Football coaching classes at Perth College

Dec 1 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

TODAY sees a group of Perth and Kinross schools' senior pupils and Perth College students completing their first level of Football Coach Education, accredited by the Scottish Football Association.

The course will be delivered by ex-professional and Scottish FA tutor Jimmy Bone.

The course is organised in partnership between Perth and Kinross Council's Active Schools’ service and the SFA, and is funded by the Scottish FA through Cashback for Communities, with in-kind support from PKC.

It is widely recognised that volunteers are the backbone of Scottish football, yet recent evidence has highlighted the decreasing numbers of volunteers in the game.

It is natural for young people to want to volunteer, and there is evidence to suggest that a positive volunteering experience at a young age leads to the likelihood of volunteering in future.

Young coaches can offer energy, enthusiasm and inspiration, as well as the ability to relate positively to other young people through sport.

By completing this course and doing some voluntary football coaching in local schools and programmes, these young coaches are well on the road to becoming future active citizens, as well as improving their CV and job prospects.

It’s hoped the course has helped to further stimulate an interest in coaching football for these young people and that football will benefit in the future.