On 30th January 2012 THE BREWSTER TRUST starts the “School Programme 2012”, a new football initiative in Barbados in conjunction with the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development and coaches from Arsenal FC. Following its Mission Statement to promote, develop and improve football in Barbados and to create opportunities – especially for the youth – a pilot programme has been developed which runs till the end of the academic year and contains in total 31 sessions or 49 hours of football coaching at nine schools on a weekly basis.
Programme Information
Four Primary Schools and five Secondary Schools
The schools for the pilot have been chosen by the Ministry of Education. They are:
- Workmans Primary School
- Eden Lodge Primary School
- Mount Tabor Primary School
- Milton Lynch Primary School
- Christ Church Foundation School
- Parkinson Memorial Secondary School
- The Lester Vaughan School
- St. Leonard’s Boys’ Secondary School
- Alma Parris Memorial Secondary School
The programme delivers football sessions on the field and off the field also focussing on confidence boosts or special needs; a special “Double Club” scheme covers literacy connected to football.
The winner, the youth
“The Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development as well as the Principals agreed in our planning meetings that the sessions are part of the Curriculum which is a clear commitment and also a big advantage especially for the participants. It also shows that we have achieved a positive image especially with regards to quality and organisation since we began in Barbados in September 2010. We regret that we cannot integrate all schools, but we are happy to run this pilot programme knowing about the potential of the initiative”, states Axel Bernhardt, CEO of THE BREWSTER TRUST. In relation with the schools’ selection of students nearly 1’000 young people could be affected by the programme. THE BREWSTER TRUST follows FIFA’s Grassroots principles and teaches also discipline, respect and fair play. The sessions, held on the schools’ fields, are free of costs for students and schools. The most outstanding students will be awarded with the trophies “most outstanding player” and “fair play trophy”.
The schedule
Coaching
- Sessions will be delivered by two Gapper teams, each with two coaches
- Groups maximum 25 students, mainly mixed groups
- Teachers and PE instructors should act as assistant to Gappers; they wish to benefit getting some insights in football coaching
- At every session a teacher must be present
- Every session contains at least: proper warm-up, one drill, game
- Relevant ages: groups covering ages 7 – 17
- coaches are assigned to groups at each venue, they document presence, coaching programme and special events
Coaching elements
- Passing Session, sessions will be focused on basic passing techniques developing the range and accuracy of the players.
- Dribbling and Turns Sessions, these sessions will be focused on developing the players basic dribbling and turning techniques. This will also include: dribbling at speed, slalom dribbling and dribbling with turns incorporated.
- Control Sessions and Heading Sessions, this will include aerial control with the focus on using various parts of the body like feet, knees, chest or a light and short session on heading will also be incorporated into the session.
- Shooting Sessions, basic techniques of shooting with a development focused on shooting with various parts of their strong and weak feet.
- Mini matches/tournaments, small sided matches/tournament s i.e. 3 v 3, 4 v 4 will be played throughout the programme.
- Each session day should end with a competition based on the session they have taken part in.
- If rain makes the field not accessible, class rooms will be provided to teach football rules and discuss football topics.
Double Club Programme
Eden Lodge Primary School:
1.40pm – 3.00pm on Thursdays (80 minutes): 30 min classroom, 10 min break, 40 min field
Milton Lynch Primary School:
10.40am – 12.00pm on Wednesdays (80 minutes): 30 min classroom, 10 min break, 40 min field
Alma Parris Memorial School:
9.00am – 12.00pm on Saturdays (180 minutes), two groups with four coaches.
Group A: 9.00 – 9.45: Classroom, 9.45 – 10.00: Break, 10.00 – 10.45: Field
Group B : 9.00 – 9.45: Field, 9.45 – 10.00: Break, 10.00 – 10.45: Classroom
10.45 – 11.00: Break
11.00 – 12.00: mini matches
Programme start
- Workmans Primary School: 3rd February 2012
- Eden Lodge Primary School: 2nd February 2012
- Mount Tabor Primary School: 2nd February 2012
- Milton Lynch Primary School: 1st Februay 2012
- Christ Church Foundation School: 8th February 2012
- Parkinson Memorial Secondary School: 2nd February 2012
- The Lester Vaughan School: 30th January 2012
- St. Leonard’s Boys’ Secondary School: 30th January 2012
- Alma Parris Memorial Secondary School: 3rd February 2012
Thank you
Finally we thank The Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development and the School Principals approving this pilot programme and of course our partner Arsenal FC and Arsenal in the Community. A special thank you to the four guest families who offered to accomodate our coaches, we appreciate your fantastic support.
If you are also interested to host one of our coaches in future please get in contact with us.
Coaches
Coaches from Arsenal
THE BREWSTER TRUST is a partner of Arsenal FC and the Gap Year Programmes 2010 to 2013. Nathaniel P. Brewster, Vice-President and co-founder of THE BREWSTER TRUST says: “The development of sports based social inclusion initiatives has been last but not least the driver to step in and support the [Gap Year] programme. One approach of our Charity is to have qualified and experienced people who are dedicated to football and are willing to share their know-how.” The Arsenal coaches in Barbados are Yasmin Anderson, Oore Ashaye, Paul Gutteridge and Philip Meier from January to April and Stuart Brown, Sam Ingram, Joe Mitchell and Danny Simpson from April to June who are all staying with guest families. The sessions will be conducted on the school fields by two coaching teams, each with two coaches assisted by teachers and PE instructors. The coaching elements will be inter alia passing, dribbling, turns, control, heading, shooting and mini matches.
Coach Yasmin
Coaching team I, 30th January 2012–6th April 2012
Yasmin visited Education Baldragon Academy from August 2006 – June 2011.
“I have always been interested from a young age and received my first season ticket for one of my local teams at the age of five. I first took up playing football at the age of nine. I played for my school team for three years wining the local school cup the first time the school had ever won and went onto to play for a local girls team Celtic Girls Tayside. I became the Team Captain for a number of years which enabled me to learn about team spirit and working as a team. I then moved onto Forfar Farmington at the age of sixteen which was a bigger set up than Celtic as we did not have a Ladies Section but Forfar had this. I Stayed with Forfar until I left for London for Arsenal Football Club. I also have experience in coaching as I was a coach with Dundee United Under Elevens Team. This was a girls team which I really enjoyed teaching the girls. On achieving my qualifications from Arsenal I hope to gain employment in Sports Football Coaching at home or abroad. I love playing and teaching football which has played a big part of my life and look forward to a future in this line of work. I am a hard working person and will do anything I am asked, am a great team worker and mix easily with adults and children. My aim is to pass on my skills to people younger to me and hope that they can have the pleasure in this sport that I have. With being at Arsenal I have learned how to progress coaching sessions to peoples abilities, be more confident and forward in my coaching and to work with people in different age groups. I have worked with coaches from an age group of 18-40 and have coached at a Local Girls Secondary School in London which was a range of 12 – 14 year olds and I also helped at a Local Primary School which was a mix of boys and girls, this was along with Coaching a group of girls on a Friday night from 6 o clock to 9 o clock. This was football sessions for girls of any age who wanted some football experience. Arsenal Gap Year will have given me and experience of a lifetime which I would never have achieved any place else. I am also learning to drive at the moment and have just passed my Theory Test and will sit my Practical Test when I go home, which give me more freedom to travel. I also like meeting up with friends and enjoying myself going out and certainly cannot wait to explore the Island of Barbados and meet the local children and people.”
Coach Philip
Coaching team I, 30th January 2012-6th April 2012
“After leaving school I joined the Royal Air Force and I am still a serving member in the rank of Flying Officer.” Philip visited the Royal Air Force College Cranwell – Queen’s Commission Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management – and Chesham Grammar School from 2001-2008. His experience in football: “Royal Air Force, alongside performing my Primary duties, my additional duties often included various roles within Football. I undertook both refereeing and coaching qualifications and performed a mixture of both with various representative sides. I have also played in similar representative sides. Through the Arsenal gap year scheme I have gained a great deal of experience coaching football to a wide range of abilities and ages. Coaching in primary and secondary schools is a major focus. Other activities have involved helping to coach adults with learning difficulties and helping with Arsenals social inclusion projects. I have also been involved with Arsenal Soccer Schools during school holidays.”
His Football Qualifications are FA Level 1 Coaching Badge, covered the fundamentals of coaching football with a slight weighting towards coaching young people. “Prior to passing and completing the course, I delivered an assessed session to a satisfactory standard.” FA Qualifications in First Aid and Safeguarding children, essential training in initial assessment and treatment of injuries common in football matches and training sessions and training on important aspects of Child protection. FA Youth Award Module 1, included increased focus on coaching and working with children, in particular the 5-11 years old age group. Covered ways of increasing participation, enjoyment and learning. FA Qualified referee, “the course including lessons and exams on laws of the game, has allowed me to officiate in many football matches of varying standard.” FA Level 2 Coaching badge in progress, completed residential part of the qualification. Greater focus on coaching adults and older children with a far greater amount of advanced technical coaching.
Coach Oore
Coaching team II, 30th January 2012-6th April 2012
Coach Oore’s coaching experience: “The Arsenal Soccer School in South Mimms was held over three days during the autumn half term break. My time was spent coaching the same group throughout, who were all between the ages of four and seven. Each day had a specific focus; first passing, then dribbling and finally shooting. At the City of London Academy in Islington I coached both male and female students. I worked with all years of the school which ranged from age 11 to 18. My responsibilities included coaching afterschool football three times a week, coaching football in P.E. lesson and assisting with multi sports P.E. classes. I also took a boys team and a team of girls to compete with other schools in the Arsenal gap year tournament.” His football coaching qualifications are FA Level 1 Award in Coaching Football. “As part of taking the level 1 award, I completed certificated courses in emergency first aid and safeguarding children. To conclude the course I was assessed on a short football session.” He also has a FA Youth Award Module 1. “The focus of this course is to develop the best environment for children to learn football. This course was very enlightening as to what motivates young players and how to manage players of different ages” and a FA Small Sided Football Referees Course. “This course covered in depth the laws of the small sided game. It is aimed at matches played with five to seven players aside, indoors or outdoors. The assessment for this course was a short examination.” Oore has been teaching English as a Foreign Language, “a short course at St Giles International School that covered the fundamentals of teaching language” and took part at the Challenging Behaviour Workshop & Peer Mentoring Workshop, “these one day workshops were very interactive, involving methods such as role playing to explore the issues around challenging behaviour and peer mentoring.” Oore studied at the University of Leeds September 2008 to July 2011 (B.Sc Economics).
Coach Paul
Coaching team II, 30th January 2012-6th April 2012
Having graduated in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Birmingham, I am currently working towards a career in professional sport, specifically professional football. My educational background is Denefield School from 2001-2006, I played for the Denefield School football team from year 10 to 13, scoring 11 goals in total for the school, and The University of Birmingham from 2008-2011. My experience in football: work experience, Reading Evening Post (Newspaper) Sports desk. I worked here during my Year 10 work experience on the Sports Desk, writing and publishing sports articles. I am currently doing the Gap Year Programme at Arsenal Football Club in youth football coaching, working with local schools, soccer schools, etc, representing Arsenal FC. On a weekly basis I coach three days a week in local schools in North London, coaching football in PE lessons, training and picking the after school football teams also. I coached for at an Arsenal Soccer School in half term also. I have been coached by Arsenal to coach in ‘The Arsenal Way’. Football Invasion 5 a side league co-ordinator and referee, this role involved taking all the necessary kit, collecting money, organizing the fixtures, reporting results, refereeing the matches and depositing the money collected to the company’s bank account. I have been playing football since the age of 4, competitively since the age of 8. I have played for numerous local sides in Reading, and Birmingham whilst at University. I also played in the Intra-League whilst at University, the league competition between halls of residences. I have 5 a-side, 7 a-side and 11 a-side football competitively. I also had trials for Reading FC when I was younger. I once scored 33 goals in a season, in just 22 games. My football qualifications are FA Level 1 Coaching Badge, I am also looking to do my FA Level 2 when I return from Barbados, FA Youth Award Module, I am looking to complete the FA Youth Award Module 2 on return too and FA Qualified Level 7 referee. Football is not my sole interest however, I have interests in golf, squash, tennis, boxing, athletics and cricket. I am a massive Reading Football Club supporter – previously being a season ticket holder for seven years before University, but still go to a lot of games nowadays. Also watch Arsenal now and again! I completed the Birmingham half marathon in 2010 and 2011, raising money for Cancer Research UK and Ovacome. I am also a fan of music having attended Reading and Glastonbury Festivals.”
Coach Stu
Coaching team I, 23rd April 2012 – 30th June 2012
“After leaving university I spent eight and a half years working for IBM in a number of different roles: Management Consultant, Project Manager, Network Specialist and Analyst Programmer.”
Educational Background:
- University of Cambridge: M.Sc. Computer Science
- University of Durham: B.A. (Hons) Modern Languages
- Dame Alice Owen’s School 1991-1993
- Chancellor’s School 1986-1991
Experience in football:
- Arsenal Football Club – Gap Year Scheme (August 2011- Present) Through the Arsenal Gap Year Scheme I have gained a great deal of experience coaching football to a wide range of abilities and ages. Coaching in primary and secondary schools is a major focus. Other activities have involved coaching children with disabilities and adults with learning difficulties, as well as helping with Arsenal’s literacy programmes and social inclusion projects. I have also been involved with Arsenal Soccer Schools during school holidays. As part of the scheme, I have also undertaken both refereeing and coaching qualifications.
- Uganda: I have just returned from three months in Uganda, where I coached 3000 young people in primary and secondary schools, colleges and non-governmental organisations in dif-ferent parts of the country. I also coached S.C. Villa, a Ugandan Super League team, working with full international players and coaches.
- University: I played for the first XI at both of the universities I attended. I was university captain and player of the year at Durham.
- School: I played for the district and county teams throughout secondary school.
Football Qualifications:
- FA Level 1 Coaching Badge – Covered the fundamentals of coaching football with a slight weighting towards coaching young people. Prior to passing and completing the course, I de-livered an assessed session to a satisfactory standard.
- FA Qualifications in First Aid and Safeguarding Children – Essential training in initial assessment and treatment of injuries common in football matches and training sessions and training on important aspects of Child protection.
- FA Youth Award Module 1 – Included increased focus on coaching and working with children, in particular the 5-11 years old age group. Covered ways of increasing participation, enjoyment and learning.
- Qualified to referee small-sided games
Coach Joe
Coaching team I, 23rd April 2012 – 30th June 2012
Educational Background:
- The Arnewood School 2001-2006
- Brockenhurst College 2006-2008: AS level Accounting & Finance, BTEC National Diploma in Business Studies & Accounting
Experience in football:
- Arsenal Football Club – Gap Year Scheme – August 2011- Present. During my time on the Arsenal gap year programme I have gained a lot of experience coach-ing football to all different age groups and abilities. I have coached in London at secondary schools and have also been involved in Arsenal soccer schools during the school holidays.
I have also spent 11 weeks in Northern Israel coaching primary school children, some who have experience in playing the game and some who had never kicked a football before, this involved boys and girls playing the game. Whilst in Israel I also coached a dibility session for 18-22 year olds and coached at various youth centers ages 12-16 years old for children with behavior issues.
Football Qualifications:
- FA Level 1 Coaching Badge – Having undergone delivering a session to a satisfactory standard I passed my FA Level 1 Coaching Badge. This course also including a safeguarding children work shop.
- First Aid Qualified – During my FA Level 1 Coaching Badge I also underwent a first aid course.
- FA Qualified referee (small sided games) – Course including lessons and exams on laws of the game, having passed I am allowed to officiate small sided football games.
Coach Sam
Coaching team II, 23rd April 2012 – 30th June 2012
Career history:
- August 2011- Present: Community Coaching Internship at Arsenal FC
- September 2007- July 2008: PE Technician at Borden Grammar School
Education:
- September 2008- July 2011: Brunel University, BSc second class (upper division) honours in Sport Sciences (Physical Education)
- September 2002- July 2007: Borden Grammar School
Football Experience:
The Arsenal Gap programme has been a major part of my football resume, however I have been involved in football from the age of eight. I have always been within the first 11 within all my teams and in my early years was captain. At the age of 14-15, my team did the double going unbeaten in both the league and the cup. When I was 16 I moved to a reserve men’s semi-pro Saturday side and have played at this level until now. When I went to University I was part of the football club and played games every Wednesday in the University 2nd and 3rd divisions. As part of my Sport Sciences degree I focussed on coaching different abilities and in different environments. Through training I had access to a wide range of coaching knowledge from my coaches: a former Chelsea player and the Brentford ladies manager, which improved my knowledge as a player and in the game. I have played reserve football for Sittingbourne FC, Ashford Town FC and Whitstable FC all semi-professional sides.
Football Qualifications:
- FA Level 1 Coaching Badge – Covered the fundamentals of coaching football with a slight weighting towards coaching young people. Prior to passing and completing the course, I delivered an assessed session to a satisfactory standard.
- FA Qualifications in First Aid and Safeguarding children – Essential training in initial assessment and treatment of injuries common in football matches and training sessions and training on important aspects of Child protection.
- FA Small Sided referee – Short referee course outlining the laws of the game and how small sided games are officiated. Allows for more structure within small sided games during coaching sessions.
Coach Danny
Coaching team II, 23rd April 2012 – 30th June 2012
Personal information:
- currently completing Arsenal Football Club’s Gap Year Program
- dual citizenship, American & German (understand German on a moderate level)
- graduated May 2005 from North Gwinnett High School, Suwanee, GA
- attended Gainesville State College 2010-2011
- coached 30 & under football team in Atlanta for 2 years
- interests include football, coaching, traveling, getting to know different cultures, playing guitar, drawing
Objectives & strenght:
I have a strong desire to have a career coaching football (soccer), either in the US or abroad. I have plans to further my education in that regard as well as get the necessary certifications that are required. I will be working toward my FA 2 license in the summer. The months that I have spent at Arsenal Football Club has shown that I bring the willingness, enthusiasm, knowledge and work ethic that is needed to succeed.
Employment history:
a) August 2011 until August 2012: Arsenal Football Club, London, UK; coach, currently completing the Gap Year Programme in which I have received extensive training on teaching different levels and ages of kids how to play football (soccer).
- From August 2011 to December 2011, I worked in various local London schools to gain coaching experience. While at Arsenal in London, I received the following certifications: FA 1 Level in football coaching, FA Learning Safeguarding Children Workshop, Certificate in Emergency Aid, Certificate as a Small Sided Referee, Certificate of Completion in Working with Challenging Behavior, Certificate of Completion in Developing young people as Peer Mentors, TOEFL certificate, teaching English to foreign language speakers, AIDS Awareness
- January 2012 to April 2012, Arsenal Football Club, Kenya as part of the Gap Year Program, I was in Kenya coaching and teaching children and youth at various schools as well as coordinating and representing Arsenal Football Club in different charitable events in Nakuku, Nairobi and small towns around the area.
- April 2012 to the end of August 2012, Arsenal Football Club, Barbados, last part of the Gap Year Programme.
b) May 2010 to August 2011: Mimi’s Café, Buford, GA, server, consistently provided superior customer service to patrons, responsible for nightly reconciliation of cash register
c) August 2009 to April 2010, Midac Deutschland, Huettenberg, Germany: seasonal worker in car battery factory, responsible for setting up orders and stocking products, traveled with Regional Sales Manager to customer sites to gain knowledge of the business, ensured that stocked products were clean before being shipped to customers
d) September 2005 to July 2009, Longhorn Steakhouse (Darden Company), Buford, GA: started as host but was quickly promoted to server, consistently recognized by management for outstanding customer service as evidenced by several awards such as Most Customer Compliments, Most Side Sales etc.
e) January 2005 to September 2005, Perimeter Church, Duluth, GA: part-time custodial work at 10,000-member church while attending college (Atlanta Arts Institute), helping arrange large church functions, breaking down afterwards
f) August 2004 to January 2005, The Hooch Golf Club, Duluth, GA: part-time seasonal worker at public golf course during senior year in high school, responsible for cleaning golf carts, picking up golf balls from course, assisting patrons with various tasks
Impressions
… can be found in our Gallery.