Acorn and FAW Trust join forces for CEO Kick-about

The Executive Search Division of leading multi-specialist recruiter Acorn is joining forces with the Football Association of Wales (FAW) Trust to launch CEO Kick-about, a unique charity football event for CEOs and company directors.

On the 6th of May, business leaders from across Wales will come together for a day of football, tactical insight and networking at the FAW's National Football Development Centre at Dragon Park, Newport, where former French international Thierry Henry recently completed his UEFA A Licence coaching qualification.

New initiative 

CEO Kick-about is a new initiative developed jointly by Acorn and the FAW Trust that will raise vital funds for the Welsh Football Trust to support their community development work such as coach education, football development and getting more women and girls into playing sport.

To kick-start the event Wales' National Team Coach Chris Coleman will present an overview into his managerial philosophy ahead of the Euro 2016 Championships in which Wales will participate for the first time since 1958, and will share insight and tactical analysis on how he prepared the national team for those crucial qualifying games.

Also taking charge on the day will be Osian Roberts, National Team Assistant and Carl Darlington, FAW Trust Head of Coach Education, who will work with attendees to select two teams, then prepare and lead them through a mammoth 3-hour long football match, with all players adorned in their own Wales team kits, one home, one away.

The charity match will be followed by a post-game analysis with football legend and FAW Elite Performance Director, Ian Rush.

Laura Nicholas, Director of Acorn's Executive Search Division, said: "we are delighted to be working together with the FAW to run this event - it'll be an enjoyable and worthwhile occasion providing a great opportunity for some senior business people to take a little of what they learn from Chris, Osian, Carl and Ian back to their own teams in the workplace.

Laura added, "from Acorn's perspective, it's incredibly important to invest in the local communties where we conduct our business, and we're hugely supportive of getting young people involved in sport. The FAW Trust does some amazing work in communities right across Wales and therefore we're delighted to be able to offer our support in this way." 

Chief Executive of the FAW Trust, Neil Ward, said: "with Euro 2016 just around the corner, we thought this would be the perfect opportunity for CEOs to meet away from the office with some of the most influential people involved in Welsh football. The FAW Trust aims to encourage more people, male and female of all ages to play football, and to identify and develop young players to ensure the future success of Wales' national teams."

Neil concluded, "we're only looking for 40 senior business people to get involved on the day; it'll be a rewarding and unique occasion and therefore we urge anyone interested in being involved to get in touch with us very quickly."

Details of the event, which will take place at the FAW Football Development Centre in Newport on the 6th of May 2016 can be found here >>