My journey as a football coach began just less than a year ago. Paul Halton of Moston Juniors asked a few of us FC women's team players if we were interested in coaching our own junior team this season. I had never really seriously considered being a coach before, not whilst I was at University studying and still playing regularly myself. However, with the partnership of FC United and Moston Juniors having developed over the new ground and the hope that I was to finish my PhD by the end of the summer, I said yes. I thought it was about time I gave something back to the game I have enjoyed playing at club level since the age of 14; to pass on my experience and knowledge of the game. What better way than to volunteer as a grassroots coach at Moston Juniors FC, a great club which offers so many youths the opportunity to enjoy playing the game. I was then told I was going to coach the u8s. Ok, admittedly I was hoping for perhaps a slightly older age group, but it was fine, it was probably best to start at the age the kids were still shorter than me.
So, in the summer, with my limited experience of coaching youth football, in fact coaching in general, I turned up to a joint u7s and u8s session on Broadhurst playing fields lead by Paul Mitchell the Chairman of Moston Juniors FC. Thirty plus kids. Queue the task of learning all their names. A stressful task for someone like me who has always been pretty rubbish at remembering names. From then on every week, my memory being tested, I assisted in the sessions learning and picking up coaching tips. Furthermore, being on a big open playing field, with a dozen other teams training wherever there was space, and not having the loudest of voices it's fair to say most sessions ended with me nearly losing my voice. I was glad when we moved into a school gym for the winter/season.
So, in the summer, with my limited experience of coaching youth football, in fact coaching in general, I turned up to a joint u7s and u8s session on Broadhurst playing fields lead by Paul Mitchell the Chairman of Moston Juniors FC. Thirty plus kids. Queue the task of learning all their names. A stressful task for someone like me who has always been pretty rubbish at remembering names. From then on every week, my memory being tested, I assisted in the sessions learning and picking up coaching tips. Furthermore, being on a big open playing field, with a dozen other teams training wherever there was space, and not having the loudest of voices it's fair to say most sessions ended with me nearly losing my voice. I was glad when we moved into a school gym for the winter/season.
At the start of the season Moston Juniors acquired some funding for some other coaches and myself to complete our Level 1 FA coaching qualification. It meant I missed my first two league games for FC Women and did not have a lie in for two weekends but it was a good learning experience that involved playing lots of football. Fresh from completing the course I had my first experience as a coach in a Saturday morning match with the u8s Reds team which became 'my' team on Saturdays. Thankfully I had the experienced Paul Mitchell guiding me until I got the hang of things and could manage it by myself when necessary. Roll on roll off subs to think about every five minutes, having to remember who has already been sub so that every player gets equal playing time, who is playing where, whilst encouraging and coaching constantly through the game and with the subs on the sideline asking questions such as when they are going back on. It's a lot to keep on top of to begin with!
A season later and I no longer need pen and paper for substitutions and position changes...but still need to keep a record of who played in goal which week. I'm still learning and improving as a coach and may hopefully get the opportunity to complete my level 2 FA coaching badge this summer. It's fantastic to see a great bunch of kids develop and improve as players but more importantly enjoy themselves. For my own personal development as a coach, having such experienced and supportive coaches such as Paul Mitchell and Paul Halton to learn from is invaluable. The parents/grandparents have also been supportive and appreciative which has made my first season as a coach an easier and all the more enjoyable experience.
By Adora Yau, FC United of Manchester, Moston Juniors.
A season later and I no longer need pen and paper for substitutions and position changes...but still need to keep a record of who played in goal which week. I'm still learning and improving as a coach and may hopefully get the opportunity to complete my level 2 FA coaching badge this summer. It's fantastic to see a great bunch of kids develop and improve as players but more importantly enjoy themselves. For my own personal development as a coach, having such experienced and supportive coaches such as Paul Mitchell and Paul Halton to learn from is invaluable. The parents/grandparents have also been supportive and appreciative which has made my first season as a coach an easier and all the more enjoyable experience.
By Adora Yau, FC United of Manchester, Moston Juniors.