A top freelance football coach with a unique 'mind over matter' technique is coming to York with the backing of City of York Council.

Former Motherwell and Bradford pro Malcolm Cook will be bringing his Free Flow coaching system to York next month with a workshop for established and budding coaches across the city.

Free Flow is a unique coaching system taking an holistic approach to coaching and focusing on ensuring that body and mind work together to ensure mindset and emotions do not affect sporting performance.

Andy Pope, the council's community leisure officer, said "Free Flow moves away from the old methods of coaching technical skills over and over again. Instead, it focuses on clearing communication between the brain and body to ensure performance is not interrupted by emotions such as anxiety.

"Malcolm has gone outside football for his knowledge on the mind and utilises aspects of other practices such as Tai Chi and he can boast a number of converts including former Scottish coach Craig Brown and long-time friend Sir Alex Ferguson."

After his playing days were cut short by injury Malcolm moved into coaching gaining the FA full coaching licence and a PE degree. He then coached at Doncaster Rovers, Bradford City, Huddersfield Town and then Liverpool under Kenny Dalglish.

Since then he has gained a second degree, in sports psychology, and is now managing director of his own consultancy Prosport UK.

His York Free Flow session will take place at Bootham School - the head of PE there is a convert - on Sunday, February 3, when participants will be able to work on the first level of the award scheme, a Bronze award course.

The course is aimed at anyone who is involved in teaching or coaching, or would to get involved in it in the future. Anyone wishing to get involved can contact Andy Pope at York Leisure Office for an application form on 01904 553375 Malcolm Cook on 01274 679069.

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