THE Herefordshire Football Association are running two FA coaching courses this summer at their County Ground headquarters at Widemarsh Common.

They will be kicking off their programme with the popular FA Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Football on Friday, July 25.

The course is designed for people at least 16 years of age wanting to gain a basic appreciation of organising football for young players.

Integral parts of the Level 1 course are FA emergency First Aid, child protection and best practice workshops.

The HFA will also be running a week long Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Football, starting on Monday, August 18.

Herefordshire FA football development officer Paul Carpenter said: "The Herefordshire Football Association are committed to increasing participation and developing individual skills and improving standards at all levels of football in the county. At the centre of this philosophy is the FA Charter Standard 'Kitemark' which encourages schools and clubs to embrace minimum standards of safety and coaching provision."

Carpenter added: "Coaches working with children in both schools and clubs now require the Level 1 qualification as a minimum. Clubs who aspire to achieving the FA Charter Standard award need a Level 1 qualified manager/coach with every team. It is no coincidence that parents are now looking for the FA Charter Standard when placing their child with a football club."

For more information on the courses, contact Paul Carpenter on 01432 342179.