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Do you dream of becoming a football coach, but have found opportunities limited, the cost of the courses too high - or both?

Well if you live in the wards of Erdington, Perry Barr or Ladywood, a new initiative run by The Aston Villa Foundation could well be the answer to your prayers.

The Foundation are offering local football coaches the chance to take their first step on the FA’s coaching ladder via the Supporting Our Own small grants scheme.

Fully funded by the Supporting Our Own initiative, the Foundation has 18 spaces on an FA Level 1 Coaching course on offer for aspiring coaches who are over the age of 16.

Applications are invited from people who need support to gain their qualifications in order to activate football projects or enhance local club coaching.

Corinne Mitchell, who combines her role as a Workforce Development Officer for the Foundation with her Aston Villa Ladies coaching duties, believes the grassroots support scheme offers a great opportunity to give the right people a start in coaching.

She said: “This is a key stepping stone to progressing up the coaching ladder as well as helping to develop the quality of football delivery in and around the city.

“This is something that can be life changing for whoever is successful and could give them the motivation to succeed and progress in life as well as developing football players in the city.”

Applicants must be able to attend six dates in June to complete the course, which will take place in the Academy Building at Villa Park, and commit to completing all modules set by Birmingham FA.

The FA Level 1 in Coaching, which usually costs £165, provides an introduction to coaching the game and working with players from U7s to adult age groups.

The grants have been made possible thanks to a donation from the Aston Villa Lions supporters clubs, as well as from the proceeds of the Fifty50 matchday draw, which takes place at every Aston Villa home game.

Supporting Our Own, the club’s Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy which launched in September, was introduced to support the delivery of projects and activities in and around Birmingham to promote sport, health, wellbeing, education and inclusive opportunities.

The grant is only open to those based in the following areas:

Erdington – Kingstanding, Stockland Green, Erdington and Tyburn wards

Perry Barr – Oscott, Perry Barr, Handsworth Wood, Lozells and East Handsworth wards

Ladywood – Aston, Soho, Ladywood and Nechells wards

Those wishing to apply for a place on the FA Level 1 in Coaching course will need to complete an application form by 27 April. You must be available to attend sessions on 5, 11, 12, 18, 19 and 26 June.

If you would like an application form, please email foundation@avfc.co.uk with the subject line ‘Grassroots Support Scheme’.

Read more at http://ladies.avfc.co.uk/news/grab_your_place_on_free_coaching_course.html#CQejZiFRajW3oRoB.99

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