SUE HOUgh IS dORSET's Football DEVELOPMENT Officer

Until recently county football association's have been seen by their members as regulatory bodies responsible for collecting fines and organising competitions. The role of the associations has now changed dramatically and the major initiative by the Football Association in bringing about this change has been the funding of a Football Development Officer in each county.

I have now been in the post for nearly two years and I am delighted to have been afforded the opportunity by the Dorset Echo to write a regular weekly column to keep readers abreast of football development initiatives.

Dorset County Football Association Coaches' Association

This season has seen the formation of a coaches' association which offers a number of benefits for the members including regular newsletters, reduced rates on courses and free in-service training.

Over 50 coaches have joined the association to date and the official launch will take place at Wimborne Town FC on June 9.

Brent Hills, FA assistant coach of the England women's team, will be the guest coach and will lead a practical coaching session with the Dorset county youth squad, followed by a presentation on coaching featuring the England women's squads.

All coaches who hold an FA coaching qualification and live in Dorset are invited to join the association. Application forms may be obtained from the Dorset County Football Association Development Office, 01202 671138.

England Under-19 women's team

For the first time the England Under-19 women's team reached the final tournament of the European Competition.

Eight countries competed in the finals which were held in Sweden between May 1-12. The England team did exceptionally well to reach the semi-final stage and only lost to the eventual winners Germany by

1-0.

This success sees the England Under-19 team qualify for the World Cup which will be held in Canada in August 2002.

In the final tournament 12 teams will compete, initially in three groups of four and I am sure the success of the team will help promote what is now the largest female participation sport in the country.

Under-Seven Mini Soccer Festival

An Under-Seven Mini Soccer Festival has been organised at Sandford Middle School, Wareham on June 23.

This is in preparation for the Under-Eight League next season and the children competing must be under-eight and over six on September 1, 2002, and teams may be boys, girls or mixed. No results will be kept or published but every child that takes part will receive a certificate. If any club would like further details please contact the Development Officer.