Training Ground launched

Big names
Ronaldinho, Andrea Pirlo, Juan Román Riquelme and Deco represent just a sample of the talent to have lent their expertise to the multimedia-driven project. The site, found at uefa.com/trainingground, will provide training information, advice and tips for football players and coaches of all ages and abilities.

Supporting grassroots 
"The UEFA Training Ground website will be an excellent tool for those involved in grassroots football, and will complement our existing grassroots programme," said UEFA technical director Andy Roxburgh, who presented the project at April's UEFA Grassroots Football Conference in Helsinki. "We look forward to supporting and stimulating even more football players and coaches around Europe."

Video guides 
Training Ground offers the opportunity for youngsters to learn the skills to help them develop their game with easy to follow, step-by-step video guides on everything from how to take the perfect free-kick to saving a penalty. Also covering injuries, nutrition, anti-doping and much more, the site will continue to grow to cover everything a player needs to know before they step on the pitch.

Football foundations 
"Grassroots may be at the bottom of the football pyramid, but without the foundations the élite side of the game could not survive," said website editor Peter Sanderson. "We hope the Training Ground will inspire footballers young and old to go down to the local park, develop their talent, get fit and most importantly enjoy playing the game. Too many youngsters disappear from the game at the age of 14.

Inspirational idols 
"When young players see the guides by players like Pirlo, they will begin to believe they too can be a UEFA Champions League winner one day and even if they can't, they can learn how to enjoy the game more. Hopefully the site can reach out and inspire the millions of grassroots players around the world."

Tactical tips 
Training Ground will also be a one-stop resource for coaches, with respected experts like Finland coach Roy Hodgson and Sweden's Lars Lagerbäck giving the lowdown on tactical dilemmas such as how to deal with the threat of a Thierry Henry and the pros and cons of formations from 4-4-2 to the Christmas Tree. The site will eventually offer the chance for coaches to study for the UEFA B coaching licence.

Reaching fans 
UEFA Media Technologies chief executive Alexandre Fourtoy said: "Training Ground continues UEFA Media Technologies' ongoing objective for further enriching the content and services available to the ever-growing population of football fans around the world. The cutting-edge content on the website demonstrates our commitment to deliver new and exciting services online and I am particularly delighted to be able to highlight grassroots football, an essential area in the growth of the football family."