YOUNG players coming up through the ranks at Worcester City will benefit from improved coaching after a delegation from the club attended an important course at the Football Association’s St George’s Park headquarters.

As part of the Continuous Performance Development (CPD) scheme, City’s youth development coaches headed to the Burton-based centre of excellence for the training day.

City’s team liaison officer Nigel Upson said: “As a group, we are keen to develop individually and collectively and the ‘Profiling and Planning Players for Development’ course was an ideal step.

“All City coaches are Licensed Coaches Club (LCC) members and coaches at all levels have to undertake CPD opportunities to renew their LCC status and also to enhance their knowledge base at all age groups.

“The course, run by Julie Callaghan of the FA, took the team along with coaches from all over the country, though a theory-based session to discuss and provide for player profiling.

“This sparked some detailed debate and was followed by a superb development session on England’s indoor training centre 3G surface at Burton.”

Upson continued: “City coaches took part in the practical session and also used learning techniques to profile players during the session.

“After the session, the City group were taken on a tour of the St George’s Park centre and the impressive training, physical development, research and playing facilities are certainly an inspiration to aspiring players and coaches. We look forward to future opportunities for the club.”

The party from City was made up of Steve Humphries (under 12s coach), Barry Mason (u15s), Darren Mason (u12s), Ryan Upson (u18s), Andy Twigg (u14s), Steve Blood (u16s), Nigel Upson (u18s), Luca Gabriel (youth development officer).