Three hundred Level 1 and 2 coaches from around the country took their place at St. George’s Park this weekend for the FA Licensed Coaches’ Club conference.
Guests enjoyed two days of presentations and practical sessions as well as guest interviews with former Bolton manager Owen Coyle, England Women’s international Eniola Aluko and FA Head of Football Development Sir Trevor Brooking.
Grassroots coaches were also given an insight into the workings of other sports, with leading names from athletics providing an alternative viewpoint.
Jessica Ennis’s coach Toni Minichiello and Dr Steve Peters, the renowned sports psychiatrist who helped Great Britain’s Cycling team to their impressive medal haul, both shared key messages for coaches to use in their own environments.
A variety of practical sessions were delivered by The FA’s leading coach educators demonstrating The FA’s Future Game philosophy and practices from The FA Youth Awards were also demonstrated.
Everton’s Academy Manager Neil Dewsnip, who has worked the likes of Wayne Rooney, Jack Rodwell and Leon Osman, provided an example session from the Toffees’ successful youth academy.
Reaction to the event has been overwhelmingly positive, with attendees Tweeting throughout the two days.
Football coach @kevlennon1 was particularly impressed by Dr Steve Peters’s Managing the Mind to Optimise Performance presentation describing it as a “Fascinating, insightful & excellent presentation…about the chimp mind #stgeorgespark”.
While Football Development Officer @keith_parsons found it almost too much to take in when he tweeted, “my 3 brains just melted listening to Dr Steve Peters.”
For some, the conference provided a wide array of new ideas and methods to take back to their clubs such as @JS_Teamwear who tweeted, “loved the 2 day conference @StGeorgesPark lots of learning, came away with refreshing new ideas and not just from a coaching side #football”.
And that feeling was shared by @ProjectCuritiba who exclaimed, “Had an amazing time at @StGeorgesPark and have come back with some great ideas for #brazil #newcastletobrazil”.
The centre itself also left a lasting impression. All of the attendees were treated to tours around the facility where they were shown everything from the Lecture Theatre to the Hydrotherapy pools and the elite performance equipment.
“@StGeorgesPark thanks for a great weekend. Brilliant facility and inspirational people #goodworkfellas” said @bobafett26.
