England Football Learning Partners with LMA for In-Person Coaching Development Events

Last year, the partnership saw England Football Learning and The LMA offer a four-part webinar series that focused on themes including understanding self, coaching craft, developing individual player potential, and understanding game approach. As well as this, two in-person events were held to provide the opportunity for peer interaction and in-person learning.

This year, the partnership aims to engage even more coaches in development opportunities by offering a series of in-person events across the country, led by FA Coach Developers, LMA Ambassadors as well as current and former coaches. 

These CPD events have been developed by coaching experts who have direct experience of the game. Each event has been specifically tailored towards coaches operating in the National League System, providing them with the knowledge and tools to take back to their own clubs. 

The first two events took place on Monday 10^th February: one in London hosted by LMA Ambassador and former first-team coach at West Ham United, Stuart Pearce. The other in Leeds, hosted by LMA Ambassador and former Wales manager Rob Page. These covered a range of topics that included matchday preparation, tactical problem solving and style of play discussions. 

Other sessions will take place in the coming months at locations across the country to ensure as many coaches as possible can access the opportunities they need to grow. These will be led by names that include AFC Wimbledon Manager Johnnie Jackson, Fleetwood Town Manager Pete Wild, former first-team coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers Ian Burchnall and former Head of Player Development at Tottenham Hotspur Chris Ramsey MBE.

These events are free for all National League System coaches and reflect The FA’s wider focus on helping community clubs thrive, as laid out in the 2024-2028 Inspiring Positive Change Through Football strategy. Alongside the commitment to support the current and future generation of club leaders, the priorities are to develop club opportunities and equip clubs to add long-term value to local communities.

Head of Coach Development at England Football Learning, Dan Clements said: “We’re really pleased to be offering even more events to National League coaches across the country in conjunction with the LMA. Last year’s webinars were a huge success and the feedback from coaches was extremely positive. We’ve taken these learnings and developed more in-person sessions up and down the country with experts in the field to share their craft and help the next generation grow and develop.”