UEFA licence holder will boost Eastbourne juniors

He will manage and deliver their youth football programme for girls and boys from March 29 – the day football is allowed to resume under new government Covid guidelines.

Marc ‘Robbo’ McKay, club chairman: “This is something Nick (Stevenson, secretary/treasurer) and I have often spoken about getting off the ground, but we felt we didn’t have the necessary skill set or time to get things up and running.

“In Hoppo we have someone who shares the club ethos of the way the game should be played, as well as coached.

“Rangers Youth and Mini Rangers will provide the opportunity for young players to develop their skills in a fun and safe environment, regardless of their standard - it really will be football for all.

“The aim of the game is fun at the end of the day – without fun you lose the value of what football can bring.”

Stevenson added: “We have been exploring the possibility of setting up a youth section to complement our successful adult teams for several years.

“But up to now we haven’t been able to find what we considered to be a suitable platform and structure to put this in place.

“However with our recently confirmed partnership with James Hopkins and JH Soccer Coaching, we are now in an ideal position to move forward with establishing a thriving and growing youth section within the club.

“We have found in James somebody who has a real passion and drive to deliver

fun and engaging football activities and coaching to kids of all ages and abilities.

“He knows how important playing football in a fun and safe environment can be for children’s physical and mental health.

“He also shares the club’s ethos on how football should be played and coached, which was important to us.

“This includes kids being engaged and having fun while developing their football skills whatever their ability.

“We look forward to working together with James over the coming years to build a successful youth section, with the ultimate goal of providing young players with a pathway to adult football for those who want to take it, but above all providing a fun and enjoyable sporting activity and hobby for children in our community will be at the heart of what our youth football programme is about.”

Hopkins said: “My aim is to improve not just the physical health of our young players but more importantly their mental health and wellbeing.

“By using the power of football to get young people more active again now is the time to start building for the future and help children grow into healthy and positive adults”.

The ideal venue at Gildredge Park, Eastbourne (astro and indoor sports hall) is ready to go and the club will be offering the following programmes:

* Mondays 10:30-11:30am Mini Rangers, pre-school basic fun football sessions

* Sundays, 11am-midday Rangers Youth FC Under-5-Under 7 fun football sessions

Please email James Hopkins direct for further information at [email protected] or call 07595 431309.