Pete Sturgess, FA Technical Lead for the Foundation Phase of England DNA

England DNA Day held at St Georges Park

Local coach provides an insight of the event

Sussex based coach; Luke Toughey provides an insight on his experience of the England DNA Day which was held at St Georges Park on Saturday 18 August 2018.

Prior to the event, Pete Sturgess, The FA Technical Lead Coach for players aged 5-11 made an extensive tour around England in the 2017-18 season visiting County FA’s to communicate key messages to support the development of young players between aged 5-11 which is known as the Foundation Phase.

Pete delivered a workshop for local coaches initially making a presentation and then delivered a practical session with young players for the benefit of the coaches observing and we hosted one of these workshops back in March 2018.

As a result, coaches from around the counties who attended these workshops and are key advocates in promoting the England DNA Foundation Phase (the playing and coaching philosophy of the England teams) messages were invited to attend an “England DNA Day” at St George’s Park on Saturday 18 August 2018.

Luke, who has attended the event has provided a short report on his experience of the day:

Pete Sturgess put together a fantastic day that was not only educational and informing but also highly entertaining throughout. The day began with a carousel of coaching sessions which consisted of 1v1/2v2 practices, small sided games and possession drills. This offered a great insight into the workings of Burnley FC, Leeds United FC, Birmingham City FC and Walsall FC academy's.

With the above clubs sending along their best under-10 academy players representing them both during the mornings training sessions and the afternoons showpiece the first annual DNA CUP (futsal tournament), with the winner being invited back as an under-11 side to defend their crown next year.

The foundation message was clear to see with teams looking to play out from the goalkeeper and work the ball through the 3rd's when the opportunity arose but also weren't afraid to keep personal possession of the ball either.

The final was between Birmingham City and Leeds United, where Leeds ran out 5-2 winners and claimed the rights to come back next year. 

As a whole I feel it was an incredibly successful day and it was a pleasure to be invited up to the outstanding facility that is St George's Park.

Luke Toughey is currently a Level 2 qualified coach with Level 1 certificates in Futsal and Goalkeeping. He coaches players in the under-14 age group at Withdean Youth FC and is Hailsham Town under-23s manager.

He combines those roles with his work at Brighton & Hove Albion’s Academy Talent ID Centres and is also with Albion in the Community’s Community Coaching Scheme.

For further information on the England DNA, please contact The FA:

The FA
T: 0800 169 1863
E: info@thefa.com