We're nearing the end of the season, and my first year of university is practically over. I've tried to balance my volunteering with uni work, and for a first attempt I don't think I've done a bad job. A few grades are left to come in, but I'm looking at a first for the year overall.. can't have done too badly!
This season has been different, I've been a part of fewer events in terms of setting them up and then delivering them compared to last season. However, the events I have been a part of have been on a regional and national scale. So I've done less, but in another way it's more.The 'smallest' event I've been a part of this season (so far) has been the Shropshire FA Football Futures County Camp, and I was as an ambassador, leading young leaders. There has also been the Lancashire FA Young Volunteers event, again where I supported the event, I didn't go as a participant. I think that in itself shows how far I have come over the last 3 seasons, genuinely gutted that I couldn't get up to Durham to see their Football Futures Camp.. but there is always next year!!
And then my 2 national events of the season so far, working with ISFA all season, working nationally; travelling around the country to work on a tournament. Not just a one day event, being able to see it through from one region to another and then the finals. Returning to the National Young Coaches Academy as a mentor, unbelievable experience to work with so many young coaches, delivering sessions not just standing around listening. Just seeing how much work goes into events of this size is phenomenal.
So 4 events which have been spread across my season, I guess not being within the sports environment every day makes a difference, I'm not a full part of what is going on locally, but maybe that's my choice. It's your own choice to walk away and not be involved. I hope that this isn't the end of my season, I'm putting off working at home to wait for any opportunities that might come up, last season I missed out on too much through working every weekend. I think that I have gotten the balance right this year, with volunteering and uni work. One which I hope to carry through to next year.
But looking at the coaching side, I've been in 6 different coaching situations, with 3 teams, The FA Tesco Skills Programme, Lancs' Player Development Centre and the Lancashire Schools teams. Each and everyone has/is a different environment, thrown up different challenges, and filled up my week. On a typical week, my only free day has been a Friday, with coaching every other day. Fitting in events, going home and work around them. I've even had to move my uni timetable around to allow myself time to coach.
Considering I have finished my first year, near enough, I could go home and enjoy a very long summer, but I have decided to stay in Preston for a while longer to continue coaching and making the most of the what is around me. So far I've had another top season on the FA Coach Scholarship Programme, every morning I wake up and read my programme goals and I truly believe I'm getting closer everyday.. I might not be there yet but I'm closer than I was yesterday. I've been able to work with different coaches of different standards, pick up new skills and edit my own coaching style.
On reflection, I've had a very productive season in Preston, sure there have been occasions where things haven't pulled off, but that is just an incentive to work harder and go again for the next chance.
A word of advice to young leaders - opportunities are there to be earned. If you have been unsuccessful in something, ask yourself what you need to do to make sure that you have a better chance next time. Facing rejection is a part of life and whilst it's not a nice feeling it's something you will almost definitely face again.. it's a part of growing up. Instead of sitting there feeling sorry for yourself and thinking you've been hard done by, turn a negative into a positive and work hard at improving your skills and experiences so that when you are successful you can be safe in the knowledge you earned it and really deserve it. The world is a competitive place and everything you are learning now - the good and the bad, is helping you prepare for the future so embrace it, learn from it and make the most of it.
Tina Reed, Durham FA.
I set a goal following my Youth Award, Module 2 - to be more successful as a volunteer than last season. I think I've blown that out of the water. Having a want to do better, work harder and get to where I want to be. I feel like I've worked harder this season, trying to keep my uni work up to the highest level I can, creating time to put my coaching and volunteering in. Things can only get better, sure I can't predict the future and I will need a new goal for next season.. but I will keep plugging away and trying to get the chance at as many opportunities as possible.
And for anyone who doesn't know, the dream: I want to be able to walk up to Wembley stadium everyday and know that I will spend my time working on the Football Futures Programme on a national scale.
I'm very grateful or every opportunity which has been offered out, those which I have prospered from and those which I was not successful. I know that the future will hold success as well as failure, but its not failure unless is choose to give up. My 3 years on the Football Futures Programme (so far) have been something which I couldn't even dream of; sometimes I sit a re-read my blog and wonder if it's really me who has been achieving these things!
One opportunity leads into another, I have the thought of coaching with ISFA, next seasons player development centre and a Lancashire youth management team to mull over and prepare for. At the minute, I have no regrets, and rightly so.. but I haven't found what my legacy is going to be? Or if I have I can't see it.
Football Futures isn't about the awards at the end of the season, but those rewarding moments we get all season long.
Although he won't like it.. Dad, this one is yours - my biggest supporter. The person who stands by my side through every success and failure. Your morals and beliefs have become mine, the ones I lead my life by and try to teach others. The person who I can't wait to tell about the emails I get, the opportunities I hit and miss. Thank you for believing in me, I hope I'm making you proud. Without you, I would have given up at the first hurdle, now look at me, the hurdles get a bit taller so that I can jump a bit higher. I'm shooting for the moon.
I don't want this to end just yet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qwQ6blG3j4
Thursday 2 May 2013
Wednesday 1 May 2013
ISFA U11s, 7-a-side National Tournament
So that's it, the national tournament is over. The finals have been completed, and we had a top day at St. George's Park on Monday 29th April. I've seen 6 or the regional heats and the finals, time has flown, sitting in The Hilton Hotel restaurant was a long away away from the Sainsbury Cafe where I had my initial interview last August.
Arriving at St. George's Park on Sunday 28th April was exciting. Waiting for Sean to arrive, wondering what the finals day would be like. A number of the teams had arrived early to stay over as well, so kids were rushing about the hotel lobby, some wet after leaving the swimming pool other patiently waiting for dinner. After receiving my key I could have a snoop around my room for the night. A room in the Hilton all to myself, Ipod in the docks ready for the night, T.V. for Match of the Day. I was overwhelmed by the place, the functioning of the sink taps threw me off for a first. Knowing this was the beginning got me even more exciting.
Before dinner we went to have a look at the pitches, with bowling greens all around this was the perfect venue for the finals. But then came our first major problem. Only 4 pitches has been set out, we needed and had planned for 6. Huge problem, literally hours before we were due to kick off the finals. An occurrence which we could do nothing about until the morning, but it certainly set the mood for dinner.
Anyway, not a lot could put me off my fish and chips for tea, might sound common to you, but the cube of chips and large battered fish was sublime. The fudge cake for pudding also can't be knocked, I knew that I was going to bed very happy. Unfortunately the pitch problem did take over the talk of the table, a lot of panic which left Mark unable to function a pen to sign for dinner. A show of how he felt over the matter, 2 years of planning and work for an error of this size to arrive.
Back to the rooms we went to prepare for the morning. On went my Ipod and the T.V, even that gave me a shock.. little did I know the bathroom had speakers which were louder that the TV! Alarms set, here was me hoping it would be easy to wake up!
Waking up for breakfast, still nervous to find out if the pitch problem had been solved. The sun was sneaking through the curtains, and I was hungry. Great news as I arrived downstairs, we had 6 pitches for the day! We could breathe easy and enjoy breakfast!
So, 8.45am, we were outside setting up the score centre and putting any last minute cones and signs in place. Teams and supporters soon arrived all excited with the hope of being national champions. Parents were caught taking numerous photos of the facilities, the 150 umbro shirts and their team in front of the famous St. George's Park sign. Referees at the ready, players on the pitch.. time to kick off!
180 players, 18 teams, 7 referees, 4 coordinators, all ready to go! Despite the wind, the tournament ran smoothly, no problems cropped up. Parents were constantly gathering around the score board eagerly waiting to see what the league tables read. It was pleasing to see everything come together, watching kids play with smiles on their faces, and enjoying the competition. My early predictions turned out to be correct with St. Edmund's and RGS The Grange playing out the finals! Both had qualified on penalties in their semi finals, non were needed in the final at RGS The Grange clinched the title with a 1-0 victory.
A thrilling tournament, and a great end with 2 top teams battling hard. I did manage to see the winning goal before walking into a pitch sign. But keeping up with fashion I was busy closing down pitches as the final was being played.
It was a great feeling of pride and fulfilment after talking to parents and spectators, their views were all positive. Knowing that I played a big role within the delivery team which had put on a very successful tournament, not just the finals day but all season.
Hearing the words 'We couldn't have done it without you' is quite special. Remember this is a national tournament, my first experience of working hands on, working to a high standard and wanting to push myself to exceed expectations.
Sure there have been issues and barriers along the way, but to get to where you want to be you have to jump the hurdles. The 5am starts, learning how to use the London tubes, fighting respect barriers, missing trains, missing uni lectures and exams, returning home late it's all been worth the results. It has all led up to St. George's, I've had great fun in everything. Everything which I can do, I've done. I've tried every role there is, ended up wet through, but this side to football has it's benefits. By me getting soaked, referees don't have to trek around giving in score cards.. so the tournaments run smoothly. Working hard to have everything set up so that I can watch some of the games, missing the final stages to close down pitches for the earliest finishes.
I hope to work with ISFA again in the not so distant future. But for now, I've had an amazing season working with Sean and Mark. The decision I made to ask for extended time to apply was a top decision, one that I will never regret.
Thank you to Mark Dickson and Sean Smith for having me on board, I've loved every minute and I hope I have lived up to your expectations. And to the Football Futures Programme, without that programme I wouldn't have been able to apply for the placement and put the skills which I have learnt and developed over the last 2 years to the test.
Roll on the next adventure. ISFA journey = complete!
Arriving at St. George's Park on Sunday 28th April was exciting. Waiting for Sean to arrive, wondering what the finals day would be like. A number of the teams had arrived early to stay over as well, so kids were rushing about the hotel lobby, some wet after leaving the swimming pool other patiently waiting for dinner. After receiving my key I could have a snoop around my room for the night. A room in the Hilton all to myself, Ipod in the docks ready for the night, T.V. for Match of the Day. I was overwhelmed by the place, the functioning of the sink taps threw me off for a first. Knowing this was the beginning got me even more exciting.
Before dinner we went to have a look at the pitches, with bowling greens all around this was the perfect venue for the finals. But then came our first major problem. Only 4 pitches has been set out, we needed and had planned for 6. Huge problem, literally hours before we were due to kick off the finals. An occurrence which we could do nothing about until the morning, but it certainly set the mood for dinner.
Anyway, not a lot could put me off my fish and chips for tea, might sound common to you, but the cube of chips and large battered fish was sublime. The fudge cake for pudding also can't be knocked, I knew that I was going to bed very happy. Unfortunately the pitch problem did take over the talk of the table, a lot of panic which left Mark unable to function a pen to sign for dinner. A show of how he felt over the matter, 2 years of planning and work for an error of this size to arrive.
Back to the rooms we went to prepare for the morning. On went my Ipod and the T.V, even that gave me a shock.. little did I know the bathroom had speakers which were louder that the TV! Alarms set, here was me hoping it would be easy to wake up!
Waking up for breakfast, still nervous to find out if the pitch problem had been solved. The sun was sneaking through the curtains, and I was hungry. Great news as I arrived downstairs, we had 6 pitches for the day! We could breathe easy and enjoy breakfast!
So, 8.45am, we were outside setting up the score centre and putting any last minute cones and signs in place. Teams and supporters soon arrived all excited with the hope of being national champions. Parents were caught taking numerous photos of the facilities, the 150 umbro shirts and their team in front of the famous St. George's Park sign. Referees at the ready, players on the pitch.. time to kick off!
180 players, 18 teams, 7 referees, 4 coordinators, all ready to go! Despite the wind, the tournament ran smoothly, no problems cropped up. Parents were constantly gathering around the score board eagerly waiting to see what the league tables read. It was pleasing to see everything come together, watching kids play with smiles on their faces, and enjoying the competition. My early predictions turned out to be correct with St. Edmund's and RGS The Grange playing out the finals! Both had qualified on penalties in their semi finals, non were needed in the final at RGS The Grange clinched the title with a 1-0 victory.
A thrilling tournament, and a great end with 2 top teams battling hard. I did manage to see the winning goal before walking into a pitch sign. But keeping up with fashion I was busy closing down pitches as the final was being played.
It was a great feeling of pride and fulfilment after talking to parents and spectators, their views were all positive. Knowing that I played a big role within the delivery team which had put on a very successful tournament, not just the finals day but all season.
Hearing the words 'We couldn't have done it without you' is quite special. Remember this is a national tournament, my first experience of working hands on, working to a high standard and wanting to push myself to exceed expectations.
Sure there have been issues and barriers along the way, but to get to where you want to be you have to jump the hurdles. The 5am starts, learning how to use the London tubes, fighting respect barriers, missing trains, missing uni lectures and exams, returning home late it's all been worth the results. It has all led up to St. George's, I've had great fun in everything. Everything which I can do, I've done. I've tried every role there is, ended up wet through, but this side to football has it's benefits. By me getting soaked, referees don't have to trek around giving in score cards.. so the tournaments run smoothly. Working hard to have everything set up so that I can watch some of the games, missing the final stages to close down pitches for the earliest finishes.
I hope to work with ISFA again in the not so distant future. But for now, I've had an amazing season working with Sean and Mark. The decision I made to ask for extended time to apply was a top decision, one that I will never regret.
Thank you to Mark Dickson and Sean Smith for having me on board, I've loved every minute and I hope I have lived up to your expectations. And to the Football Futures Programme, without that programme I wouldn't have been able to apply for the placement and put the skills which I have learnt and developed over the last 2 years to the test.
Roll on the next adventure. ISFA journey = complete!
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