Saturday Soccer School
Thornton Cleveleys FC runs a Saturday Soccer School at its New Bourne Park HQ for children from age 4 upwards.
The children are segregated in to groups of roughly the same age under the supervision of qualified FA coaches and first-aiders.
The primary aims of the Soccer Scholl are that children should have fun, develop their competence with a ball and therefore increase in confidence. The School welcomes boys and girls who either want to progress to playing team football in the local junior leagues or who simply want to be David Beckham or Michael Owen for an hour on Saturday morning. All the club asks is a fee of £2.50 per session, that children be ready for a prompt start, that they are properly dressed for the occasion and weather and, most importantly, that they are well behaved.
The coaches do not seek to teach children ‘football’ but do try to pass on skills and techniques that children may want to incorporate in to their own game. Though the formal soccer skills such as running with the ball, shooting, turning, etc. are taught, games such as ‘Monster’, ‘Tig’ and ‘Simon Says’ encourage a child’s natural abilities, whilst getting them to learn through play.

How do I register my child?
Easy. Simply bring them along to the clubhouse on Saturday morning. Registration takes place at 10:00am for a 10:30 start. You will be asked for the child’s name and address and emergency telephone number, along with details of any medical conditions of which the coaches should be aware. You will pay £2.50 for the session.

What happens to my money?
The coaches wait until you’ve gone, then drink it! No, seriously, all the money is ploughed back in to the club – paying for the footballs, bibs and other equipment. The coaches give their time freely.

How long are the sessions?
An hour. Coaching starts with a warm-up at 10:30 and we aim to finish at 11:30.

Do I have to stay?
The short answer is ‘No’, but certainly for your child’s first attendance we would expect you to want to observe (a) that your child is happy and (b) that YOU are happy with the set-up. We think that you will get a lot of pleasure from watching your child’s progress and you can do that either by being pitch-side or through the clubhouse window, nursing a coffee and a bacon barm!
If your child is not happy, don’t force them to come. It probably just means they are not ready YET. There’s always next year – we don’t want children equating football with unhappiness or they’ll never want to play.

What should my child wear?
Safety and comfort are the governing factors. In dry summer weather, trainers may be OK, but they are positively dangerous once the grass is in contact with any moisture. If your child is likely to partake in sessions on a regular basis, then he or she will need boots and, very importantly, SHINGUARDS.
So, boots and pads are the minimum requirements for safety reasons. Whilst on the subject of safety, watches, bracelets, chains and earrings should be left at home and eating or chewing during sessions is not permitted.
As regards comfort, you know your own child best. Some will be happy in shorts, whilst others will need tracksuit pants. Some want their short-sleeved shirts, others a light jacket. Dress your child so that he or she will be comfortable in the prevailing conditions. A child in the latest Manchester United kit might look really smart, but if they’re cold and wet their mind will not be on football. Young children are unable to regulate their own body temperatures in the way that adults do, so you have to help them by providing clothing appropriate to the weather. In winter, provide a jacket, gloves and a hat – these can easily be discarded if a child gets too hot. On warmer days, lighter clothing and a cool, non-fizzy, drink will be essential.

Behaviour
All we ask is that children are well-mannered and do as the coaches ask. The coaches have all undergone courses in child protection and a child’s physical and emotional well-being are paramount. Outside of the laws of football or the rules of a game, there is no need for any physical contact between children. Bullying, in any of its forms, is not tolerated and perpetrators will be asked to leave. If you suspect bullying please tell a coach. Similarly, bad language is a no-no and if warnings are not heeded, expulsion will follow.
Happily, neither situation has occurred at the club, nor is it expected to.

Want to know more?
Come and see for yourself on Saturday morning and speak to one of the coaches.