A coach education partnership between Bridgwater College and Somerset Football Association has celebrated educating its 5000th football coach at the recent Somerset FA Premier Cup Final at the Viridor Stadium in Taunton.

Lauren Norman, who studies the Level 3 Uniformed Public Services at Bridgwater College, became the 5000th coach to come through the partnership. Lauren is football mad and using her new coaching skills to take part in the FA’s Just Play centre for Health & Social Care students at Bridgwater College. Lauren is now one of many coaches who have joined the nation-wide Licensed Coaches Club; within Somerset alone there are now 695 coaches who have joined the scheme.

Kieron Salmons, Football Development Administrator at the Somerset FA said,

“To see us reach our 5000th coach in the Coach Education partnership between the Somerset FA and Bridgwater College is an accolade to the courses that we run within our county. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing our grassroots coaches develop.”

Jason Gunningham, Section Leader for Sport and Public Services at Bridgwater College said,

“Our coach education partnership is something we are very proud of. To have educated so many coaches throughout the county is testament to the professionalism and commitment of the County FA to developing grass root coaches.

“Somerset Football Association not only supports local club coaches, but also students with real career aspirations of working within the football industry. We have many students on the path to achieving these aims thanks to them gaining their coaching qualifications with Somerset FA.”

If you would like more information about studying football coaching courses at Bridgwater College please contact our Information and Guidance team on 01278 441234. To find out more about becoming a football coach through the Somerset FA contact Kieron Salmons on call 01458 837033.