FOOTBALL: New FA Skills Coach Jack Thurlow has enjoyed his first few weeks coaching 5-11-year-olds in Stanford-le-Hope, and he’s now looking forward to complementing that with a brand new ‘Girls Only’ Skills Centre in Southend on Monday evenings.

FA Skills is a unique football coaching programme which gives boys and girls of all abilities, the opportunity to get active, learn new skills and enjoy the game. Skills Coaches provide after-school and holiday football and also work within primary schools. Skills Centres exist all over the county, and Jack is the team’s newest addition, running Centres in the south of Essex in the Southend and Thurrock areas.

Another Girls Only Centre is getting underway from Friday 12th September at Clacton Leisure Centre. Like the other centres, this creates opportunities for players who want to improve their football skills outside of school the chance to enjoy an extra night of training each week outside their normal club sessions. They’ll take place from 4:00-5:00pm for just £1.50 per session.

Jack’s first introduction to football was when he attended a Colchester United Football in the Community scheme in his local town of Harwich. From there, he fell in love with the game and attended any and every session he could. Jack has played grassroots football ever since and he received a Long Service Award from the Colchester & District Youth League for his time at Harwich & Parkeston FC. He was also part of a successful Colne College team.

To book a place at any FA Skills Centre, visit www.thefa.com/skills or contact: PlayFootball (Southend) Mondays from 4:15-5:30pm for 5-11-year-olds (School Years 1-6) - Girls Only Cost: £2 per session Lead Coach: jack.thurlow@thefa.com Robert Clack School (Dagenham) Mondays from 4:30-6:00pm for 5-11-year-olds (School Years 1-6) - Open Access Cost: £2 per session Lead Coach: (07943) 862303 or rob.obrien@thefa.com Moulsham High School (Chelmsford) Tuesdays from 4:30-6:00pm for 5-11-year-olds (School Years 1-6) - Open Access 4:30-6:00pm for 9-11-year-olds (School Years 4-6) - Girls Only Cost: £2 per session Lead Coach: (07931) 127472 or andy.edmunds@thefa.com Discovery Centre (Braintree) Tuesdays from 4:00-5:00pm for 5-8-year-olds (School Years 1-3) - Open Access 4:00-5:00pm for 5-11-year-olds (School Years 1-6) - Girls Only 5:00-6:00pm for 9-11-year-olds (School Years 4-6) - Open Access Cost: £2 per session Lead Coach: (07931) 127338 or kevin.baker@thefa.com St Clere’s School (Stanford-le-Hope) Wednesdays from 4:00-5:00pm for 5-8-year-olds (School Years 1-3) 5:00-6:00pm for 8-11-year-olds (School Years 4-6) Cost: £1.50p per session Lead Coach: jack.thurlow@thefa.com