Students studying the Level 2 Football Coaching in Community Settings at Bridgwater College successfully completed their 1st4Sport FA Level 1 Award in Coaching Football recently.

During the five-day intense course, 15 students were put through their paces, concluding with an assessment on the final day. The FA provides a series of training courses for coaches from the level one award through to the most advanced UEFA Pro Licence. The courses are packed with expert knowledge and cover all areas of player development.

The FA Level 1 course gave students an introduction to organisation and delivery of safe and enjoyable coaching sessions for players by teaching them to deliver practical drills to develop a player’s technical skills such as shooting, turning with the ball and heading. Candidates were also required to complete their FA safeguarding, FA emergency first aid training and deliver a 20 minute session whilst being assessed by FA qualified tutors.

Student Nicole Bell from Bridgwater said,

“Throughout the year we have prepared in various ways, like coaching fellow peers and students from local schools who have visited Bridgwater College to take part in our sessions. The week of our assessment was full of many fun activities; we were coached by FA tutor and Community Manager for Weston-Super-Mare FC, Geoff Stevens, with session ideas for our assessment and coaching opportunities outside of College. Next year I am hoping to move on to my FA level 2 and get my qualification to move on in my coaching.”

Jamie Laird, Course Leader for the Level 2 Coaching Football in Community Settings course at Bridgwater College said,

“Our students have been preparing for their assessments since starting in September. They have now begun their coaching journey and have successfully completed their first coaching qualification. I hope they will now go on to complete many more whilst studying at Bridgwater College. This will give them the skills, knowledge and qualifications needed to work in the sports coaching industry. At Bridgwater College we will continue to support their development and make them as employable as we can to give them the best possible start with their career.”