Premier Skills is a partnership between the British Council and the Premier League; which focuses on coaching, leadership skills, and English language. The initiative has already enjoyed a successful pilot scheme in Egypt and India with plans to expand the programme worldwide.
The Premier League supports a range of programmes in England which includes education, health and equalities through the medium of football. Premier Skills takes the concept to a global audience and helps to build capacity amongst community leaders and managers through face-to-face football coaching, leadership and English language development.
In Korea, we have been working with MBC Youth Football Foundation and Korea Football Association for the Disabled which focuses on the project objectives and selecting participants from social minority groups. In 2009, 43 football coaches from all over Korea participated in this project; with half of the coaches currently managing and being involved in disabled football teams and six participants are disabled coaches. This course in Korea was the first to include disabled participants. A course for Referee Development will start in 2011-2012 year.
The interaction between the coaches and the participants strongly encouraged and empowered the participants’ skills in effective football coaching. Participants also shared how they had been enlightened by not only the PL coaches but also by the other participants, especially on their commitment and dedication to community work with the disabled.
2011 Premier Skills in Korea will be held at Mirinae Camp in Yangpyung, Kyunggi-do from the date: November 11th until November 18th.
