Elite week for aspiring footballers

All profits from the week will go to help fund the 1066 Specials which provides those with special needs and disabilities the opportunity to learn football skills.

The coaching week will run from August 16-20 and is backed by William Parker School, Hastings & St Leonards Observer, 1066 Sporting Club and Style Promotions.

SAFA coaching weeks have gained a reputation for providing innovative and quality soccer coaching for emerging talent. Led by director of coaching Lloyd Biggs and Jim Colston, who was nominated for the prestigious Sussex Sports Coach of the year award, the week will be open to any youth players between the ages of eight and 13. All players will need to qualify from organised pre-selection trials and those attending the week will receive a full set of kit and a football.

Biggs said: "The idea of the Elite week is to give talented youth players in the area the chance to come together and be coached in an environment which will be fun and enjoyable but challenging at the same time, our goal at SAFA is always to develop players not teams. There is no doubt they will improve just through competing with each other and when combined with the structured coaching programme they will undertake, this will give them the foundation in which to become great players."

Local companies are being sought to help sponsor the week to enable as many youngsters as possible to receive the coaching for a subsidised cost of just 20 each. Style Promotions have been appointed to help secure sponsorship and chairman Terry Avann believes it represents good value for money. He said: "The Elite Coaching Week is a perfect way for local organisations to put something back into their community - for such a modest cost, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing your support is benefiting emerging soccer talent plus supporting the 1066 Specials."

Companies wishing to sponsor one or more players for 45 each should contact Style Promotions on (01424) 423123.

More details on the Southern Association Football Academy can be obtained at www.planet.safa.com. Details of the coaching week are available from Biggs at SAFA on (01424) 433726 or (07711) 588272.