Wales final Euro 2004 qualifier could put more local primary schools on the ball (From Barry And District News)

Wales final Euro 2004 qualifier could put more local primary schools on the ball

ROMILLY Junior School received a major boost to their facilities when they took possession of ten brand new footballs, thanks to McDonalds.

The fast-food giant pledged to donate 250 footballs for every goal scored by Wales in their home Euro 2004 qualifying campaign through their role as the FAW Trust's Community Partner.

Wales' one all draw against Finland meant 25 Welsh primary schools each received 10 new footballs, enabling their young teams to hone skills and practice moves.

McDonalds major objective is to train and recruit 480 new qualified community based football coaches and deliver 75,000 more hours of football coaching to primary school youngsters by 2006.

They plan to do this through its partnership with The FAW Trust, the charitable arm of the FAW charged with the development of grassroots football in Wales.

The restaurant chain teamed up with the FAW Trust to also create a new schools football accreditation programme, the McDonald's/FAW Trust Primary Schools Accreditation Scheme.

The scheme will act as a charter mark for schools. In order for a school to achieve accreditation, teachers must be trained up to coach football, football volunteers recruited and after-school clubs for boys and girls set up.

This football mission in Wales is spearheaded by the company's Director of Football, Sir Geoff Hurst, and Wales' Assistant Manager and McDonald's National Football Coach, Eric Harrison.

National Football Coach for McDonald's, Eric Harrison commented: "The team has played fantastically well throughout the Euro 2004 qualifying campaign.

It's great that when we score goals, primary school children across Wales will benefit from new footballs.

I hope that we put a load past Serbia and Montenegro in October so even more kids will benefit from this scheme.

For youngsters to improve their football skills they need a ball each to practice with and a good coach."david.tucker@redconsultancy.com