FA celebrates online first
Tuesday 27 January 2004
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The English Football Association (FA) has launched its first online qualification - Psychology for Soccer Level 1 - as part of its FA Learning educational programme.
Pioneering project
This pioneering project is the first of its kind to be launched by any football authority, and is available to anyone with access to the internet. The course is aimed at coaches, parents and teachers of 7-12 year olds who wish to gain an introduction to psychology and understand the needs of players.
Learning more
"There are no additional requirements to take part other than an interest in learning more about the subject and an email address," the FA said.
Learning experience
The Psychology for Soccer Level 1 course involves modules which are based on player, coach and parent scenarios which are true to life. "Combined with audio and video technology, the course is a comprehensive, interactive learning experience," said the FA in announcing the course.
Anyone can join
The FA recently launched its FA Learning activities to co-ordinate all delivery, marketing and promotion of its educational activities for, among others, coaches, referees, sports scientists and medics. It has its own website, www.TheFA.com/FALearning, which allows people to book courses online, and carries details of various national and local courses - while also transmitting the philosophy that anyone can join a course and learn, whatever their experience, knowledge or interest in football.
'Get involved'
"FA Learning is about increasing the standards and knowledge of all participants at all levels of the game," said the FA. "Whatever your interests in football, we want you to get involved and stay involved, whether you are a coach, referee, administrator, physiotherapist, medic, first-aider, psychologist, or all of them!"
Course modules
The modules for the innovative Psychology for Soccer Level 1 course are psychology and soccer, motivation, learning and acquiring skills, psychological development, and environment and social influences.
Other benefits
In addition to the course modules, learners will also have the advantage of other benefits included as part of the course fee. These include support from qualified FA tutors, classroom-specific online discussion forums, global online discussion forums and a resource area containing more than 100 articles and weblinks relating to the coaching of youngsters between the ages of seven and 12. Each person who comes successfully through the course will receive an FA qualification in psychology.
Twenty sessions
The five modules comprise over 20 sessions. The FA says that taking the use of discussion forums, resource areas and course tasks into consideration, the course will take an average 20 hours to complete.
'Flexible solution'
As the English association puts it: "Psychology for Soccer Level 1 offers a flexible online learning solution, interaction and support from tutors and students and a host of additional benefits and features."
To find out more and enrol on the course, click here or visit the FA Learning website
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