On Tuesday 9th February the Hull Boys Sunday Football League in conjunction with the East Riding County FA ran an event for all managers of Under 7 and 8 teams at David Lloyd Leisure Centre in Hull.
The workshop was a follow up to an introductory workshop that took place in the summer on coaching and working with Under 7 and 8 players.
Prior to the workshop all managers were asked to complete a questionnaire on their views of the first half of the season and the workshop began by discussing issues raised in the questionnaires and suggestions were made for the future.
FA Skills Coaches Sally Needham and Suzanne Smith then gave a presentation on working with young players including information on learning styles and behaviour management.
The main purpose of the workshop was to launch the pilot for touchline marshals in Under 7 and 8 HBSFL games from now until the end of the season. Feedback will be gained once the season has finished on how this pilot went.
All coaches were given an update on the RESPECT programme and advised of the expected roles and responsibilities of a touch line marshal from County Welfare and Referees Development Officer Steve Lazenby.
Coaches were then given the opportunity to act out scenarios that take place at football matches week in week out with some people taking to the role very easily. This gave coaches the opportunity to act out the role of touchline marshals.
Kath Dawson Mini Soccer Secretary for the Hull Boys Sunday Football League stated; “This workshop was very well received and covered many areas associated with coaching and appropriate ways of dealing with very young children.
Managers were given tips on different styles of coaching in line with the differing needs of children.
The aim is to allow young people to play football in an environment that is free from abusive and aggressive behaviour and in support of the FA Respect programme.
This can only be a positive step both for the young people and the game of Football.”
Tony Baker (Pelican United Coach) added the workshop was “a good well presented introduction to mini soccer with a fun interactive part addressing the parent spectator flashpoints which often occur on match days”.