Last month, a record-breaking number of newly qualified coaches from across the Sheffield and Hallamshire region attended free coach support events.

The events, which were delivered by Sheffield and Hallamshire County FA’s club support officer, Tom Measham, welcomed over 130 coaches across five dedicated coach support sessions.

Over 60 percent of the coaches who attended the sessions had only recently competed the FA’s new online courses, BT Playmaker & Introduction to Coaching Football. The free session provided them with a valuable opportunity to get face-to-face coaching support and connect with others from the coaching community.

Three of the five sessions were part of the County FA’s Spring Series, which consists of four free workshops (the last one taking place on Thursday 23^rd April – CLICK HERE to register) and provides attendees with session ideas, technique insights and advice on how to develop players.

The other two coach support events were organised by the Sheffield & Hallamshire Women & Girls League and the Doncaster & District Junior Sunday Football League, supporting coaches from clubs in their leagues on how to develop young and skillful players.

All the events included a practical coaching session with a local grassroots team, ensuring that every coach attending had the opportunity to analyse a live coaching session.

With little or no face-to-face coaching support accessible during the pandemic, Tom Measham was eager for the County FA to get in-person events going again once safe to do so, in a quest to support the people that keep grassroots football going.

Tom said: “There was such a huge appetite among the coaching community to get back to face to face coach support events, so it was fantastic to be able to fill that void and see so many newly qualified coaches attend the sessions last month - even if it meant braving the elements of the typical British spring weather!

“As a County FA, we are always here to support coaches on their coaching pathway as we appreciate the priceless impact they have on young players in our region. We will continue to provide support like this free of charge, ensuring we retain and develop coaches for many years to come.”

For more information on our upcoming coach support events, visit: https://www.sheffieldfa.com/coaches/coach-support-events