The "Gimme5s" program started during Euro 2004 and has seen in excess of 300 children up to the age of five years old gain confidence with a ball through simple fun exercises which also develop their communication skills with the other children.

"Absolutely zero pressure to perform is put on these young children" says Stewart Hamer, a licensed UEFA 'B' coach. "If anything, the only pressure put on them is the encouragement to use both their hands and both their feet in equal amounts as they control a ball".

We use a coaching ratio of one coach to five children and the children improve their skills without ever realising it. They are simply having fun playing at being spacemen with meteorites (small balls) or simply using their legs to control an imaginary puppy on an imaginary lead. We set up simple exercises and the children use their own imagination to make things become a reality.

The progress of the young children is also a testimony to the skill and patience of some very good young coaching staff, all of whom have gained at least the FA Level 1 coaching badge. Some have now progressed and achieved their Level 2 UEFA 'B' Coaching Certificate.

Something unique about this program is that once they are heading for School Year 1 the parents are offered full junior membership of Sale United Football Club. In that way there is a comfortable exit route from Gimme 5s into junior football where all the coaching staff will be familiar to them.

Some of the children who attended in the early days of the program in June 2004 have progressed to professional Club's Centres of Excellence which in itself is proof that it is an effective program.

In fact less than twelve months after progressing from Gimme 5s into Sale United, three of our players are now training regularly with either Manchester City or Manchester United.

Sir Trevor Brooking, the FA's Director of Football Development visited a "Gimme 5s" session on 13th February 2008 (see image below). He commented that it was good to see every single youngster with their own ball at their feet and being encouraged to have fun. Everything that is done compliments the FA philosophy on young player development.

Classes are held at Moor Nook playing fields, behind Sale Moor Community Centre, Norris Road, Sale M33 2TN:-

SATURDAYS 8.45am - 10.00am * [* You need to book for this session ]
SUNDAYS 8.45am - 10am
MONDAYS 4.45pm - 6.00pm
FRIDAYS 4.45pm - 6.00pm

or at Lime Tree Primary School, Budworth Road, Sale Moor M33 2RP:-

WEDNESDAYS 4.00pm - 5.15pm

All sessions priced at £3.00 - great value for 75 minutes of fun.
Unlike some other more commercial operators:-
- NO ADDITIONAL MEMBERSHIP FEE
- NO OBLIGATION TO PAY FOR A MINIMUM NUMBER OF WEEKS UP FRONT

A FREE "Gimme 5s" T-shirt will be given at the end of the child's second session and should be worn at all future sessions. You just need T-shirt, shorts, trainers and preferably a bottle of drinking water for breaks between exercises.

For further details see http://saleunitedfc.co.uk/ni_gimme5.htm

Contact details

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• Phone: Sale United Football Club 0161 905 3088

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