A NEW football school for 6-8-year-olds wanting to learn ball skills and develop their play the Brazilian way is starting at Prince Henry's High School, Evesham on Saturday.

The session takes place between 4.30 and 5.30pm and more information is available by ringing 01789 778434.

Futebol de Salao already runs successful schools at Redditch, Warwick, Bidford and is looking to expand even further

Futebol de Salao is a fast-moving game played on a hard basketball-sized court using a smaller, weighted and specially designed ball which increases a player's close control, confidence, movement and quickness of passing.

The game is cited by a number of Brazilian star players - including Pele, Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Juninho - as being instrumental in their development as football players.

Furthermore, recent research conducted by Liverpool's John Moore's University concluded that the concept encouraged players to perform individual techniques, including the development of successful passes, controls, fakes and feints, dribbles and runs with the ball.

Head Coach of Brazilian Soccer Schools in the area, Brian Steele, said: "The popularity of the schools established to date is testament to their success.

"We are now looking to set up further schools in this area, including another one in Evesham to cater for the younger age group. Boys and girls of all levels of ability between the ages of six and eight are welcome."