The dates for trial, selection and for the courses are as follows:
Dorking, Surrey – 6 June 2008.
The SpinVox Adventurers Football School has been created by Dorking FC, and sponsored by SpinVox, the founder and global leader in Voice-to-Screen messaging, in order to help youngsters who might not otherwise get the opportunity to develop their sporting talent to the highest level, creating the opportunity for them to showcase their otherwise hidden talent to professional clubs.
The School will be officially launched on June 14th at ‘Brockham 08’ - Brockham Badgers Euro six-a-side youth football tournament, one of the biggest in South East England, which will be held over two days amongst eight different age groups for both boys and girls.
A pioneering initiative, the School’s programme will be targeted on a staged basis at the U11-U15 age groups for both boys and girls. It is designed to deliver specialist coaching to children who might otherwise miss out – either because their parents cannot afford for their children to take part in organised summer schools run by top clubs, or because they have not yet been seen playing for their local club or school.
Coaching on all aspects of football
Based at Dorking FC’s ground, the School will deliver a series of intensive coaching courses covering all aspects of sports and football development including advice on nutrition, fitness, rules of the game and exploration of the new FA initiative – the Respect campaign. The latter courses will be taught by Ray Lewis, Surrey FA Chairman and ex professional World Cup referee. The football coaches employed will be FA Level 2 accredited as a minimum, with full CRB certification and first aid knowledge.
The courses will be linked to London & South East-based professional club academy programmes and each course will end with a match against a professional club’s youth team.
Ensuring talented youngsters get the opportunities they deserve
“No matter how talented a footballer you are, getting noticed by the professional clubs at a young age is incredibly difficult - especially in today’s world when premiership teams are importing young talent from abroad,” says Christina Domecq, SpinVox, co-founder and CEO. “We want to help ensure that those youngsters who already have the talent get the opportunities they deserve.”
All local schools will be involved, through Dorking FC’s local community programme across mid Surrey. Dorking FC has the largest youth affiliated club - Brockham Badgers - in central Surrey with over 400 boys and girls participating in age groups 6-16 with Dorking FC running U17 and U18 senior youth setups directly.
Scouting and trials will identify hidden talent
Scouting and trials will be held to identify this hidden talent and, where possible, offer places on the course for a nominal fee or for free. Each of the five courses will run over five days during school holidays, focusing on improving football skills and also aiming to improve the children’s overall abilities by setting rules covering respect, manners, time keeping and discipline – all set in a fun environment that will aid learning.
“Dorking FC has been looking for a way to support football in our community and provide opportunities for young people. This course is unique in that it will give those participating in it an understanding of all aspects of the game – from skills and nutrition to rules and etiquette” says Tony Webb, Dorking FC’s director of football.
“With scouts from different premiership teams watching the coaching and the game against an academy team, the attendees of the course will be given an opportunity that very few have,” he adds “It’s great to work with a company like SpinVox which wants to work with the community to help build UK football from the ground up.”
SpinVox sponsorship
SpinVox will also be supplying equipment, KELME training, match kits and tracksuits for all coaches and participants, together with the provision of football and teaching equipment and meeting the costs of high quality coaching staff.
The sponsorship will also support the setup and administration of the course together with associated advertising and promotion and campaign costs including the setup and running of a professional website.