The Gimme 5's program started during Euro 2004 and has seen in excess of 200 children up to the age of five years old gain confidence with a ball through simple fun exercises which also develop their communication skills with other children.
"Absolutely zero pressure to perform is put on these very young children" says Stewart Hamer, the Club's Development Officer and FA Level 3 Licensed UEFA 'B' coach. If anything, the only pressure put on the children is the encouragement to use both their hands and both their feet in equal amounts as they control a ball.
We use a coaching ratio of one coach to five children and the children improve their skills without ever realising it. They are simply having fun playing at being spacemen with meteorites (small Balls) or simply using their legs to control an imaginary puppy on an imaginary lead. We set up simple exercises and the kids use their imagination to make things become reality
"The progress of the young children is also a testimony to the skill and patience of some very good young coaching staff, all of whom have gained a basic FA qualification in coaching and some are even moving on to study sports science degrees at University. Many of the young coaches have been junior players at the Club and can relate to what they were like when they just started out in football.