Soccer Kickabouts will be a blast (From Thurrock Gazette)

Chance to test your soccer skills

5:00am Thursday 18th October 2012 in Sport

FOOTBALL: Males aged 16+ in Thurrock have the opportunity to enjoy football in any one of three fun and flexible Mars Just Play ‘Kickabouts’ nearby on Mondays or Thursdays as GetIntoFootball Thurrock Officer Faye Lambert invites them to come and try the game or get back their boots back on after a spell on the touchline!

The content of the sessions varies from centre to centre, but the key idea is to get participants as much playing time as possible at a pace that suits them. There is no upper age limit, and the kickabouts are open for newcomers to enjoy the small-sided sessions or to acts as the perfect way to return after a period out of the game.

Equipment is provided and the qualified FA staff who organise the sessions are able to flag-up the options available to link into local clubs or progress, depending on needs or requirements. Warm-ups, skills and drills can be arranged as desired - it’s very participant led and flexible with the FA Mars Just Play Organisers providing the structure and organisation.

Kickabouts take place at three venues, including the sports hall at Hassenbrook School in Stanford-le-Hope which is booked on Mondays from 7:00-9:00pm. Across town on Thursdays at the St Clere’s School all-weather pitch, they run from 8:00-10:00pm while Stifford Clays hosts sessions on William Edwards School’s Astroturf on Mondays from 6:00-8:00pm.

Local kickabouts take place under the guidance of Faye Lambert, who explained: “Just Play is growing and growing, and it encourages more participants to get back into the game via a flexible format and session at a time that suits their lifestyle. We understand that 178,000 adults have been involved so far nationally. If the individuals wish to take their football further there are exit routes we can show them, or they can Just Play for fun!”

The partnership between Mars and The FA aims to arrest the decline in participation by getting 150,000 new players enjoying football for at least 30 minutes a week by September 2013, delivering 3.9 million hours of extra football each year. Over 100 centres are located across England to deliver sessions that can benefit up to 50 participants at any one time.

Book online at www.thefa.com/my-football/justplay, call Faye on (01245) 393099 or E-Mail faye.lambert@essexfa.com. There is normally a minimal cost of two or three pounds per session. If you’re interested in small-sided, 11v11 or other formats of the game, find out more at www.essexfa.com.