Pupils run onto the pitch at Wembley Stadium for some top coaching tips

Jun 23 2010 by Lisa Jones, South Wales Echo

YOUNG football fans were given a specialist coaching session at a legendary sporting venue.

Pupils from Creigiau Primary School ran out onto the pitch at Wembley Stadium in London and got tips from the Football Association’s coaches after winning a place there in a national competition.

The children rounded off the day as guests in the Bobby Moore suite, where they watched England’s World Cup opener against the US.

Special guests at Wembley also included celebrities Gary Barlow, Melinda Messenger and former Olympic swimmer Sharon Davis.

On the day the Wembley pitch was divided into nine sections, and each section had coaches running different sessions to develop key skills such as passing, defending and shooting.

While Creigiau Primary School were coached on the pitch, their families watched from the stands and were also able to enjoy the action as it was broadcast on the big screens.

Parents were given the opportunity to learn more about The FA’s Get Into Coaching campaign and find out how they can take their first steps to inspiring the next generation of players.

Benn Webb, from Creigiau Primary School, said: “It’s been an amazing day. Walking out of the tunnel and playing on the Wembley pitch, where some of the best players in the world have played, is something I’ll never forget.”
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Olly told me: "I was recording with TREVOR HORN recently at SARM Studios. I went to the toilet during one of our sessions and let's just say it wasn't pretty.

"I opened the door and GARY BARLOW was standing there washing his hands and almost gagging."

Judging by his text yesterday morning Olly had an epic Glasto tear-up.

As I rolled out of my pit and looked at my phone, Mr Murs had sent this: "My head is not in a good place. I said to myself last night, 'When the bed comes round again I'm getting on it'."

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Stephen told TV Biz: "Gary would be brilliant. He was a mentor on The X Factor and you could tell he cares and I think that's really important.

"He would be constructive. He's been there, he's done it, so he would bring a different side to things."

Stephen also says celebrity publicist Max Clifford, 67, should replace judge Piers Morgan, who looks set to take over from legendary US interviewer Larry King, 76, at CNN.

He said: "Max has similar experience to Piers. He knows the pitfalls."

Simon, 50, has already vowed to miss the audition stage of next year's series as he focuses on launching the US version of The X Factor.

Stephen said: "If Simon leaves they need to pick the replacement very carefully.

"If Piers goes as well it's a real shame. They have got it so right and the balance is good."

Stephen says he has a good relationship with Piers, 45 - who last week wed Celia Walden - and teases him about his different styles on BGT and America's Got Talent.

He laughed: "Have you noticed how Piers changes his hair? The Americans obviously want a different look.

"It's suave and pushed to the side and he's definitely got a spray tan."

Meanwhile, former magician Stephen is preparing to host his own Saturday night prime-time game show Magic Numbers on ITV1 later this summer.

Viewers will win up to Ј250,000 by matching digits from their landline or mobile phone with numbers produced by variety acts.

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The Take That singer, 39, is plotting the trip in spring 2012 for BBC Sport Relief - and is already roping in loads of celebs to join him.

Pals reckon it could take up to a week for him and his team, helped by Arctic experts, to get there.

Gary led nine stars including Cheryl Tweedy up Mount Kilimanjaro for last year's Comic Relief.

A source said: "Gary loves a challenge, so as soon as he finished the Kilimanjaro trip he was working out what to do next. There was talk of climbing Everest but that's a seriously tough exercise.

"Getting to the North Pole is not exactly easier but it is more do-able and takes less time."

Gary is planning a recruitment drive later this year.

Other stars who joined him on Kilimanjaro included Ben Shephard, Fearne Cotton, Denise Van Outen, Kimberley Walsh, Ronan Keating and Alesha Dixon.

The trip was so gruelling Fearne and Cheryl suffered exhaustion and altitude sickness.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol....Ns5tuWZ

The silver-haired fox and TV presenter, 48, was chosen as the star who has aged gracefully - having not succumbed to cosmetic surgery - in the survey of over 1,280 people by the Good Surgeon Guide.

Supermodel Elle Macpherson, who recently made her first catwalk appearance in 20 years for Marc Jacobs' Louis Vuitton collection, took second spot, followed by Jonathan Ross, Gary Lineker and Samantha Fox.

Take That star Gary Barlow took sixth spot, while So You Think You Can Dance judge Arlene Phillips came in seventh.

None of the celebrities are thought to have had any surgery.

The website's founder Christiana Clogg said: "I certainly agree that Phillip Schofield has aged well; he is a very attractive man and manages to look great with a variety of styles."

Meanwhile, Vanessa Feltz topped the list of celebrities who had aged badly, followed by Fern Britton, Mickey Rourke and Keith Richards.
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The 28 music companies brought together by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), in partnership with BPI, the British Recorded Music Industry, include Gary Barlow's new company Future Records; Robbie Williams' management company iE Music; Illa State Records, co-owned by MOBO award-wining rapper and founder of the Hip Hop Shakespeare theatre company, Akala, and FAADA, Elroy 'Spoonface's' record management company.

Phil Patterson, UKTI music specialist, who will also be chairing panel sessions during the mission, said:

"This music mission is really a master class into how to successfully compete and gain real business insight in one of the world's most lucrative markets. This is the sort of opportunity money can't buy and we are one of the few countries that give music companies, and their talent, such a head-start".

Feargal Sharkey, Chief Executive of UK Music, the umbrella group representing the UK's commercial music industry, said: "The UK is a world leader for music, and we are one of only three countries in the world who are net exporters of repertoire".

"Quite justifiably, BPI/UKTI trade missions have gained a reputation for playing a significant role in that remarkable accomplishment - taking UK music entrepreneurs to key international markets and laying the foundation for future and sustained success."

The companies involved in the mission will take part in panel sessions and workshops, and will be given the opportunity to present their repertoire and meet senior music industry experts from major and independent companies including Universal Music Japan, EMI Japan, Imperial Records and Fujipacific Music Inc.
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Attacking the free bar with formidable relish following their dismantling of Leeds at Wembley, the Wolves boys were in terrific form.

After a thumping Challenge Cup defence in front of a sell-out crowd, Tony Smith's squad were world superstars for the night, and even one of Britain's most successful pop stars wanted in on the celebrations.

Rumours spread around the venue that Gary Barlow was on his way to add his congratulations.

Cue hysterical excitement amongst the Wolves Wags - and myself if I'm honest. I'll happily admit to a couple of Take That tracks among the guitar thrashings on my running playlist for the Great North Run.

Barlow duly arrived, fashionably late in the evening, and was soon waxing lyrical with victorious captain Adrian Morley alongside the gleaming Challenge Cup trophy.
Take That star Gary Barlow

Gary Barlow was the surprise turn at Warrington's celebrations. Photo: Getty Images

Presumably Moz was talking Gaz through the finer arts of the ball-and-all tackle, while Lance Todd winner (that's Man of the Match for you non-rugby league diehards) Lee Briers waited in the wings to explain the "40-20", and hammer home how it "Only Takes A Minute" to turn a game. It was one of the more surreal sights of my days involved in rugby league.

The man who wrote and performed 90s Take That classics "Back for Good" and "Relight My Fire" surrounded by a current breed of Warrington players whose message seems to be just that.

Warrington's emergence from the shadows of underachievement is pretty much complete. If they go on to clinch the Grand Final it certainly will be.

Having had the pleasure of celebrating with the Warrington players on Saturday, it was easy to see first-hand how hungry Smith's side is for success. That Wembley win has now whetted the Wolves appetite to do the double.

Wigan, St Helens and even Leeds (if the Rhinos can dust themselves down from their thumping humbling), will all have a huge say in that. And I expect those teams to dominate the Super League Dream Team when it is announced next week.

Journalists and fans alike have been selecting their own teams of the year, with a great deal of debate going on on Twitter this week. BBC Radio 5 live commentator Stuart Pyke has been getting stick for selecting a side devoid of Leeds players, while I've been giving myself a right headache settling on my final 13 for the prestigious prize.

At full-back I see it as a straight choice between St Helens' Paul Wellens and Warrington Cup winner Richie Mathers. I'm a massive fan of Mathers and don't think Leeds should ever have let him go. He has cemented himself at the Wolves this year and can count himself hard done by that he's being forced out by the arrival next season of current Man of Steel Brett Hodgson.

My choice though goes to Wellens, the veteran outstanding at both ends of the field this year, with the 30-year-old legs running in 15 tries in 20 Super League games, including four in a single game on two occasions.

My two wingers are Wigan's Pat Richards and Leeds' Ryan Hall. Warrington's 25-try winger and my (partial) namesake Chris Riley may well oust Hall for the official spot, but Hall's consistent performances and 23 touchdowns in an indifferent Rhinos season give him my vote.

With 27 tries and 132 goals Richards has been simply outstanding and is a leading contender for Man Of Steel.

My centre selections are Warrington's Matt King and Rhinos veteran Keith Senior, just edging out Ryan Atkins and the St Helens-bound Michael Shenton. It seems incredible to think that just 18 months ago Matt King was apologising for a one-fingered salute at his own club's fans after a 60-8 thrashing at Harlequins. His and Warrington's resounding rise to prominence since have gone hand in hand.

At the start of the season I wondered if Senior's 34-year-old body would last the year, but big Keith has missed just one Super League fixture, running in 10 tries for good measure, and has agreed to extend his career at Headingley.

In the halves I've gone for Sam Tomkins and Kyle Eastmond. Tommy Leuluai was tempting, while Briers reminded us of his brilliance at Wembley. But he hasn't played enough (just 17 Super League games), and Danny McGuire's sensational form has come too late in the season.

Wigan and England back Tomkins has excelled both in the halves and more recently at full-back and will run Richards close for Man of Steel. Eastmond has been a catalyst in St Helens late bid for a top two, and even though injury has restricted him to scarcely more involvement than Briers, he just shades it.

The front three picks itself with the evergreen Morley and former Man of Steel James Graham at prop. Graham has underlined his status as one of the world's leading front-rowers this season while Morley has every chance of adding the Man of Steel award to his Challenge Cup winner's medal.

Moz told me earlier this season that he's thrived, and cooled his trademark hothead since taking on the captaincy. I'd argue that his competitive fire is actually more fierce than ever, but the now experienced mind is keeping it in check.

James Roby is my choice at hooker, edging out last year's Lance Todd winner Michael Monaghan.

It is in the back-row that there has been most debate, and I have opted for Joel Tomkins, Ben Westwood and Sean O'Loughlin. Westwood has become almost the complete second rower this year, Tomkins has matured from club player into real international prospect for the Four Nations and the power and guile of O'Loughlin in helping Wigan to the Super League summit has just seen him edge out Kevin Sinfield this time, although I rate Sinfield as the better all-round player.

So my 2010 Super League Dream Team is: Wellens; Richards, King, Senior, Hall; Tomkins, Eastmond; Morley, Roby, Graham, Westwood, J Tomkins, O'Loughlin.

Coach of the Year: Tony Smith. The man is magic.

Agree or disagree with my selections? Please leave your comments below.

A final word this week for Salford stalwart Malcolm Alker, who has been denied a final appearance for the club against Wakefield on Sunday. Having spent his entire career and played over 300 games for the club, the club's captain was desperate for a final fling but has admitted defeat to a neck injury. Alker is a fabulous character and loyal servant and will no doubt continue to be so as he goes into coaching.
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