THE Leigh RMI Football in the Community Scheme is now in full swing and is proving to be a fantastic success.

At the end of last month work started on a carefully staged coaching programme following guidelines laid down in the National Curriculum in a dozen local schools.

The aim is to provide schoolchildren with top quality coaching to instill knowledge and the best of habits, learning by involvement during normal school time.

RMI coaches Tony Hogan, Gerald Ainsworth, Dave Miller and Steve Eckersley will be running soccer coaching sessions alongside school staff as part of the normal education curriculum. Starting at basic skill and expertise levels, the courses are carefully staged to develop player expertise and knowledge in all aspects of the game from goalkeeping to scoring goals.

The whole project is run along the guidelines laid down by the Football Association's Football in the Community scheme. From acquiring and developing skills levels, tactical awareness and building up knowledge of health, fitness and performance, the sessions are fully focused on learning by enjoyment and participation. Techniques are taught by practice and involvement not just theory with all skills put to the test in game situations.

The highly ambitious RMI scheme will see their coaches kept extremely busy through to the end of summer term with local schoolkids in for a thoroughly enjoyable and instructive time. All the courses are for boys and girls and will also be run in special needs schools.

The school involved are Leigh C of E Infants and Juniors, Westleigh Meths, St Thomas', Westleigh St Pauls, Atherton St Georges, Newton Park Primary, Meadowbank, Greenhall Primary, Two Porches, St Gabriels and Sacred Heart.