There’s a terrific incentive for youngsters to become involved in the exciting new Football Football programme arriving soon at Barnet Powerleague – with the chance to make the most of a SPECIAL FREE OFFER!

Barnet has been selected as one of six locations for a pilot programme starting on Saturday May 8, which will eventually be rolled out to 60 centres nationally.

Football Football will cater for boys and girls as young as five years of age – and those who sign up for the programme through the Barnet Powerleague centre by Thursday 6th May, will be able to experience the first week ABSOLUTELY FREE!

What’s more, schools are being offered the chance of a children’s party worth £100 if a group of ten or more are booked onto the programme.

The Football Football programme is targeting youngsters through a series of coaching, game play scenarios and fun activities. The emphasis will be on the needs of the children – and not winning at all costs.

In effect, youngsters will be ‘given their game back’ and have a chance to develop wider skills such as communication, team work and respect.

Football Football will mainly run on Saturday mornings between 9am and 1pm during the traditional football season, giving each child the chance to play in a 60-minute game designed to meet their age appropriate needs.

Supported by The FA, Football Football backs up their vision of providing opportunities for everyone to play the national game - whatever their age, gender, ability, race, culture or background.

Paul Cooper, from the ‘Give us back our game’ campaign, and one of those who have developed Football Football, is passionate about returning to the ideal of street football.

“In a world where children can no longer play outside without supervision, parents and coaches have taken over and the competitive drive adults bring to the game means that youngsters often no longer have time to fall in love with football – to play for fun and thus to truly develop their skills.

“In street football, every child in the neighbourhood was involved. You might have the embarrassment of being the last to be picked but at least you played, and if the game was too one-sided and lost its fun, you swapped players over to make it even.

“Children also learnt to play in different positions. You might be in goal one day and playing as a striker the next. One thing for certain was that you got a complete football education.

“We’ve found that by putting the children first and making it their game, they’ve not only had great fun and developed better as people, but they’ve also developed a passion for football.”

For full details about Football Football, please contact either: Nigel Hargreaves: nigel@footballfootball.org 07904 062550.

Paul Cooper: paul@footballfootball.org 07875 283093.

Eric Power: barnet.web@powerleague.co.uk 0208 442 1000.