See talking heads hail coaching day!

According to the coaches, organisers, guest speakers and officials who attended a packed programme of workshops and demonstrations for all 68 clubs at the West Riding County FA’s HQ near Leeds, a planned ‘Coaching Performance Day’ at the venue this summer and the launch of a dedicated UEFA B course for the EVO-STIK League clubs later this year can’t come quick enough.

Harrogate Town's Simon Weaver, mental performance coach Phil Lee, Championship referee David Coote, ex-Professional Game match observer and referees development officer Mark Haywood, Ossett Town coach Keith Mackie, the EVO-STIK League’s coaching development officer Mark Ogley and the West Riding FA’s senior development officer Steve Dorey all shared their views in a series of video interviews on the day for the EVO-STIK League’s website and social media channels.

Follow the NPL on Twitter and log on to the competition’s Facebook pages to see their reactions to the first in the series of firsts for Non-League football or simply click on the videos tab on the home page of the official website now.

A delighted Ogley said afterwards: “It’s been a massive day for us. We are really progressing with events like this as a league and moving on to even bigger and better things. I am very excited as we keep helping our clubs to raise standards as Sunday gave everyone a great insight on so many different levels and I think everyone benefitted and really enjoyed the get together.”

Timed to coincide with the EVO-STIK League’s milestone anniversary campaign and organised by the West Riding FA's senior football development officer Dorey after he teamed up with Ogley and EVO-STIK League secretary Angie Firth, Sunday's packed programme to keep raising standards of excellence featured a series of coaching and refereeing sessions and workshops as well as a breakfast welcome and lunch for delegates.

Another free event, the 'Coaching Performance Day' in July will feature a specially arranged match between Shaw Lane and Guiseley before 24 ambitious coaches and managers are invited to start studying for their UEFA B badges alongside their league counterparts next season on a heavily subsidised course.

As an added bonus, Sunday’s event also counted as five hours of CPD for the EVO-STIK League coaches who attended and are currently studying for FA Level 1, 2 and 3 qualifications, fulfilling their annual requirements.

For more information on the West Riding FA and its work visit: www.westridingfa.com.

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