LMDC are rewarded for learning laws and ethics

LA MARE DE CARTERET PRIMARY are the inaugural winners of a new GFA development unit scheme to reward good practice in clubs and schools. Open to those with or working towards the FA's Charter Standard award, it will act to promote the benefits of positive action to deliver good practice and to tackle issues in the game.

It works by either the club or school identifying a project that encourages an improvement to the football environment - anything that delivers more quality to the game locally.

Each month the GFA will nominate a winner and they receive £100 in training equipment.

La Mare de Carteret have run a fantastic project to promote to pupils the laws of the game and the values and ethics around fair play.

Teacher John Henry and Kevin Hinshaw, the head, are the principal coaches of football in the school.

They devised the project after identifying the need to address certain issues arising during games.

'The starting point was to acknowledge that during a game of football, things can get heated,' Henry said.

'Much of this stems from the fact that young players need to learn the laws of the game and to understand the ethics of sport - how to win and lose with equal dignity.'

The school held a weekly competition, alternating between the two key themes.

The pupils created a football display as a centrepiece for the notice board.

They were gripped by the scheme and entered their answers to tough questions in high numbers.

The correct ones were placed in a hat and the first to be drawn won the 'Golden Boot', awarded in assembly.

'The children have responded to the project superbly,' Henry said.

'The outcome has been that they play the game just as competitively as before, but with a greater awareness of the laws, which helps them to understand what a tough job the referee has, for example.

'Overall I have seen behaviour on the field improve as a result. The kids enjoy the game more.'

GFA development officer Chris Pringle is eager to hear from other clubs or schools that implement projects such as La Mare de Carteret's, to learn its aim, how it was put into place and the impact made.

'Let's encourage the football community to shout about the good stuff which is happening each week and to go further by providing an incentive to tackle difficult areas like disciplinary and behaviour,' he said.

'So much great work has been done locally to develop football in clubs and schools.

'We have almost 100% Charter Standard status across the island, 180 qualified coaches, a safe environment for children through sound child-protection policies and CRB, competition levels which are player centred, a network of trained club welfare officers and improving facilities through investment.

'This scheme recognises the great work undertaken by the football community and to share good practice with others.'

* CLUBS or schools wishing to submit an entry to the reward scheme can call Chris Pringle on 07781 126461 or email at chris.pringle@guernseyfa.-com for an entry form.