If you already spend your weekends watching your kids play from football from the sidelines, why not get more involved by getting a coaching qualification?
The David Beckham Academy in Greenwich, London, has become well known for its work with aspiring young footballers.
We’ve all heard the stories of how David Beckham wanted to set up the 21st century’s answer to the Bobby Charlton Soccer School – the place that convinced the main man himself that he wanted to become a professional footballer.
But what we don’t hear as much of is the opportunities that the Academy offers for adults. It is a fully approved centre, providing FA / 1st 4 sport coaching qualifications from levels 1 – 3.
Whether you’re a teacher who wants to offer their students more in PE class, a professional coach who wants to further a career, or a mum who wants to coach a child’s local football team, there will be a suitable course on offer.
The Academy, which opened in 2005, is the largest sporting facility of its kind in Europe. It houses two full sized, third generation, artificially turfed pitches, as well as a state-of-the-art education and administration centre, all inside a massive indoor arena.
For the beginner coach, the first qualification needed is the Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Football, a qualification for anyone over the age of 16 who wants to ‘gain a basic understanding of football coaching techniques and practices’.
The course, held at the Academy itself in Greenwich, consists of 27 hours worth of theoretical and practical based activities that will prepare it’s participants for the world of football coaching.
They will learn how to organise and oversee activities such as mini soccer or small sided games, adapt games for different age groups and introduce progressions at appropriate times.
Classes in child protection and emergency first aid are also included within the course programme.
For the mum who wants to get more involved in their child’s football team, this is the perfect start. It will equip them with the skills needed not only to teach the kids how to play football, but also how to improve relationships within the team; from the players, to the coaches, officials and parents.
Like the junior courses, coaching qualification programmes run throughout the year. In the case of the Level 1 Certificate, the course costs £125 and spans ten days, with the next programme beginning on June 6th.
This first Level 1 course is both the shortest and the cheapest. Other qualifications require up to 90 hours of contact time, and can cost anything up to £425.
Rachel Stansfield, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
More info
For more information on the Level 1 Certificate, or any of the coaching courses on offer, contact The David Beckham Academy on 0208 269 4620, or email coacheducation@thedavidbeckhamacademy.com
