, stressing the importance of working holistically with young players.

Gines Melendez Sotos, Spain’s Technical Director, headed Monday’s event for UEFA B, A and Pro-Licence holders delivering a theory and practical session outlining Spain’s successful youth development programme.

Working with players from Derby County’s U18 squad, the five time winner of European Championships at youth level underlined the importance of retaining possession and receiving in restricted spaces.

Many coaches, managers and experts from the game and other sports have attended the conference including Owen Coyle, Chris Hughton, Eni Aluko, Dr Steve Peters, Toni Minichiello as well Stuart Pearce, Sir Trevor Brooking and many more.

To hear the thoughts of some of those involved in The FA Licensed Coaches’ Club conference watch the video in the player above.

Visit TheFA.com/SGP throughout the week for more reaction and comment from the presenters and guests at The FA Licensed Coaches’ Club conference.