The FA Soccer Stars Challenge program, run in association with England's Football Association (The FA), is an exciting new addition to the British Football Academy's football courses. As the program focuses on mastering 6 specific football techniques (outlined below) - requiring a great deal of individual and technical supervision, regular British Football Academy members will be invited to participate on an individual merit basis. The selection process will be made based on players who, in regular sessions (and throughout *Academy Soccer Stars assessment periods), have consistently shown, beyond question, all of the following (in order of importance):

1) Respect for their coaches
2) A positive attitude towards improving their game
3) Outstanding football ability (or the potential to achieve it)

The capacity for this program has been set at 14 participants - ensuring an optimal coach to player ratio. As spaces become available the selection process will be repeated for the benefit of new members and existing members who have made dramatic improvements in the areas outlined above.

The 6 core techniques focused on during the course are:

1) Running with the ball
2) Turning with the ball
3) Speed
4) Dribbling
5) Heading
6) Shooting

A number of sessions will be devoted to each technique, to ensure that each player attending the course has the best chance possible to achieve a worthy FA Level Assessment. The FA grading system tests players based on their own ability and some of the assessments are age-specific. For each technique assessed, a grade between 1 and 6 (stars) will be given. Players on this course will be of different ages and thus will not be in direct competition with others. Players and parents will be given advanced notice of assessment days. After the final assessment, the player will receive an official certificate from The FA with their overall grading. The player's statistics will then be entered into a global database of over half a million participants from Schools, Clubs, Center of Excellences and Professional Youth Academies all over the world and a players level can be cross-referenced (to a validity of over 90%) against same-aged players at a variety of football institutions over the world to establish their exact level.

A number of players from the current England National Under 21 squad took the Soccer Star Challenge Program in their younger days (10-11 years old) and achieved the top "Six Star" rating for all of the techniques. These players have gone on to play for the likes of Leeds United, Arsenal and Middlesborough, to name just few.

The British Football Academy endorses this course for the following reasons and we hope that it will bring out the very best in our elite players and inspire them to continue progressing as young footballers:

* It's fun to do and captures kids imagination.
* Profiles and records children's strengths, weaknesses and progress.
* Provides simple goal-setting opportunities for kids.
* Allows kids to practice and improve on their previous scores.
* Provides tangible feedback to parents.
* Provides vital information for coaches to work with.

*Academy Soccer Stars assessment periods

1) For players who are interested in being selected for this course, but are not regular British Football Academy members, a period of 10 regular sessions are to be taken, during which time we will determine the suitability of a player.

2) For regular British Football Academy players wishing to join this course but for whatever reason not selected, future possibilities will arise providing the three conditions (top paragraph) are met. For detailed information about the selection process or any other questions regarding this course, please speak to Jason Leonardis (Academy Coach) or send an email to: jleonardis@footyjapan.com

More information about The FA can be found at: http://www.thefa.com