Press release 10 January 2010

PREMIER SKILLS PHASE 2 KICKS OFF IN KOLKATA

The hugely successful global coach development programme Premier Skills starts a new phase next week 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 (Netaji Subhas Eastern Centre) launch the Premier Skills Phase 2 programme on Monday 11th January 2010 at 3.30 p.m. at the Sports Authority of India, Netaji Subhas Eastern Centre, Sector III, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700098. 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.

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 as a result will become pivotal figures within their organisation and community, responsible for instigating, designing, developing and implementing community programmes. In addition they will 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.

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 www.britishcouncil.org/premierskills, 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 has drawn support from 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.”

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.”

Feedback from participants

"The Premier Skills programme has opened my eyes to the needs of society. It has taught me that there may be different layers in society but the needs of all children are the same. I took the initiative to organise the Shri Soccer League where children from all sections of society are welcome to participate in the league for 10 weeks. I also conduct a coaching camp for under-privileged children with an NGO called ‘Balwadi’ which provides education to children of migrant labourers.”

Keshav Dutt, Football coach & PE Teacher, The Shri Ram School, Gurgaon, Haryana.

"The Government of Jharkhand has recently opened a football coaching centre for girls. I have joined as a Football coach in this centre. Thanks to the knowledge I gained from Premier Skills my centre is running very successfully and contributing good players to the state team.”

Nidhi Sharma, Football coach, Department of Art, Culture, Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of Jharkhand.

"From Premier Skills I learnt the idea of community development. I trained 15 boys in my locality (who had earlier been passing their time by gossiping and developing anti-social habits). They are now playing in the local football league and are responsible and mature citizens of our locality.”

Jayabrata Ghosh, Football Coach, Siliguri Football Academy.

"Thanks to Premier Skills I was able to overcome obstacles and implement a football coaching programme for girls from Muslim community in our locality.”

Priya P V, Lecturer cum Football coach, Department of Physical Education, University of Calicut.

Premier League Coaches

Robbie Earle (MBE)

The attacking midfield player began his career in English football with Port Vale in 1982, moving onto Wimbledon in 1991, for a then record fee of £775,000. He finished his career with around 150 goals from approximately 600 games. The first ever scorer for Jamaica during the 1998 World Cup Finals, he successfully completed the UEFA coaching syllabus with an award of an ‘A’ Licence and he took up a coaching role at Wimbledon and became an ambassador for the Club. Earle also began working for radio stations such as BBC Radio Five Live and Capital Radio London, before turning commentator on television in 2001. He started with Sky Sports and the BBC and is now with ITV Sport; covering games from the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and the FA Cup. He has also worked on the Premier League, Football League as well the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and 2004 European Championships. He was awarded an MBE in 1999 for services to football.

Paul Hughes

Paul works for Reading FC, where is also social Inclusion and projects manager. Paul holds a UEFA 'B’ certificate and has managed and overseen Premier League central projects which include The Princes Trust, Kickz, Playing for Success, Premier League Reading Stars and Premier League Schools Tournament. He was a semi professional footballer for Andover FC.

Andy McMillan

The Hull City Community Coach holds a UEFA ‘B’ certificate, FA level 2, and played for York City between 1987 and1999 and for Ayr United in 1999-2000. He worked at the York City Centre of Excellence 2005-2007, Under 15, 16’s and Youth Team, working alongside Ian Kerr.