Elite Week achieves its goal

Around 90 of the area's most accomplished under-9 to under-13 footballers went through an advanced academy-style coaching programme at William Parker Sports College last week.

SAFA director Lloyd Biggs said: "The week was a resounding success for all the players who attended and we hope it will grow even bigger next year. The most important thing is that 90 talented local players have been given the opportunity to train and play together in a professional environment. In fact the training they received was as it would be at a professional club.

"What was also noticeable was how much more they were challenged just by competing within an advanced group. The games were faster thus all the players had to make quicker decisions on and off the ball. Although the players came from many different clubs they bonded together and the camaraderie developed between each group was great to see."

As well as the coaching, the under-9s and under-12s were given the opportunity to pit their wits against academy opposition from Barclays Premiership clubs Tottenham Hotspur and Charlton Athletic. Any physical problems, which thankfully were kept to a minimum, were tended to by on-site physio Danny Murphy.

The proceeds from the heavily-sponsored not-for-profit week will be ploughed back into the 1066 Specials team, an organisation founded to provide coaching for children with special needs.