100 Young Leaders from across the Country attended Hereford Royal National College for the Blind for a week during July for The FA Football Futures Camp 2012.
County FA’s were able nominate their two most promising Young Leaders (one male, one female), aged 16-19-years-old to attend camp. Nominations were also received from some of The FA’s Education partners – British Colleges in Sport and Independent Schools FA.
The programme was been designed by The FA Youth Council and offered a range of leadership workshops to the young leaders throughout the first three days, ranging from Media to Futsal to Equality.
Leaders then received a day and a half of training in their chosen specialist areas. They chose between:-
• Refereeing 9v9/11v11 Football.
• Coaching – Developing the practice.
• Football Development – Running a high quality football event.
All leaders who attended camp were already volunteering in Charter Standard Clubs or Leagues and part of their County FA Football Futures programme. In the month that England hosts the Olympic Games, the theme for camp will be ‘Legacy’ and all leaders will be tasked with creating a footballing legacy in their own areas when they leave camp.
From Gloucestershire Pete Haynes and Emily Towle attended the week and came away having been inspired to return to the county and create a legacy to improve football for all in their communities.
“The Football Futures programme has made me feel me inspired, more knowledgeable, and determined to make a difference. It has also given me the confidence to achieve what I would like to, and has given me the invaluable support that I have needed to enable me to develop, which in turn will develop the future game. Producing a legacy has become a key target of mine; a legacy that will benefit the development of football, players, coaches and other young leaders alike, and it is thanks to the Football Futures Programme and the GFA that I will be able to achieve this through their continued support and further opportunities.” Pete Haynes
“It was the best week of my life! I took so much away from it! The main thing I took away from it was that there are so many unsung heroes in the sport and that they need to get more recognition as the work they do is incredible! The whole point of it is to go back and leave your own legacy in your community.” Emily Towle
You can read both Pete’s and Emily’s full story from the past season and their experiences from National Camp via the article below.
If you would like to get involved with the Football Futures Programme please visit our Football Futures page HERE or contact Scott Milne, Football Development Officer at Scott.Milne@GloucestershireFA.com
You can also follow the National Programme on facebook or Twitter:
Twitter: @TheFAnyc
Facebook: FootballFutures
