Story added: 19th June 2020

How the football team have had success with online sessions and workshops over this period

The CSF football department have been among those getting creative to continue engagement with their players since the COVID-19 restrictions came in. 

Over 1600 young players in the male and female programmes usually take part in training sessions and fixtures across the season, but with face-to-face delivery postponed since March, the team were forced to work quickly to provide solutions to keep players active and entertained.  

Jordan Southgate, the Foundation’s Football Development Manager said: 

“In the early stages of the restrictions we set drills and challenges on the stay at home app that was developed by our Head of Curriculum Stevie Bramble.   

“It wasn’t just the activities themselves that our players were missing out on though, it was that contact with coaches and the other members of the group, so we introduced live sessions to try and replicate that as much as possible.” 

The live sessions have included football skills delivered from the home of coach and Football Operations Manager Lewis Plowman, strength and conditioning sessions for older age groups from CSF staff member and personal trainer Luke Sweeney, and a parent and player workshop on a positive mindset and managing potential anxiety from Steve Sallis, the author of ‘Educating Football’.  

The team have also delivered workshops for parents on mental health and support for children. 

The CSF football team are not just about developing players, they aim to develop people; the programmes focus on a holistic approach that teaches values, encourages independence and confidence through a range of additional experiences, and provides a number of potential academic and career exit routes as well as continuing with football. 

Southgate added: 

“The current restrictions have made life more difficult, but we’ve had great feedback from parents about our remote engagement. 

“We’re constantly monitoring government and FA guidelines so that we’re ready to begin in-person delivery when it is feasible for us to do so.  

 “We’ll continue to support our players, just as other departments around the Foundation are doing, until we’re able to get out there on the pitch again.”