Having a ball

Children from Silks Farm Nursery School, in Somersham, have been receiving some expert football training from Histon star Erkan Okay. Okay, a member of the England five-a-side football side, said: Having never coached children as young as three and four

Children from Silks Farm Nursery School, in Somersham, have been receiving some expert football training from Histon star Erkan Okay.

Okay, a member of the England five-a-side football side, said: "Having never coached children as young as three and four years of age before I didn't know what to expect.

"I soon noticed how much the children were enjoying themselves and, towards the end of the course, I could see some real skills developing."

Twenty-one children at the nursery received their certificates from Alan Poulain, football development manager at the Hunts FA.

Nursery director Nigel Swaby said: "When we piloted the Silks Strikers football programme last year I was unsure whether it would prove to be practical or beneficial to children of nursery age.

"However, as the programme has evolved, you can clearly see how it supports the children with their education and helps them stay fit."

# Hunts FA football development manager Alan Poulain, left, and Histon FC's Erkan Okay, present children from the Silks Farm nursery with their football certificates.

Picture: SUPPLIED