Courtesy: Swindon Advertiser


FOOTBALL IN THE COMMUNITY: Girls required for new scheme

Saturday 19th May 2012

SWINDON Town’s Football in the Community team are on the look-out for girls to sign up to their Football and Futsal Education Programme.

Town have recently secured funding from the Football League to help set up the course, which incorporates an academic education alongside vocational work and four days of football and Futsal training, plus matches, each week.

So far the scheme has been well received by boys in the region, with at least 30 turning up for trials last weekend.

However, the girls section of the programme remains relatively undersubscribed and, with 17 places up for grabs, the FITC team are hoping for more young talent to put themselves forward.

The scheme’s coordinator, Luke Sharps, believes the programme offers a great route into higher education and beyond.

“It’s a level three sports diploma and this can lead to university after the two years,” he said.

“They also will play football and Futsal, training four times a week and playing matches in a national league.

“Sixty-one Football League clubs have taken this opportunity so it’s a huge, huge project that’s just taken off this year.

“We’re looking for girls - school leavers between the ages of 16 and 19 before this September - to come and join us on this project and it’s going to be a fantastic two years that they will have with us.

“While they’re on the course they can work with us, get work experience in our after school clubs and our soccer centres, learn how to become a coach, go on their level one and two coaching badges - which is a great opportunity.

“A lot of people want to get into sport now and it’s a great way in, to come and work for ourselves.”

The scheme is not limited purely to girls, and anyone interested in claiming a place should contact Sharps in the FITC office on 01793421303.

Meanwhile, there are still spaces left on the FITC development weeks at Swindon Town during the Whitsun half term in three weeks’ time.

The club will be running mixed, girls only and goalkeeping groups, with competitions and tournaments set to be a major part of the courses which will take place between Wednesday, June 6 and Friday, June 8.

Each event begins at 9.30am at the County Ground and runs until 3pm, and interested parties should contact the FITC team on 01793421303 or via www.stfitc.co.uk.




Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com