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Coach Education

Grassroots Development Centre helps Students gain further Award

On Wednesday 29th November 2006 14 students from the Southern Sports Partnership Coaching Academy at Newry Institute, undertook the Grassroots Soccer Introductory Award by Malcolm Roberts IFA Grassroots Development Officer for Newry and Mourne. This new award offers young people an insight into the coaching pathways and practices at junior level football.

“Having the Grassroots Development Centre on their doorstep is very fortunate because it gives the students easy access to local coaching programmes and further guidance information on careers in sports coaching.” Commented Malcolm.

Alan Curran, Sports Partnership Officer with the Southern Sports Partnership explained, "The Southern Sports Partnership Coaching Academies aim to deliver a quality programme of certified generic and sports specific training courses for young people aged 16 and over. The Coaching Academies are possible thanks to funding received from the European Union - Building Sustainable Prosperity programme and contributions from the three colleges who participate: East Tyrone College, Newry Institute and Upper Bann Institute. The completion of the Grassroots Award gives the participants another step on the coaching ladder and gives them the opportunity to progress to a Level 1."

The Grassroots Award can be delivered to GCSE 2nd Year pupils as well as students. It is a great way to introduce people to coaching whilst giving the candidates a good physical workout.

The coaching application form can be downloaded by clicking here.

Grassroots Award helps Students gain further Award

On Wednesday 8th November 2006 18 students from the Southern Sports Partnership Coaching Academy at Upper Bann Institute in Lurgan, undertook the Grassroots Soccer Award by Malcolm Roberts IFA Grassroots Development Officer for Newry and Mourne. This new award offers young people an insight into the coaching pathways and practices at junior level football.

“Some of these students will go on to assist with their local Mini Soccer Centres and hopefully take up the IFA Level 1 award.” Commented Malcolm.

Alan Curran, Sports Partnership Officer with the Southern Sports Partnership explained, "The Southern Sports Partnership Coaching Academies aim to deliver a quality programme of certified generic and sports specific training courses for young people aged 16 and over. The Coaching Academies are possible thanks to funding received from the European Union - Building Sustainable Prosperity programme and contributions from the three colleges who participate: East Tyrone College, Newry Institute and Upper Bann Institute. The completion of the Grassroots Award gives the participants another step on the coaching ladder and gives them the opportunity to progress to a Level 1."

The Grassroots Award can be delivered to GCSE 2nd Year pupils as well as students. It is a great way to introduce people to coaching whilst giving the candidates a good physical workout.

New Level 1 Course Kicks off in Newtownhamilton

The brand new IFA Level 1 course started in Newtownhamilton on the 19th October 2006 and commenced the practical sessions the following Sunday with 14 members of Tullyvalen FC whose seniors play in the Mid-Ulster league and Newry and Mourne cessation officer Joe McCrink. They made up the first 15 people to through the tasks with Malcolm Roberts of the Grassroots Development Centre in Newry & Mourne.

This is a nationally recognized Coaching Award and, as part of the restructuring of its Coaching Awards, the IFA is now offering this course in line with those being delivered by the other UK Football Associations in England, Scotland and Wales.
The course comprises 24 hours’ tuition time – of which 3 hours is a certified Child Protection module.

Candidates will, in addition to completing the 24 hours’ tuition, be required to carry out 6 hours’ logged voluntary coaching at a football club or centre. The IFA will require that all candidates are successfully POCS checked by its Child Protection Manager and it will also be necessary to hold a recognized first aid qualification. (Available from British Red Cross or St John Ambulance)
Upon successful completion of all parts of the Level 1, each candidate will receive a ‘credit card’ style identification card, bearing his / her photograph and IFA accreditation. First aid qualifications, must be renewed and kept up to date, otherwise this accreditation will lapse. Holders of full Level 1 status may then progress towards the UEFA Licenses at Level 2 and above, if they so desire.

To register your interest in this course click here.

For more information contact Malcolm Roberts, IFA's Grassroots Development Officer for the Newry & Mourne Grassroots Centre, based at the Council offices Greenbank Industrial Estate, Tel: 028 30313244 / 07788 686066