28 Fep 2008
VIDEO: International Relations

See what exactly The FA does in its work abroad, using football to unite and develop communities and societies all over the world.

The Football Association has recognised the excellent work of its international charity partner Coaching For Hope by backing its programme until the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

The FA opted to extend the existing partnership beyond 2007 and the charity, which uses football to empower vulnerable young people in Africa and makes them aware of the dangers of HIV/AIDS, has the full support of The FA's Chief Executive, Brian Barwick.

"The FA is very pleased to be working with Coaching for Hope in the run-up to the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa," he said. 

"Coaching for Hope's work in developing football coaches from the grass-roots up will help to make a long-term difference in Africa and give thousands more children a chance to access sport and vital information about HIV and AIDS."

CFH is already benefiting from its alliance with The FA, with two FA Regional Coach Development Managers – Andy Foster and Chris Dowhan – travelling to Burkina Faso this week to work alongside CFH’s Michael Richardson and Roma Traore in running a seven day 'senior coaches top-up course'.

The charity trains local coaches and educators to coach football and they in turn use the game to spark debate about HIV and AIDS among children in Burkina Faso, Mali and South Africa.

This week’s course in Burkina Faso will add greatly to the pool of CFH senior coaches who have already attended at least two CFH schools in the country and who are now coaching new coaches and rolling out grass-roots football and HIV education courses throughout their community.

CFH's programme officer Michael Richardson said: "The participation of two senior coaches from The FA will be a huge morale boost to the Burkinabe coaches, whose enthusiasm and love for the game couldn't be any greater."

The England Women’s Coach, Hope Powell, is also an Ambassador for the charity and was part of the launch for its South Africa programme in December 2007.

Photos courtesy of Eddie Mulholland.