RCroudson

Be honest, have you ever..🤔

Coaching isn’t just the hour at training, and the hour at a match. It’s the hour early arrival to the venue to walk the pitch to check it’s safe, litter pick, (occasionally even pick up dog 💩 because no one wants to slide in that!). It’s setting up the goals, untangling and setting up the respect barrier, planning positions and game play on the side line before any of the players have arrived. It’s dedication to 10-15 children that don’t belong to you, but who you support, care for and cheer for as hard as your own. It’s tough, frustrating, soul destroying at times. But it is always outweighed by the successes, even when you are 3-0 down and it’s hammering down with rain. The child who you know is struggling who makes an amazing pass, it’s the unexpected goal and all of the kids pile on each other in celebration. It’s the near miss and the support of the other kids to say “it’s okay” to a soul detroyed player who missed. And do you know what, we don’t always get it right. But please understand, we try our best, in a role that is volunteered, which is often forgotten. Don’t underestimate the amount of time and dedication it takes to be a coach. That person turns up for your child every week regardless of what’s going on in their own lives / how busy they are. They give up their own time for them. (Picture snapped this morning of one of our U11 coaches, 45 mins before his team were due to arrive, his pitch was set up and he was planning the formation for the game). Wyre Juniors Football Club #grassroots #youthfootball #teamgrassroots

So I'm a football coach, but what do I do? I give up my time every week to ensure your child has somewhere to go and play football, I create an 'atmosphere', a second 'family' where your child can feel safe and have a sense of belonging, I instill values, behaviours, beliefs, based on both mine and the Club's philosophies, which will help your child become not just a better footballer but a better person, I teach important life skills through each and every training session, drill, or game, I set the standard of the team/club, by being the first one there (an hour early) to set up, and the last one to leave (an hour later) tidying everything away, I message you to confirm attendance at training sessions and matches on a Monday - and again on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and again on Saturday, I spend countless hours of my days 'chasing' parents/player's, for subs, paperwork, kit, etc... I put together training plans, team selections, kit order's, team social gatherings, sponsored events, money making activities all for the benefit of each child in that team, I begin planning the team for the weekend's match the moment training finishes, and the very second the match finishes I am planning for the next training session, I record the scorers, submit the results, file the paperwork, I am a teacher, a doctor, a counsellor, a role model, a 'big brother', an influencer, and so much more - and that's just for you and your child, I do ALL of the above every week, unpaid, whilst working awkward hours in a full time job, aswell as being a Dad, a Husband, a carer, I don't do this for thanks, I do this because I love football, because I love seeing player's grow each week - that's the reward, the thanks for me, I am a Grassroots Football Coach, but I am so much more ❤🖤⚽️ Steve Davies U14's & U11's Manager Hanney Youth FC – at South Shields, England