ARSENAL Soccer Schools have teamed up with local youth Football team Newton St Cyres and have just begun coaching all players at the club (U7's, U10 and U11's), following a structured programme like the one used at their Development Centres.

Mark Smaldon (Club Secretary at Newton St Cyres) said: "Adam Hayman contacted me in April and explained what Arsenal Soccer Schools was all about. The concept sounded great with a focus on developing and nurturing players.

"The coaching philosophy of Arsenal Soccer Schools was first-class and created a fun learning environment for the players.

"We held two sessions for 5-8 year olds and 9-12 year olds with more than 30 boys and girls attending in glorious weather in the superb setting of Newton St Cyres Recreation Ground.

"From a club perspective, it was a great opportunity, not only for the players to develop their skills but also for the managers to pick up a few tips and tricks to incorporate into their coaching methods.

"Every player was beaming from start to finish and we are now planning how we can work with the Arsenal Soccer Schools team during the summer and on a longer-term basis."

Some of those plans have now been put in place. Arsenal Soccer Schools will be running five training days (10am-3pm) during the summer holiday's every Thursday in August (1, 8, 15, 22 and 29).

These sessions will be held at the Recreation Ground involving many of the players at the club but are open to all boys and girls aged five-12 years old in the local area.

Adam Hayman adds: "The aim is to help local clubs and children, such as Newton St Cyres FC develop.

"Many grassroots football clubs across the country have been kept going through the hard work of many volunteers and parents.

"We now aim to bring our professional and experienced team of coaches to the local clubs, giving the children access to additional coaching, while helping develop their coaches as well and providing a unique link with a professional club such as Arsenal.

"Mark and the other coach's at Newton St Cyres have already done a fantastic job in creating the foundations and a great environment for the children but they now aim to work with them to build on this.

"The children's attitudes in the sessions were outstanding and I would encourage any parents currently looking for a club for their son or daughter, to get in contact with Mark or myself and join in.

"This is just the start of what I hope will be a long relationship between us and the club, with the children's enjoyment and development as the key focus."

Newton St Cyres Youth FC are currently looking to welcome more players to their club. Please contact Mark Smaldon on 07733 455 177.

Training is weekly and delivered by the club and Arsenal Soccer Schools coaches.

The Summer Holiday Training Days run by Arsenal Soccer Schools can be booked online at http://www.playthearsenalway.com/southwest">www.playthearsenalway.com/southwest which also has details of more courses in the area, or for more information please contact Adam Hayman on 07851 161 986 or email [email protected]">[email protected]