The Football Association’s International Newsletter Issue Thirteen Communiqué
Communiqué Issue Thirteen
England goalkeeper David James • HIV / AIDS awareness in Malawi England offers a word of encouragement to • Next Steps Conference, Zambia stars a young Malawian footballer on a • FA and FA Premier League join forces in Qatar recent goodwill visit to the country • Stadium safety and security in Peru shine in with England colleagues • Breaking records at WOMEN’S EURO 2005 Malawi Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville. • Q&A with Sir Trevor Brooking CAF Football backs campaign to raise HIV awareness
England and “This visit to Malawi - one of our partners in Manchester United the UEFA-CAF Meridian Project - was an defender Rio Ferdinand important exercise in propagating positive supported the view that messages concerning health and education, football has a vital role showing how football can be used as a to play, calling for more power for good.” players to give their time to the cause: “If more football stars were involved in FA Executive Director David Davies delivering HIV/AIDS awareness messages, addresses the crowd at the Civo Stadium I believe it could make a difference,” he said. in Lilongwe The FA’s Head of International Relations, "If, as a result of the players being here, a Jane Bateman, is keen to combine football single life is saved, and if on top of that they and development on The FA’s international give pleasure to people who are leading their agenda. “Whilst our purpose is to develop lives in very difficult circumstances, then this the game of football, we must show a social The players visit the Lighthouse project, a voluntary counselling and HIV treatment visit will have been worthwhile,” said FA conscience, especially in a country as centre in Lilongwe Executive Director David Davies. economically poor as Malawi.
Raising awareness of HIV through football-related games
England stars Rio Ferdinand, Gary During the two-day goodwill mission, the spoke to people who are living with the Neville and David James led an FA players linked up with local organisations at disease and were fascinated by their delegation in Malawi to promote stadia in the capital Lilongwe and in Blantyre courage. The need to deliver better HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. to show how football can be used to messages to combat the stigma of HIV - The visit was backed by the British disseminate messages on HIV/AIDS, which is particularly to the youth - is paramount.” Government’s Department for endemic in Malawi. Life expectancy in the International Development and other country has dropped to just 39 as some partners including the Elton John AIDS 86,000 people die annually from AIDS- Foundation, McDonald’s, Carlsberg, related illnesses; 14.4% of 15-49 year-olds Nationwide, the PFA and the are now infected with HIV. BBC World Service Trust. The players also talked to young Malawians at a local school and to HIV sufferers at the Lighthouse Clinic in Lilongwe, in addition to visiting a hospital where over 50% of patients suffer from HIV-related illnesses. Gary Neville facilitates discussions on HIV & “I learnt more AIDS with school children at the Zingwangwa Secondary School in Blantyre about HIV and AIDS in the two days we spent in There is no doubt that the visit - to a country Malawi than which is so passionate about English football The players sport T-shirts donated by the during the whole - will have an ongoing impact, with the Football Association of Malawi who are also of my life,” said players’ images used on poster campaigns supporting the campaign to fight HIV Gary Neville. “We and their voices on radio jingles. Rio Ferdinand prepares to take the youngsters through HIV awareness games on the pitch at the Civo Stadium CAF AFC The FA and FA Premier League Youth coaching in Malawi join forces in Qatar © AFC2001
Two of the country’s top Youth A delegation led by FA Premier League Coaching Instructors, Steve Rutter and Chairman Dave Richards, and Brighton Hove Albion FC’s Dave David Davies, The FA’s Executive Puckett, travelled to Blantyre, Malawi, to Director, delivered an ‘Elite Football train youth coaches as part of the Seminar’ in Doha, Qatar, in May. UEFA-CAF Meridian Project. Attendees included His Highness Sheikh FA coach Steve Rutter was impressed by the Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, representatives youth coaches and said: "The attitude of the of the Qatar FA, the Qatar National Olympic candidates on our course was one of the Committee and Qatar’s top sixteen clubs, as best I have ever worked with and the well as AFC President, Mohamed bin delegates’ competence improved Hammam and General Secretary, significantly over the course of the week." Dato’ Peter Velappan.
The course was organised in parallel with two The seminar was initiated by the AFC, with other workshops. Representatives from the the objective of assisting the Qatar FA in BBC World Service Trust provided media understanding the principles involved in “This proved to be a very strong partnership training to local radio stations whilst the NGO, the professional administration and model,” explained Jane Bateman, The FA’s Kicking AIDS Out, funded by UK Sport, commercial management of a national Head of International Relations. “Not only did England coach trained PE teachers on how to build awareness association, a national league and it develop coaching skills, but it showed how about HIV/AIDS through sports instruction. professional clubs, and how the three sport - and football in particular - as well as speaks in Egypt different entities work together. David Davies introduces the joint presentation by The FA and the FA Premier League The three separate courses culminated in a the media can be used to promote HIV/AIDS mini-football festival for over 60 children, awareness messages. These are incredibly “As well as giving us a fascinating insight with all parties able to demonstrate the skills important in a country which is being into football in Qatar, the seminar presented they had learned. ravaged by the disease.” us with a useful opportunity to discuss how Tsunami donation the structure of Qatari football could be The FA responded to calls for help Next Steps Conference, Zambia adapted to reach its full potential,” said from FIFA and the AFC by making a David Davies. “We are going through a donation of £100,000 from The FA The FA was represented at the June The British restructuring process ourselves, which National Sports Centre Trust in 2005 Next Steps conference in Government’s made it all the more interesting to share favour of the FIFA/AFC Tsunami Livingstone, Zambia, where delegates Secretary of State Mohamed bin Hammam meets Maurice Watkins & Dave Richards ideas on best practice.” Solidarity Fund. The FA also sent a shared experiences and ideas on the for Culture, Media container of football kit and balls to subject of sport as a development tool. and Sport, England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson the Indonesian province of Aceh Tessa Jowell, addressed an audience of over 200 3rd Asian Football Conference where 200,000 people lost their lives delivered a keynote representatives of Egyptian as entire neighbourhoods were speech at the FA Exercise Scientist, Dr Gurcharan Singh, football earlier this year in a special devastated by the 30-metre waves. Sam Erith, was a guest Chairman of the AFC’s Tessa Jowell opening ceremony, seminar focusing on a technical acknowledging that, analysis of Euro 2004. He was speaker at the 3rd Asian Medical Committee, said: “We have always had a wonderful “Sport is a practical way to positively benefit joined on stage by Manchester Football Conference of “This conference was an relationship with The FA,” said AFC the lives of people across the developing United’s respected Fitness Coach, Science & Football important tool in President, Mohamed bin Hammam. “As world.” She referred to The FA’s recent visit Professor Valter di Salvo, who Medicine in Oman. He our quest to one of the major national associations, to Malawi with the England players: spoke on issues concerning player addressed the 300-strong provide Sam Erith they have been excellent in helping “Meeting their heroes encouraged young fitness and analysis, focusing on audience on the better health more needy associations in Asia and Malawians to speak openly in the presence methods to maintain optimum importance of sports science within care for players, increase the pool Youth Moderators are trained in they have showed again that their heart of the players and gave more impact to what fitness during long seasons and modern football, notably the role it can of sports medical professionals and broadcasting and filming at the BBC World is with Asia.” Service Trust studio they had heard about HIV and AIDS.” throughout tournaments. play in maximising performance and development of football science and minimising the incidence of injury. medicine in Asia.” CONMEBOL FA News WOMEN’S EURO 2005 Safety first in Peru hailed as great success
In a year marking the 20th England hosted the WOMEN’S EURO anniversaries of the tragic stadium fire 2005 Championship in June, with the at Bradford City and the Heysel event being heralded the biggest and disaster, an FA-led delegation travelled best yet in its 21-year history. to Peru to deliver a two-day seminar on Germany defended their title, beating stadium safety and security. Norway 3-1 in the final, to win the tournament for the fourth consecutive The FA’s Head of Stadium Safety, Chris time in front of a 21,000-strong crowd. Whalley, the Football Licensing Authority Chief Executive, John de Quidt and the Head New Championship records were set for of the UK National Football Information Point attendances and television viewing figures as of the National Criminal Intelligence Service, the competition captured the public’s Detective Sergeant Tony Conniford, were imagination. A total of 117,384 spectators welcomed by the Peru Football Association attended the 15 matches in Manchester, and representatives from CONMEBOL. Blackpool, Warrington, Preston and Blackburn with the opening game attracting a record (From L-R) Nada Grkinic, Tony Conniford, John de Quidt, HM Ambassador to Peru The seminar followed an extensive tour of Richard Ralph, Chris Whalley and Peru FA President Dr Manuel Burga crowd for a women's match in Europe. A total the capital’s three main stadia to enable the of 29,092 fans watched England defeat FA delegation to see for themselves how police, fire and medical services as well as legislation to combat violence in sport. I think Finland 3-2 at the City of Manchester stadium. Peruvian stadia are managed. Their ensuing officials from the four host cities of the FIFA the key message from our seminar - that presentations addressed issues from design World U17 Championships which will be success in England was achieved by a Germany celebrate a fourth consecutive tournament victory at WOMEN’S EURO 2005 and comfort of grounds, to match-day taking place in Peru later this year. partnership approach between football, FA Chief Executive, Brian Barwick, was UEFA Chief Executive, Lars-Christer Olsson, preparations, and the policing efforts that government and the police - really struck a delighted by the success of the event. “It has also praised the work of The FA: "The fact England adopts to combat hooliganism. The FA’s Head of Stadium Safety, Chris chord here. This seminar acted as a stimulus introduced a lot of people to women’s that we were successful in the homeland of Whalley, said: "Peru is continuing a process for getting all relevant parties in Peru around football and the crowds have been terrific, football will also have positive effects in all Delegates included representatives of the of stadium development and the Peru FA is the table in order to tackle their problems particularly for the England games,” he said. other countries around Europe. I'm sure we clubs from the top division in Peru, from hoping to drive forward proposals on new together, not in isolation." “Most importantly, having a tournament here will move women's football to another level.” was an opportunity to maximise the level of South America’s senior referees converge on Guayaquil awareness of the women’s game. I think the His view was echoed by UEFA President, England’s Karen Carney is mobbed by team players have done that and so have my Lennart Johansson, who said, “The crowds have Over fifty senior referees from across Conducted by FA Head of Referees, mates after scoring her team’s injury time colleagues within The FA who worked very been fantastic and that proves we took the right the country converged in Guayaquil, John Baker, and FA Regional Managers, winner in the opening game against Finland hard on the tournament.” decision by taking the tournament to England.” Ecuador's second city, for a three-day Ian Blanchard and Ray Olivier, this event advanced referee training workshop. kicked off the 2005 FA-CONMEBOL assistance programme. Royal Air Force FA tours South Africa New member of A squad of RAF footballers took part in The training covered a wide range of a tour to South Africa, playing in a International advanced techniques for referees such as series of matches in and around the Fitness & Nutrition, Communication & Body Relations team country’s capital, Pretoria, and holding Language and Dealing with Players in coaching sessions with disadvantaged Nada Grkinic has been appointed Challenging Situations. It gave the "We found tremendous enthusiasm for the children from a local township. International Development Manager opportunity for the top National Referees in training amongst the participants - especially within the International Relations Ecuador to benefit from The FA’s advanced the practical training on the field of play and The youngsters, many of whom are HIV Department. training programmes and for everyone the physical training to improve fitness,” said positive, live on the streets or in local Contact details: FA Head of Referees John Baker puts some involved to exchange ideas and experiences John Baker. “It was a totally new experience shelters. The RAF Football Association gave Email: [email protected] of the fifty-plus candidates through their on refereeing as seen from the South for many of them and they participated with the children a number of souvenirs Office tel: + 44 (0) 20 7745 4703 paces at the Guayaquil course Mobile: +44 (0) 7908 228862. American and English viewpoints. real commitment.” including FA Football Foundation T-Shirts. Q&A
with Sir Trevor Brooking, FA Director of Football Development
What changes have you seen at grassroots level in England?
Already in the past two to three years we have seen the level of participation by girls in football increase massively. But we are also working across the board with boys and girls through our football development programmes locally and in schools. With our club-school links, we hope to encourage better coaching from which there are many wider benefits to be gained. Quality coaching can improve behaviour How would you like to continue and discipline in schools while kids and developing the grassroots game? What do you think about the recent their parents know that they are playing the The FA hopes to introduce fun sessions in Women’s Euro 2005 Championship? game in a safe environment. primary schools where children will learn It was a bold time for us when we bid to various skills such as balance and host the tournament, but everyone is coordination through playing football but delighted with how it has gone and the which can also be put to use in other atmosphere generated up in the north west sports. We want to invest more in of England was excellent. It was a great resources and to introduce a network of opportunity for us to create a long-term quality regional coaching to encourage legacy. Hope Powell and the team worked youngsters from all ethnic communities to incredibly hard over the last 12 months and get in involved in the game. The objective it is unfortunate they did not progress is to increase participation and give kids a further. However, the fact that around chance to get as good as they can. 70,000 fans attended England’s three Hopefully, this will benefit the youngsters matches has given everyone a big lift and in terms of self-confidence, communication we have shown we are more than capable and fitness, all of which they can take with of staging such a tournament. them into adult life.
International Events Liverpool rule Europe
DATE VENUE EVENT
Aug 21-Sep 10 Lilleshall FA International Coaching Licence Course
August 24-30 Botswana FA Referee Beginners Course
September 1 Austria World Cup Qualifier (Women’s) - Austria v England
September 3 Cardiff World Cup Qualifier: Wales v England
September 4-11 Lilleshall FA International Course for Referee Instructors Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard holds the Champions League trophy aloft after his September 7 Belfast World Cup Qualifier: Northern Ireland v England team’s remarkable comeback from three goals down against AC Milan September 12-19 Mali Coaching For Hope - FA Youth Coaching Course
October 8 Manchester World Cup Qualifier: England v Austria Designed and produced by The Bridge Contact Rob Chappelhow October 12 Manchester World Cup Qualifier: England v Poland Tel: 01525 288000 Email: [email protected]
The International Relations Team, The Football Association, 25 Soho Square, London W1D 4FA, England. Tel. +44 (0)20 7745 4745, Fax +44 (0)20 7745 5745 For more information on The FA’s international activities, email [email protected] or visit TheFA.com/InternationalRelations