THE POPULAR COACHING EVENT WILL SEE COACHES FROM ACROSS THE COUNTY COME TOGETHER FOR A DAY OF LEARNING AND NETWORKING.

We’re thrilled to be able to announce our exciting and experienced tutor line up for this year’s event which will see the delivery of workshops covering a variety of topics that will be beneficial for all grassroots coaches across the county.

Sign up today for just £25, which includes workshop content, buffet lunch, refreshments and OFA Conference Booklet.

The workshop and tutor line-up includes

Games Principles and Understanding
Vicky Fisher, FA Regional Coach Developer

Supercharge your Coaching Practice
Tom Hartley, Coaching Lead at UK Coaching

The Matchday Experience
Abdoullah Kheir, FA Regional Coach Developer
Vinny Halsall, FA Regional Coach Developer

You can find out more information about the tutors and workshop content further down the page.

Date: Sunday 2nd July 2023
Venue: Whitelands Farm Sports Ground, Whitelands Way, Bicester, OX26 1AJ
Time: 9am to 5pm
Cost: £25

Deadline to register is Wednesday 28th June 2023.

Sign up now

Workshop and host details

Workshop 1: Games Principles and Understanding

Led by FA Regional Coach Developer Vicky Fisher, this workshop is designed to break down and understand the principles of play to help understand their role in both scoring and stopping goals. We will then consider how different practices can support the development of these principles.

The session outcomes will be to:

• Identify the principles of play involved in scoring and stopping goals.
• Start to consider how we plan our sessions to include the principles of play

About Vicky:

Vicky is a Regional Coach Developer for The FA in for the South West. She is extremely passionate about grassroots football and enjoys helping and supporting others on their journey. Having coached now for 19 years working in girls, boys, youth, adult, men’s, women’s and disability football from grassroots to the talent pathway – Vicky currently coaches an adult women’s grassroots team in her hometown in Bodmin, Cornwall.

Workshop 2: Supercharge your Coaching Practice

This practical workshop hosted by Tom Hartley, Coaching Lead at UK Coaching, will aim to help coaches with a range of ideas on how to get the most out of their coaching practice. 

The session outcomes are to;

• Demonstrate a variety of practical strategies to support voice, choice and journey for children
• Create a space for coaches to share experience, good practice and challenges when it comes to practice design
• Encourage coaches to consider how they connect practice with competition
• Generate ideas on how coaches can build player voices into their practice design

About Tom:

Tom has worked as a football coach, and coach developer for over 20 years. As well as working for The Football Association on The FA Skills Programme and as Coach Programme & Pathway Manager and Coaching Lead for UK Coaching. Tom has led the development of women's & girl's football at Arsenal Women, spent two years as assistant manager at Oxford United Women’s FC and is currently Director of Football at Swindon Town WFC.

Workshop 3: The Match Day Experience

“Can we play a match” - one of the most common phrases we hear when working with enthusiastic players who love the game. How do we as coaches, supporters and volunteers help keep that life-long love for the game and provide the best possible experiences we can when it comes to a match day?

In this workshop hosted by Abdoullah Kheir, FA Regional Coach Developer & Vinny Halsall, FA Regional Coach Developer, we will aim to explore some of the challenges faced by coaches on a match day but also, the opportunities that it presents in terms of the following key aspects:

• Linking training to a match day.
• Supporting the learning and enjoyment of the players.
• How to plan, deliver and reflect effectively in relation to match day.

We will explore these areas through practical delivery and discussion to help you make the most of the favourite part of the week and give you some food for thought to support you throughout the season, with some hints, tips and ideas for you to take away and try out with your own players.

About Vinny:

Vinny works for The FA as Regional Coach Developer and leads on Physical Education across the South West Region. Vinny is an experienced coach educator and has various roles with The FA and is also grassroots coach in Oxfordshire with Easington Sports FC U14s.

About Abdoullah:

Abdoullah works for The FA as Regional Coach Developer and leads on Diversity & Inclusion in the South-West Region. Abdoullah has had coaching roles with Brentford FC, AFC Wimbledon Women’s, and Reading FC RTC.