Football’s coming home
Football coaching students from Hugh Baird College have recently been treated to a behind-the-scenes visit to The Football Association’s National Football Centre; St George’s Park.
Football coaching students from Hugh Baird College have recently been treated to a behind-the-scenes visit to The Football Association’s National Football Centre; St George’s Park.
A group of students from the range of football coaching courses offered by the college travelled to the state of the art centre where they met with representatives from the FA to discover more about the centre and the potential careers that their coaching qualifications could take them on to.
The National Football Centre is set in 330 acres of beautiful Staffordshire countryside and whilst touring the facilities, the students learnt about the history and heritage of the site, toured the elite outdoor pitches including the elite Wembley replica pitch, the FIFA standard indoor 3G pitch, the multi-sport indoor hall that is used for Futsal and the specially designed pitch for the partially-sighted.
In addition to viewing the facilities of the centre, the students quizzed staff about how coaches tailor their sessions in order to assist other professionals based at the centre such as sport scientists, psychologist, nutritionists and sport medicine experts.
Level 3 Football Coaching student Tom Gillett from Netherton, said:
The visit to St George’s Park was a real eye opener. I had heard a lot about the centre, but to get to visit one of the best football centres in the world was a dream come true. It has definitely made me want to work there one day.
Phil Oliver, Hugh Baird College Football Lecturer said:
We would like to thank the FA for inviting us to visit their centre. Hugh Baird College always strive to enhance career possibilities for students to go on to after straight from their studies. I am confident that thanks to this aspirational trip to St George’s Park and the high level teaching we provide our learners, we will one day have an ex-student developing England’s top footballers.
