AN INNOVATIVE soccer coaching scheme is coming to the Fylde in a bid to rediscover the lost art of skill development.

The Coerver Coaching Method has been helping youngsters the world over to improve their game since it was introduced in the 1970s by Dutchman Wiel Coerver.

Not much is known about the system, but all that is set to change with the setting up of courses on the Fylde Coast for the first time.

Qualified and experienced coaches will take youngsters aged between six and 13 back to basics, as North West Lancashire regional director Robin Spinks explained.

He said: "Gone are the days when you just throw a ball on to a field and get youngsters to chase it. We build up the skills progressively, teaching all aspects of ball control from individual moves to one-on-one situations through to team play.

"The course is aimed at boys and girls of all abilities - everybody can improve through it - and we coach in small groups with a maximum of 12 in each."

The system has won many admirers from the world of football including Blackpool legend Sir Stanley Matthews who described it as "the world's number one soccer skills coaching method."

Mr Spinks, who himself has been coaching for 18 years, decided to bring the Coerver Coaching Method to the Fylde after having seen it being operated in Spain and later in America.

He said: "The likes of Japan, the US and United Arab Emirates, where the coaching is used, are not renowned as footballing nations but their youngsters are years ahead of us."

The first course, which is made up of ten 90-minute sessions, will start on June 19 but further courses and three-day soccer camps are planned.

For details call Robin Spinks on 349369.

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