Release Date: 17/06/2010

Coaches from two of the IFA's Games Development Centres recently visited the Grassroots Live Show held at the NEC in Birmingham.

This annual event showcases all strands of Grassroots football with debates, new products on show as well as many interactive coaching sessions. Guest speakers and coaches this year included Graham Taylor, Alan Curbishley, Tosh Farrell (Everton Academy), Peter Taylor, Tony Carr (West Ham Academy) and George Burley. Stars of the show were Ian Holloway, manager of Blackpool, newly promoted to the Premiership and Northern Irelands own Iain Dowie.

These top coaches were all endorsing the small sided game as the best way to develop our young players and emphasising how much enjoyment must be part of every training session even at Premier league level.

It was an enjoyable experience for all the coaches who came along.

Gary Wilson of Carryduff Colts said "I would recommend this trip to anyone who gets the opportunity to go along. I hope when I put into practice some of the sessions, I will do them justice! This is a very beneficial trip to anyone involved in coaching."

Rodney Smith of Ridgeway Rovers commented "All 3 days were packed with coaching sessions, seminars/debates, exhibitors and practical skills stations for kids of all ages. I personally found the coaching demonstrations to be the most benefit to me. They were easily accessible and were well delivered by coaches at the top end of the game."

Russell Collie of Lurgan Town added "My favourite coach was newly promoted Blackpool manager Ian Holloway who not only put on fantastic sessions but also added great humour into them. He will be fantastic in the Premiership this year. The sessions covered a wide range of topics from passing, movement off the ball, defending as a unit, first touch, tactical formations and also sports psychology."

The trip was organised by IFA Grassroots Development Officers Phil Melville and Keith Gibson as part of the coach and club development programme being implemented throughout Northern Ireland by IFA Grassroots Officers.

If your club is interested in becoming a licensed Co-Op Skills Development Centre or taking part in a Co-Operative Games Development Centre please contact Ian Stewart (istewart@irishfa.com)

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