The scheme - funded through The FA and its partnership with Tesco and the National Sports Foundation - offers help and support to female coaches so that each individual can achieve their true potential. The event took place on Saturday 19 April 2008 at Dayncourt Sports College Radcliffe on Trent Nottingham.

The aim is to increase the number of active coaches in the East Midlands with coaches from Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.

54 coaches of the future participated in the day long event led by Paul Smalley, the East Midlands Regional Coach Development manager who was assisted by Lois Fidler (Englands U17s Women's Coach, above), Jane Haslam   (Chesterfield Centre of Excellence), Sarah Green (Nottingham Forest Ladies Centre of Excellence) and Gemma Grainger (FA Skills Coach).

The day consisted of an in-depth coach planning workshop, followed by an afternoon of practical demonstrations by the guest coaches. Over lunch the coaches had the opportunity to meet Nottingham born Katie Holtham of Leeds Utd and England.

Finally all the coaches completed a personal action plan which will be the basis of future events.

The scheme is the initiative of the Women and Girls Football Development Officers from the five counties: Sarah Teal (LIncs), Sarah Larnder (Leics) Kathryn Hall (Northants) Keely Brown (Derbys) and Trevor Powell ( Notts)

The next event is planned for Saturday 12 July 2008 in Derbyshire.

For more information please contact: Trevor Powell of the Nottinghamshire FA on 0115 9772315  or Trevor.powell@nottscc.gov.uk