Hello,
We are very happy to announce the next stage of our collaboration with The Football Association to promote their FA Tesco Skills coaching programme for children aged 5-11.
They say "Our unique football coaching programme gives boys and girls of all abilities the opportunity to get active, learn new football skills and enjoy the game. Our specially qualified FA coaches will help your child to develop more than just football skills, we'll help them to make friends, gain confidence, build self-esteem and learn to work as team. Our February holiday sessions are perfect for children who have never played before and also for those who regularly enjoy football"
The FA is hoping to encourage everyone with a child aged 5-11 to take them along to a session and then add their feedback to this thread. Please note the sessions are subject to availability and open to ALL children regardless of ability.
If you've already been to a session or your child attends an after school FA Tesco Skills Centre then we'd love to hear your feedback on this thread too.
The next lot of sessions are running this February half term and are free!
This is in conjunction with the English FA so, with regret, it's in England only.
If you'd like to take part you need to book a session by following the link below:
tescoskills.thefa.com/
Do post on this thread to let us know that you're going along (or bookmark it/ add to threads you're watching) and then report back and share with MN how your DD or DS got on.
Everyone who adds feedback on the sessions (regular after school ones or the February half term sessions) will be in with a chance of winning a specialised 60 minute skills session for their DC's class or club which wouldn't normally be available. The prize session will be open to up to 30 children and could be a school class, football club, brownies, cubs etc.
So please let us know your...
~ Overall impressions of the session your DC attended
~ Coach: what your DC thought of the coach and how he/she compared to others you may have seen/ experienced
~ Skills: what skills your DC learnt/ practised
~ Plus anything else you or your DC thought about the session - would you try to book again? Would you recommend to other parents?
STOP PRESS Additional chance to win
Thanks to everyone who has looked or booked a course for this holiday - we have discussed with the FA about the issue of training sessions not being available in some areas (or being too far to travel to). Rest assured the FA are working hard to try and extend the programme to as many areas as possible - and so, in light of this, we're now opening up the thread (and the amazing prize) to all MNers, regardless of whether or not their child was able to attend an FA Tesco Skills course this half term.
So, to be in with a chance of winning a 60 minute training session with an FA coach for the club or class your child is in please share with the FA on this thread your thoughts about your child and football - for example
what your child loves about playing football
what skills does it teach them
whether they've made friends (or enemies!) on the pitch
how it involves other family members
whether your child dreams of playing for a top club
how often they have a kick about with their friends
- all comments welcome (would be interesting if you could state the age of your child in your response)!
Everyone who adds a comment - or who is able to add feedback on a course their child has attended - will be entered into the prize draw
thanks MNHQ
JustGiveMeFiveMinutes
Mon 04-Feb-13 14:18:37
Once again, no sessions in Merseyside. Loads of football crazy children in socially deprived areas. Thanks a lot Tesco and the FA.
No sessions in my area of Devon. Another deprived area! Figures.
hermancakedestroyer
Mon 04-Feb-13 14:57:14
No sessions within a 25 mile radius of Amesbury either - another deprived area 
Sparklingbrook
Mon 04-Feb-13 15:38:55
We would have to go over 25 miles.
Nothing in a 15 mile radius of me either
Whyriskit
Mon 04-Feb-13 16:25:00
We're in Scotland so nothing here obviously.
Whyriskit
Mon 04-Feb-13 16:47:08
And I do know it said that it was in conjunction with the FA but it would be good if something similar could be rub with the SFA.
Have signed DS1 up for a session in Huntingdon on Monday. I'm working so his dad will have to take him. Will report back
My son isn't old enough, but, of course, there's nothing in Northern Ireland, either.
There is one 10 miles from us, but we will stick with the free sessions at our local YMCA (2 minutes walk), as I wouldn't relish a 20 mile round trip through country lanes.
It's a good idea if you could make it more accessible in more deprived areas, like the ones above.
UniS
Mon 04-Feb-13 20:06:36
Again, nothing in Devon. Not going to travel 50 miles for it.
Rara27
Mon 04-Feb-13 20:25:08
My 8 yo usually enjoys the holiday sessions, however this half term the closest seems to be 20 mins away, so he will have to wait until something nearer comes up
No sessions in Derby. Will look for local YMCAs and leisure centres, but you'd thinking being in walking distance of our local football stadium would have made it more likely.
derbyshiregirl
Mon 04-Feb-13 23:36:41
HI BigSpork
there are sessions in/near Derby as have just booked for Lees Brook School
Thank you for that, I did look again and once again the top results are a county over, and expected them to the closest as that's how these things normally works, had to click through a page or two to find the one you're talking about. Most bizarre and off-putting, their site needs a revamp, maps hard to read as well for me - only look in a small area but has such a big map so the flags are on top of each other.
CoffeeandDunkingBiscuits
Tue 05-Feb-13 00:36:30
Mine is also over ten miles away.
The FA say "we're sorry if our coaching sessions are not available in your area at the moment. We are looking to expand the programme in the near future so please do keep an eye on the website for future updates"
zoez
Wed 06-Feb-13 12:55:40
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Again, rural area, nearest session almost 30 miles away. No good for man nor beast!
RedPencils
Wed 06-Feb-13 16:38:00
I've signed up to Warrington. Went last year and it was great.
I've signed up my ds and minded little boy, they are looking forward to it. Ours is 20 miles away but that's normal for most things we want to do, you get used to it living in the sticks!
phyliszaltman9
Thu 07-Feb-13 21:24:02
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melrose
Fri 08-Feb-13 21:33:30
My 2 boys, 5 and 8 attend an after school session and have done once he start of this term. The coach seems very good and they do some great training sessions, which are more skills based than their usual village training (run by less trained dads!) very good value at £2 a session and would definitely continue next term. There is half term free training on free bit we are away, if not hey would definitely do it and will consider in future holidays.
