Courses

The Charlton Athletic Centre of Excellence (Female)

The centre of excellence operates in partnership with Greenwich Sports Promotions. The programme is designed to place talented female footballers aged between eight and 16 in an environment where they can access the best facilities, coaching staff and sports science back-up. The programme ensures that players are able to train and play at a level compatible with their ability. The centre continues the educational theme by providing players and parents with workshops on such themes as nutrition, game preparation, prevention, treatment and management of injuries, child protection in sport and the laws of the game. A full fixture programme is also provided. To date 29 players have progress from here into the Charlton Athletic Football Academy.

The Charlton Athletic Development Centres (Female)

There are two development centres in operation offering players who are not quite ready for the excellence programme an opportunity to train at good facilities with top-class coaches. From here players are able to progress into the excellence programme.

Grass Roots Development Programme

The grassroots coaching programme is operated by the Charlton Athletic community scheme. A range of curriculum time taster sessions, after school and Saturday clubs, and girls' only fun weeks are organised by development officer Pauline Cope. The programme feeds suitable players into the development centre and centre of excellence. For details contact Pauline Cope on 020-8850 2866.

Level 1 Certificate in Developing Personal Health and fitness

In partnership with the FA Premier League, the Charlton Athletic women's football education programme delivers the Level 1 certificate in Personal Health and Fitness. This certificated course is designed for candidates in school (14-16 years) and college, patients from doctors' referral schemes and anyone intending to improve their knowledge of exercise, fitness, health and well being. School leavers, pupils disengaged from learning, the long-term unemployed and people returning to education may benefit particularly from this qualification. Progression from this course includes the ABC Level 2 certificate in Developing Personal health and Fitness and the NVQ 1 Sport, Recreation and Allied Occupations. Central YMCA Level 1 Certificate in Assistant Fitness Instructing.

Through Sport England the government aims to change cultural attitudes towards sport and achieve 75 per cent participation throughout the country within the next five years. When it comes to health it is recognised that prevention is better than cure, and the Level 1 certificate will provide participants with a thorough foundation in health and fitness promoting lifelong learning, healthy lifestyles and participation in exercise. The course is delivered through a mixture of workshops and or practical sessions and distance learning completion of workbooks, regarding theoretical aspects of fitness.

The Level 1 certificate is appropriate for all age groups from 14 years old and focuses on individuals developing their own health and fitness. It also allows participants to demonstrate competences and understanding that can be carried forward as evidence towards National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) in activity leadership, coaching, teaching and instructing and instructing exercise and fitness, should they wish to progress in these areas.