Cornwall hosted a transformative moment for beach soccer with the inaugural FA Beach Soccer Continuing Professional Development (CPD) event, a collaboration between England Beach Soccer and the Cornwall FA.
By equipping coaches, referees, and players with essential skills, the weekend laid a solid foundation for the sport’s growth, providing stakeholders with a blueprint to elevate beach soccer across the region.
Day One brought together coaches and referees from Cornwall FA for an immersive learning experience led by England’s top beach soccer experts. Through a mix of theoretical insights and practical drills, participants explored tactical strategies, player development, and the nuances of officiating on the sand. England’s women’s beach soccer team and the Cornwall FA Women’s Select Side energised the sessions, showcasing elite-level skills that inspired attendees to raise their standards.
“We have been working for the past 12 months to establish our new Referee and Coaches CPD, which also incorporates an introduction to Beach Soccer for players. CPD has been focused on accommodating various elements of the game, and the delivery at St Ives was exactly what we had planned. The feedback has been amazing.”
— Luke Kerr, Lead Instructor and CEO of England Beach Soccer
Kish Kishto, Referee Lead Developer and Director at England Beach Soccer, emphasised the event’s impact:
“Thank you, Cornwall FA, for welcoming Luke Kerr and myself to deliver a successful CPD on the sand for the coaches, players, and referees. The CPD was a great success, and I hope The FA will see the benefits of small-sided football like Beach Soccer and how important it is for grassroots level in their development of skills, endurance, and technique.”
— Kishto
This focus on professional development equipped attendees to foster talent and uphold the sport’s integrity, proving education is the cornerstone of sustainable growth.
The momentum carried into St Ives on day two, where youth tournaments and a showcase match electrified a packed crowd. Referees, fresh from their training, officiated boys’ and girls’ tournaments with confidence, ensuring fair and fluid competition. Kishto noted the unique challenges of refereeing on sand:
“Beach Soccer refereeing can be intense. Making those quick decisions is not always easy, especially with the uneven surface and sand in the air at times. Officiating Beach Soccer is similar to Futsal, with referees positioned on either side of the pitch and play stopping according to the clock. The transition shouldn’t be that hard, as other than the technical fouls, all other infringements are similar to most Laws of the Game.”
– Kishto
Young players competed fiercely, their performances showcasing the region’s emerging talent. The medal ceremony, led by the Cornwall FA President and England’s players, inspired the next generation to see beach soccer as a viable path.
“Now is an exciting time for Beach Soccer as we see the fruits of our work coming through into our men’s and women’s teams with the youth development programs we’ve been running. We saw Dan Johnson execute two amazing goals this weekend. Dan is a product of our youth leagues and cups, and we’re delighted to see talent go down the pathway of success.”
— Luke Kerr
The weekend’s highlight was the exhibition match between England’s Women’s Beach Soccer Team and the Cornwall FA Women’s Select Side, a dazzling display of athleticism and skill. Kishto highlighted the sport’s accessibility:
“In my eyes, it’s cheap. There is no need for socks, shoes, or shin pads. All that’s needed is two goals and a marked pitch, a short and t-shirt, and we can enjoy the beautiful game on the sand.”
– Kishto
The match underscored how skilled coaching and officiating translate into competitive excellence.
The Cornwall event was a proof of concept for beach soccer’s future. Kerr outlined its broader ambitions:
“We now plan to do the same across various other county FAs in terms of youth development, working alongside a few professional football clubs too, who have shown huge interest in having Beach Soccer within their foundation and Academy programs.”
Cornwall FA’s leadership was pivotal.
“I’d like to say a big thank you to Cornwall CEO Danielle Peel for her leadership and for her super team bringing to life Beach Soccer this summer across five new venues and building into the summer series where we move across Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Sussex, Devon, and Cornwall.”
— Luke Kerr
Kishto’s global perspective reinforced the event’s significance:
“I am grateful for the recent success in Cornwall CPD and more recently in Spain with the England Women Beach Soccer team for our new coaching team debut in the Euro Beach Soccer Championship. My next stop on the sand is the North American Sand Soccer Championship, where I have been invited for the USA Open in Virginia Norfolk.”
— Kishto
Globally, beach soccer is surging, with millions watching FIFA’s Beach Soccer World Cup and participation growing in many countries. Cornwall’s beaches offer immense potential, but sustained investment in continuing professional development programs is crucial. Kishto emphasised its grassroots value:
“We had great interest in showcasing the sport and hope we have sold the idea of using the beautiful sandy beach of St Ives to good use, mainly for the young ones and youths.”
— Kishto
By prioritising continuous professional development, stakeholders can cultivate a thriving ecosystem for beach soccer, empowering coaches, referees, and players with the skills to elevate the game. The sands of St Ives demonstrated the transformative impact of education-driven growth, setting the stage for a lasting legacy in Cornwall. Now is the time for stakeholders, including beach soccer clubs, to invest in CPD, seize this momentum, and propel the game to new heights.
To read more about the England Beach Soccer CPD, visit England Beach soccer
Also Read: Kish Kishto: A Beach Soccer Referee & Cardiac Physiologist.
