Premier Skills Phase 2 kicks off in Kolkata

The hugely successful global coach development programme Premier Skills starts a new phase in Kolkata.

Premier Skills Phase 2 will see head coach and former Wimbledon and Jamaica star Robbie Earle joined by Reading's Paul Hughes and Hull City's Andy McMillan from 11th to 16th January 2010 for a week of intensive training for 27 coaches selected from across India.

The British Council, Premier League and the Sports Authority of India launch the Premier Skills Phase 2 programme on Monday 11th January 2010 at 3.30 p.m. at the Sports Authority of India.

In India, the project is delivered in partnership with All India Football Federation, ESPN-Star Sports and Nike. Other partners are Indian Football Association (WB) in Kolkata, Goa Football Association and Kerala Football Association.

Premier Skills has already successfully run in 22 different centres in 15 countries worldwide. In India, initial Phase 1 training courses have take place in Delhi, Goa, Kerala and Kolkata. In Phase 1 around 40 young male and female coaches were trained at each of the four centres.

Following the Phase 1 programme the 160 coaches worked in their respective communities and then were asked to complete a case study write-up on the work that they were doing. A panel comprising the Premier Skills teams at the Premier League and from British Council evaluated the case studies and shortlisted 27 coaches from across India.

Football Sessions

Premier Skills Phase 2 in India brings together these top 27 coaches who have already demonstrated their ability and commitment to apply what they have learnt by running community football coaching programmes in their own communities. This course in Kolkata will build upon the skills and experience that the coaches have already developed during the first phase of the programme.

Led by the expertise of the three Premier League coaches, who are all hold UEFA qualifications, the Indian coaches will strengthen their knowledge and understanding of inclusive community development through football and will become pivotal figures within their organisation and community, responsible for instigating, designing, developing and implementing community programmes. They will also cascade their community coaching skills to others involved in their programmes, leading to sustainability of the programme throughout India.

The week-long courses train aspiring sports coaches and youth leaders to return to their own communities and enhance their existing football sessions, whilst also developing their leadership skills and a greater understanding of the role football can play in tackling other social issues.

Premier Skills has already trained 1,000 young adults around the globe. The project had an initial aim that those participants involved in Phase 1 would subsequently go on to work with 100,000 young people. Evaluation shows that these targets have not only been met but doubled, with an extraordinary 200,000 youngsters involved.

Promising Coaches

Harnessing the huge global interest in the Premier League, the British Council has created a range of football-based materials that include a dedicated Premier Skills website which features downloadable resources for teachers and learners, and the first components of a Premier Skills self-access schools pack, providing materials for teachers and learners of English. These will enable people around the world to develop and build upon their English language skills.

The resources also use the motivational power of football to develop classroom materials that allow teachers and learners to explore key social issues such as health and social inclusion.
The programme is supported by the Foreign Secretary, Rt Hon David Miliband MP, who said: "I firmly support the use of football as a force for development of skills. The Premier Skills project is a shining example of what can be achieved when we combine the knowledge and networks of organisations such as the Premier League and British Council, with the talent and energy of young people and community organisations overseas."

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore said: "At home the Premier League and our clubs have a long-held commitment and reputation for delivering high quality community and education programmes. Given our popularity and success internationally we felt it only right to take this approach to a wider community.

"Premier Skills has taken place in 15 countries, developing 1,000 new coaches all over the world. These coaches have already delivered work that has benefited a further 200,000 young people. Phase 2 of the project, starting here in Kolkata, will build on these achievements, further developing the skills of some of the most promising coaches that we have worked with."

Advanced Training

British Council Chief Executive Martin Davidson said: "We are proud of Premier Skills, our partnership with the Premier League and I am delighted that the second phase of this unique project, which combines English and football - two truly universal languages - is being launched in Kolkata.

"Phase two will build on the excellent work already done in India and give the coaches advanced training which will increase the impact of the project in their communities. In addition to coaching, the Premier Skills website and teaching materials gives millions of learners and teachers around the world an opportunity to improve their English and learn more about their favourite Premier League teams and players."

Head Coach Robbie Earle said: "I am really looking forward to working in India again. I was part of three of the Premier Skills projects that have already taken place here, and saw for myself the talented coaches that existed in New Delhi, Kerala and Kolkata.

"There is clearly a growing passion for football across India. With a real desire amongst the Premier Skills coaches to further develop their skills, and learn more about the role football can play in tackling other social issues, I am sure the project will continue to be a huge success here in India."

Click here to view the interactive map showing where Premier Skills is operating.

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