Developing talent

The days were designed to be fun - allowing players to learn from each other- as well as insightful, with sessions run by RAF and ESFA coaches, who were on hand to help improve shooting and passing, as well as to teach new drills.

Nicole, 13, said: “I really enjoyed the coaching we got today as football is my favourite sport and they taught me loads of new skills. I’ll definitely think about being in the RAF when I’m older – I want to be a fitness instructor and you can do it in the RAF.”

Developing teamwork

The RAF’s motivational outreach team ran sessions to help improve communication skills and teamwork – just as important for any well-rounded successful player as scoring goals. Working as part of a team is what the RAF is all about, and without good communication, the team doesn’t work well. The same goes for football, and the challenges set by the RAF team were designed to encourage the players to use these skills on the court.

Charlotte, 12, said: “I really liked the team building exercises – they weren’t like other things you do – they were fun and everyone gets involved. I wish we could have had more time to learn skills because they really help my game. The RAF were great, I’ve always really liked what they do.”

Developing fitness

The camps held at RAF Brize Norton, RAF Halton and RAF Cosford provided players an opportunity to experience the sporting facilities available in the RAF – they even ate lunch in the Junior Ranks Mess hall! The RAF’s Physical Training Instructors put them through their paces with challenging fitness routines that serving personnel go through.

To see pictures from the clinics, visit the gallery page.