YFC Rurka Kalan in Punjab had Coventry University students come & assess on their curriculum

Youth FC in Rurka Kalan, Punjab has had the pleasure of the company of three sports scientists from Coventry University – UK in Jamie Whitehouse, Richard Payne and Lynsey Wilson.

The aim of their visit was to initially build on the work implemented by previous visiting students from Coventry University. Furthermore they aimed to implement strength and conditioning training programmes for the differing age groups of trainees at YFC, perform fitness testing and nutritional analysis and develop coaching plans in conjunction with the YFC coaches. There was also a focus on correction and analysis of proper techniques which will help to prevent future injuries and enhance the player’s performance.

The fitness testing was carried out by the scientists at different sites around the region to broaden the data to be analysed. The fitness testing is carried out with the aim of developing the programmes for the trainees based on the strength and weaknesses of the player’s performances. The data will also be used by the scientists to analyse the differences between players in the UK of the same age as those at YFC. This will highlight any differences in fitness levels between the two. The professional aims of the scientists have been met through the combined efforts of YFC and the trainees. Repeat exposures to new methods of coaching have been shared through structured sessions and multiple hours of training by the teams.

The benefits of the visit for YFC included strength and conditioning programmes set up to develop the power and speed of the trainees. Concise nutrition advice has also been developed to ensure optimal performance for every player of YFC. Paramount to the visit was the personal development of relations between YFC coaches and the scientists from Coventry University which will ensure that collaborations continue in the long term future.

“This incredible experience has not only developed my students in terms of confidence, knowledge and ability but it has really opened my mind to the difficulties faced by the children of India and the amazing work done by Sony, and the trustees of YFC. I am sure that their kindness and hard work has enabled many children to have a better life than they ever dreamed of and the YFC’s continued work will help many more,” Lynsey Wilson said.

Future aims of both the scientists and YFC will be on-going support and communication through both email and phone/video conferencing. Materials and data will be sent regularly to ensure that the good work set up through this visit will continue for the future.

“It has been a privilege to meet and work alongside all the people at YFC. They are changing lives of young people in India and I am delighted to have played a small part in this. I will definitely continue to support them in the future,” Richard Payne said.

“A unique experience with treasured memories! The work done by Sony and the YFC is life-changing and I feel proud to be a part of the on-going development,” Jamie Whitehouse said.

YFC Rurka Kalan Coaches gain experience in Coventry

Two coaches - Jitender Kumar and Kulwant Singh - from Youth FC of Rurka Kalan in Punjab were in Coventry to learn more about the professional game at English Championship side Coventry City FC.

The trip has been made possible by Coventry City FC through its Asian Community Initiative 'CCFC Asia', organised through the club's Associate Directors of Asian origin Jas Sandhu and Alan Malik.

The CCFC Asia initiative has seen the Sky Blues engaging with members of the British Asian community in Coventry and across Warwickshire as well as in India. There CCFC Asia has entered into a partnership with YFC Rurka Kalan in Punjab.

Last summer India defender Anwar, a YFC Rurka Kalan product, had come to Coventry for two week to train with the Sky Blues as part of the CCFC Asia initiative.

The two coaches Jitender Kumar and Kulwant Singh have been closely watching the training of the Coventry City Academy sides to learn things which they can use in their training sessions back home at YFC Rurka Kalan. Another aspect was science and nutrition something which is often lacking in Indian football.

Jitender Kumar told a local Coventry daily, "The level of what we have been allowed to see is above our expectations already."

"They have allowed us to watch three days training and we hope one day to take a couple of coaches back over to India to interact to our kids and train our coaches," Jitender added.

Edu Football League to revive Football in Punjab

Rurka Kalan village in Punjab has set an example for football development which is a model which could be followed by rest of India. This small village has not only produced five international footballers including the costliest Indian defender in Mohun Bagan's Anwar but also brought home the Street Child World Cup for India in March 2010.

The Youth Football Club in Rurka Kalan is emerging a strong Football hub in the region. With quality facilities for 40 Boarders in the Academy and 500 young kids in an organised training program it is a model youth development system for the country. The club has a tie-up with Coventry University Sports Science Department and Coventry City FC for technical help. Every year the club calls foreign coaches to train the coaches and players of YFC.

The problem with Indian football is the lack of mass participation, paucity of necessary infrastructure, no concrete youth development plan and lack of quality coaching system at grassroots. YFC with minimal sources at its disposal has been able to address these issues at a micro level.

The new Edu Football League Project will provide curriculum based coaching for five day a week around the year to under-12 and under-14 players. YFC has opened its satellite training centres in villages like Bundala, Bilga, Sarhali, Jandiala, Shankar, Aloona tola; which impart coaching to the kids regularly. The players will be given sports kits worth RS 1,500 free of cost. To promote football as tool for sustainable development and save youth from drugs and bad vice Life Skill Education workshop will also be held every weekend. The 500 registered players of the league are closely monitored in physical, technical and tactical areas. These players are distributed in 32 teams which will play 7 A-Side football every Sunday. The League started on October 23 end in January 2012. These kids are awarded with various freebies to keep their motivation levels high.

The event will be publicized in the media and a comprehensive outdoor media plan. Big wigs from the Arts, Sports, Politics and the Entertainment industry will regularly attend the event. Gurdas Mann has already been associated with the event as he released logo of the event at Rurka Kalan. Every fortnightly a newsletter will be published with players, photos and interviews. A couple of business houses have come forward to make the event a big success. The life skill Education workshops will also include art and craft, drama, personality development, psychological testing and counselling workshops. This will not only help youngsters to realize their potential but also establish that football can change lives. Ultimately YFC aims to make football as the way of life of youngsters.

This league will be held every year with increased no of players and aims to develop footballers for the country in the near future.

Every Sunday 'Most Valuable Player' of every match will be awarded. Similarly children who do well in Life Skill Education workshops will also be honoured.

A coaching DVD for youth players will also be released during the league. Every fortnightly a Newsletter of the league will be circulated in 5000 homes. This will encourage more participation in football. During the league 5000 notebooks will be distributed to kids.

In the Finals Two All Stars Teams will be selected from the whole program ,these teams will be rewarded with Avon cycles. Capital Local Area Bank is the main sponsor of the league. Sant Tarlok Singh World School Kanha Dhesian and Jagbani will be associate sponsors. JJ Jonex has provide 900 kits and is the official kit sponsor. Nivia is the official Ball and shoes partner of the League.

India striker Sunil Chhetri and Rurka Kalan product Anwar will also be visiting the league in due course.