As part of the 2015-16 Somerset FA Football Futures programme two Football Leadership Days were hosted at Bridgwater College and Yeovil College. The events aim support the development of young football volunteers between the ages of 14-19 years old. Both days were planned and delivered by Somerset FA staff and the Somerset FA Youth Council.

The young leaders spent the days taking part in a range of theory and practical workshops focused around communication, team work and perseverance. These workshops gave them an opportunity to develop key skills that will support them within their volunteering roles, and help them to build understanding of how football volunteering can support them to further develop transferable skills that will benefit them within education and employment.

Children and Young People Football Development Officer, Kirsty Whitton said: “The Somerset FA Leadership Days are delivered with the focus of developing young people. The aim of the events was to support leaders to develop key transferable skills that they can use within their football volunteering roles. The Somerset FA Youth Council and staff that delivered have done a great job to inspire and enthuse the young leaders to continue to challenge and improve themselves as individuals so they can make a real impact within their roles as coaches, referees and football volunteers.”

“As part of the Football Futures programme they will continue to be supported by Somerset FA and the Somerset FA Youth Council. We are hosting two Football Leadership workshops in March and April as additional opportunities for young people within Somerset.  We encouraged all attendees to go away and ‘have a go’ so we are looking forward to seeing the leaders again and hearing all about how they have put their learning from the Leadership Days into practice.”

Somerset FA and the Somerset FA Youth Council would like to thank both Bridgwater College and Yeovil College for supporting both events.

If you are a young person currently volunteering in football or would like to find out how you can get involved with the Football Futures programme please CLICK HERE or contact Kirsty Whitton via kirsty.whitton@somersetfa.com or 01458 832359.