Cornwall FA were delighted to welcome over 70 coaches to Penryn College for The Skilful Player coach development event delivered in partnership with Plymouth Argyle.

A reflection of the event delivered earlier in the season at Callywith College, The Skilful Player coach development event aimed to reach and cater for coaches further west of the county. Hosted at Penryn College, Plymouth Argyle’s special guests provided an insight of the core techniques and skills developed within Plymouth Argyle’s Academy. The event used local youth Cornish players that train at the Plymouth Argyle Elite Coaching Hub (West) which is one of two hubs introduced to further playing opportunities within the Cornwall Player Pathway as part of Argyle’s increased commitment to support Cornish players and coaches.

To kick off the evening, coaches were welcomed by both Cornwall FA and Plymouth Argyle staff before 1^st Team Coach Kevin Nancekivell delivered an activity focusing on developing the player’s ability to ‘juggle’ with the ball. Following this, Plymouth Argyle Academy Head of Coaching Lee Hodge showed the coaches different ways to develop the player’s awareness and receiving skills.

With coaches observing and engaging in discussion with one another, the event progressed to a carousel format identifying a further 6 core techniques, these being:

• Dribbling (delivered by Kevin Nancekivell)
• Running with the ball (delivered by Kevin Nancekivell)
• Defending (delivered by Jamie Lowry)
• Ball striking (delivered by Jamie Lowry)
• Short passing (delivered by Lee Hodge)
• Turns (delivered by Lee Hodge)

The carousel of activities provided an opportunity for coaches to see a snapshot of the core techniques in action, providing ideas around how these techniques and skills could be incorporated into their club training.

Cornwall FA Football Development Manager Daniel Greenough attended the event and added, “as a County FA we were delighted to see so many coaches, from a range of different football clubs, attend the coach development event.

The evening provided a great opportunity for local coaches to gain ideas from the sessions delivered which we hope will add value to the great work our local volunteer coaches are doing on a week-by-week basis.

Additionally, to have new coaches attending for the first time and engaging in the coach development programme was great to see as we hope through our future events as a County FA and in partnership with Plymouth Argyle FC that we will be able to reach and positively impact as many coaches from across the county as possible”.

Feedback from coaches who attended the evening has also been well received, with coaches expressing their enjoyment by the sessions delivered and the opportunity to catch up and network with other local grassroots coaches. A total of 22 different clubs/organisations were represented at the event, with Falmouth Community Youth FC leading the way with 9 coaches attending the event. 

As the season progresses, future coach development events will be delivered across the county so please keep an eye on Cornwall FA’s communication channels. Further information on coach education including courses can be found here.