EFFORTS to enhance know-how and confidence levels in aspiring football coaches within the grassroots game are paying rich dividends, according to the people driving it all on.

Some 84 local football coaches from across the region recently attended an event staged by the Gloucestershire FA (GFA) at its Almondsbury centre, designed to help ensure they were better equipped all round to put their players through their paces on their return to the practice grounds and the matchday sidelines.

The FA Licensed Coaches’ Club CPD (Continuing Professional Development) in-service sessions were delivered by the GFA’s FA Skills Team to coaches involved with teams and organisations throughout Bristol and Gloucestershire.

Such was the weight of importance attached to the day that officials at the hugely popular Hanham Minor League cancelled its fixture programme for the weekend to enable their own coaches to attend the event.

Now more similar sessions have been pencilled in for coaches eager to improve their all-round man-management and tactical skills, starting at the GFA’s Oaklands Park 3G all-weather base on Monday, January 26 (6.30pm-9.30pm), when the emphasis will be on developing attacking play for 17 to 21-year-olds.

Hartpury College is also to host an introduction to futsal course for coaches on Wednesday, February 4, also between 6.30pm and 9.30pm.

Of the successful recent occasion for those 84 enthusiastic coaches, GFA football development officer Scott Milne explained: “The event was led by our FA Skills Team, who provided a three-hour workshop on managing matchdays.

“The session had a practical aspect to it too involving young players from Bradley Stoke Youth, to demonstrate good practice for coaches when working with players on a matchday, and ways to encourage suitable behaviour from parents on the sidelines.

“The practical delivery was followed by a question and answer session in the classroom with the FA Skills coaches where there was much discussion about youth development and the FA’s future plans.”

More information on these and future FA Licensed Coaches’ Club CPD in-service events can be found by visiting www.gloucestershirefa.com/coach or by emailing courses@gloucestershirefa.com To learn more or become a part of the FA Licensed Coaches’ Club, log on to facc.thefa.com