Tunbridge Wells-based academy to host free Easter football coaching day in Paddock Wood

EMC Academy, Tunbridge Wells

Jonny Elwood and his team of football coaches at EMC Academy have given the much-awaited return of grassroots sport a huge boost by offering a free coaching day, “to put smiles back on people’s faces”.

Manager of the Tunbridge Wells facility, Elwood’s passion and enthusiasm shone through as he explained how he is looking forward to welcoming local children on Monday April 12, even if they are not part of the academy.

All parents need to do is text their child’s details to a mobile number for them to be able to take part in the day’s activities at Paddock Wood. It’s for ages 5-18 and will run from 10am-3pm.

Elwood explained: “We are pleased to be running a free soccer school in Paddock Wood, this Easter.

“Everyone is going through difficult times at the moment. Some people might not be able to afford the luxury of a full day’s football. We want to give back a little bit to the local area and local players. If something comes of it where we find a talented player then great. If there are players out there who haven’t got much football experience then that is fine as well.

“If they can come along and we can put a smile on people’s faces then that’s great.”
While there will be a course on April 13 for academy youngsters, the Monday session 24 hours earlier is open to all.

Elwood continued: “It’s been tough for everyone. Myself and my staff, we have got a little bit of cabin fever to be honest living on Zoom but we are really looking forward to getting back out there and we just thought it’s a good opportunity to get people active and to get a bit of a buzz back.

“I would hate to think there are kids out there who are going to give up [the game] because they are out of the routine or they are apprehensive about going back and playing football. Some clubs have paused their sessions which is understandable with what’s going on but at the same time we can bring the kids in and if they want to have a day’s football out of it, then that’s great. We are in a position to be able to do that and we will help as many people as we can.

“The course for all will be for everyone and all abilities are welcome. It’s just going to be a fun day’s football, it’s not going to be too intense or anything like that. It’s going to be fun, with some development and hopefully the people who come along will make some new friends and just get active and get back into the swing of things.

“And if there’s talent there, then great, we might be able to offer further opportunities but if it’s just a case of parents maybe struggling to afford a session like this then the opportunity is there for them.”

Elwood is excited just to be able to start coaching youngsters face to face and this week has seen a return to group sessions.

“It’s brilliant,” he enthused. “It’s a bug. I don’t see it as a job. I never really have to do a day of work. We love it. Myself and most of our staff are at it seven days a week, weekends too. We do it because we love it. It’s more than a job to to us. This week we have been out doing one-to-ones, our scholars are back in and all of our age groups are back too and it’s just great to see people.

“Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot of worse things going on in the world than having time off football, but you spend a bit of time away, and you come back and people are happy to see you and you are so happy to see them.

“More importantly, the kids are so happy to see each other. It’s brilliant to see. In my opinion you make your best friends through sport. More so than school. Because of the experiences you share with people, working hard to achieve the same goal, when you do see someone after a little while who you’ve been through something like that with, it’s a bit more of an emotional bond you’ve got with someone. It will be great to see people on the day and we’re looking forward to it.”

• Parents should text 07793 029247 saying Free Day, with child’s name and age to book a place for April 12.
• Motiejus Burba, who played for the academy, continues to go from strength to strength and this week captained the U19 Lithuania squad.

EMC Academy is based in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.