Brighton and Hove Albion coaching at St Mary's

Nicky explained that the sessions, which were for students with different abilities, are part funded by the Sussex county FA as a schools club link scheme which she said, "enables us to go into schools and promote our clubs and also offer them free coaching sessions."

Nicky took the eager students through a variety of different training exercises which she said included, "controlled passing, controlling the ball and dribling, keeping their head up, observation of the other players around them and space awareness."

She added that the exercises ultimately were excellent for coordination, balance and that, "every single life-skill that everyone needs in everyday life, can be learned in football - which is what we're trying to put across here as well."

St Mary's football coach and facilitator, Andy Doughtery said St Mary's has four football teams - a girls team and three boys teams - and Nicky would be helping coach two of the teams in preparation for upcoming six-a- side tournaments, he said: "This gives our kids a nice chance for a different style of coaching other than what I provide as Nicky is a lot more qualified than I am. We have players of all mixed disabilities, starting at low level right up to five players who actually play for Brighton and Hove in special needs teams."

He said there are many benefits for the students who play in the teams, "We find that football is a really good exit route for a lot of our kids, they get to meet people from different colleges, different schools, make friends and we mix the level of teams so they all get the chance to enjoy it. We've found how across the board the kids - who all have real mixed abilities, some have learning difficulties, some have physical difficulties - behaviour has improved and the sense of achievement they have just from being a part of a team, even if they don't win anything, is such a good thing. They are having a great time, they all get together, get stuck in really enjoy themselves."

When it comes to entering the tournaments Andy said their teams, "always seem to do pretty well."

One of the students taking advantage of Nicky's coaching was Kate Stannard. She said it was a good opportunity as she also plays for Polegrove, she said "I'm really enjoying myself and having some fun."

The coaching sessions took place in Bexhill College sports fields and Andy said: "I'd like to give a big thank you to Bexhill College for allowing us to have the use of their astro turf pitch."