Developing talent through inspirational training since 2003

Organisation - Surrey County Football Association
Emma Barnes - Senior Football Development Officer 

Surrey County FA are a not for profit organisation with the aim of developing grassroots football in our County, ensuring enjoyment and participation by everyone and have a team of over 20 full time staff and 70 volunteers progressing football development in Surrey. As a County, Surrey has a proud history with the Surrey Senior Cup dating back to 1882 and attendances reaching upwards of 4,000 with previous winners including Premier League side Crystal Palace FC and National League club Woking FC. Surrey were also privileged in June, 2015 to announce Sky Sports Broadcaster, Martin Tyler, as an official Surrey FA Ambassador who commented

The work conducted by the Surrey FA is predominantly focused around 2 core teams, Football Services and Football Development working within the areas of discipline, governance, refereeing, coaching and education. Although partnered with professional clubs such as Chelsea FC and Fulham FC, Surrey FA's main work is helping to develop grassroots football for the thousands that play the sport in our County.

Identified Issues

We identified a need to further enhance our programme development to maximise participation in our sport across the county.
We needed to be accurate and timely with our planning and deliver each of our projects on time and seamlessly between development officers and coaches out in the field.

• Individual Skills
• Team/Dept
• Cultural

Intervention

• Project Management

Length of time of intervention
2 x half-day interventions

Content

• The Handy 5 – A simple approach to project management which was easy to understand and implement on all our projects.
• Time Management – Understand the elements of control and influence as well as the essential time for planning, doing and reviewing.
• The Master Plan – Another simple tool focusing on the specification and the rationale for all areas of the project. A master document for all to follow aiding seamless communication and clarity of focus.
• Delegation & Control – Implementing the project to the masses without having to be directly controlling every step of the way. Letting it fly whilst remaining accountable. AS tough lesson to learn and master, but worth the attention.

Rationale for Delivery
2 half-days delivered a month apart allowed learning and best implementation through own working and feedback with the free phone coaching.

Benefits
The team have been able to learn some important tools to use when planning a project or event which has enabled them to be more strategic with their planning.
They have picked up different tools to use which will support them with their time management.  This is key with the work we do in football development as you often have a lot of things going on at one time.

Results (So What?)
The team have been enthused by the 2 half days and it has given them a framework to use when planning and implementing new projects and programmes.  The team have tried out the new tools and techniques to get the right way that works for them. The results are good so far.

Additional Comments
Expressions has helped us look at the way we plan projects and given us some valuable tools to do this is a more streamlined way.  It is important for us as a Football Development team that we take the time to step back from the delivery at times and ensure that we are planning and developing projects in the best way. By doing this we can ensure that we are delivering projects & programmes to a high level and that those who participate have the best experience.

I would recommend Expressions to organisations if you want to offer unique tailored development opportunities to your employees.  Our trainer, who developed our workshops, was engaging, inspirational and very knowledgeable and the staff all took something away.

Emma Barnes

October 2015 - December 2015