66 full-time professional coaches have undertaken a specialist age appropriate coaching course designed to make them world leading experts in improving the football skills of 5-11 year olds. 6 of these coaches are working out of Durham County FA with the following regions being covered: Gateshead, Sunderland, Derwentside / Chester-le-Street, Stockton, Sedgefield / Wear Valley, South Tyneside and Sunderland.

Within Gateshead, as in the other boroughs, coaches are working closely with the Schools Sports Partnerships, the Local Authorities and Charter Standard Boys Clubs to ensure that the programme is having as much impact at on as many children as possible. Included in this work are the FA Skills Centres; specially designed courses dedicated to the long term development of young players.

The FA Skills Centres run on evening time throughout the year in conjunction with the academic calendar. They offer youngsters the opportunity to make decisions for themselves, encouraging them to solve problems and creating environments where making mistakes is acceptable and seen as an important part of the learning process. Splitting the Centres into three age groups gives the young people the opportunity to have lots of practice with young people of the same age.

Gateshead is in the fortunate position of offering youngsters two Skills Centres. The first is at Chopwell Pioneer Centre; a brand new indoor facility that is adjoined to Chopwell Primary School. Providing the benefits of a modern day sports facility makes it a hugely stimulating environment for the children to learn in. The second is at Gateshead International Stadium; a large indoor facility renowned not just in the North East but throughout England. Providing children with a large indoor venue GIS continues to offer brilliant training surroundings ideal for the young people. The details for each of these centres are provided below:

CHOPWELL PIONEER CENTRE (Tuesdays)
5-7 year olds - 4:30-5:30pm
7-9 year olds - 5:30-6:30pm
9-11 year olds - 6:30-7:30pm

GATESHEAD INTERNATIONAL STADIUM (Wednesdays)
5-7 year olds - 3:30-4:30pm**
7-9 year olds - 4:30-5:30pm
9-11 year olds - 5:30-6:30pm

COST - £1 per session (paid in blocks of 5/6 sessions)

**Due to early start and difficulty to arrive on time straight from school, there is a large amount of leniency allowed on punctuality for this session.

For more information on the FA Skills Centre or to enrol, please contact Robbie Pringle (FA Coach) on 07943862272 / Robbie.Pringle@TheFA.com. Alternatively, visit ww.thefa.com/skills or visit your local Skills Centre to pick up a booking form / information sheet.

‘We’ve got to give every 5-11 year old in England the opportunity to play and enjoy the game and, if they want to get better, show them how’

Sir Trevor Brooking (Director of Football Development, The Football Association)