THE search is on to find the next Theo Walcott after Grass Roots Soccer Schools launched their football advanced centres across the News Shopper region in an attempt to progress talented youngsters on the road to a professional football career.

It is every youngster’s dream to play for their favourite football team and now the opportunity for some is just around the corner as more than 200 children aged between five and 12 will be invited to centre’s held in Bromley, Erith and Gravesend.

These young hopefuls have been selected from thousands of children attending courses organised by Grass Roots Soccer Schools.

At the end of the 10-week block starting in April 2009, a select few will be given the chance to progress to the prestigious Arsenal development centre.

Coaches are already recruiting for next year’s advanced centres during the forthcoming October half term.

The coaching teams will be visiting Crayford, Dartford, and Gravesend.

These soccer schools are all fun based, but the coaches will be keeping an eye out for anyone who has that special talent.

Invitations have already been delivered to a deserved few, but there are still many spaces available.

Grass Roots’ Tim Rickson said: “Each year there will be yet another talented youngster recommended to the Arsenal development centre.

“This will be our fifth year of advanced centres and to date there have been five children sign contracts with the club.

“We are very proud of the talent produced and hope to see more young hopefuls progressing to the next stage.”

The advanced centres start from April 21 2009 and the purpose of the 10-week block course is to offer a more advanced programme of coaching focusing on both technical and tactical attributes of the game.

Grass Roots’ coaching philosophy is based around ball familiarity and movement, especially for the age groups of five to eight.

The age groups from nine to 12 will also concentrate on this, but also work on vital areas such as consistency, finding space and decision making.

Ultimately, the aim is to improve all children’s technical and tactical awareness.

At the end of the programme, each player will receive a progress report which will assess strengths and possible weaknesses which can be improved.

The advanced centres are invite only, so each player will have to work very hard, show lots of potential and have an excellent attitude to complement to be considered.

For more information on this month’s half term courses and to book a place, visit grassrootssoccerschools.com or call 01474 874937.