Context Leighton United is a CS Community Club in Bedfordshire with 26 teams (including 4 girls and 1 ladies team). The club are working to develop a club philosophy in line with the Future Game. Central to this work are four level 1 coaches working with male and female players from U10 to senior level. All coaches were due to embark on a journey to become level 2 coaches.
Focus A Community of Practice was set up to see how a small peer group of coaches starting the FA Level 2 might work with each other supported by an FA Coach Mentor. Prior to the course the group met with their coach mentor to discuss mindset, the importance of reflection and being receptive to feedback. Following the initial days of the course, the coach mentor met with the coaches to discuss their progress and provide an opportunity for coaches to share ideas. The coach mentor also spoke with the FA course tutor to discuss the progress and development needs of each coach. A Facebook page was set up as a means by which the coaches could communicate, and the coach mentor could facilitate community of practice meetings and discussions away from training. Further communication support was offered by email and phone. Throughout the duration of the course the coach mentor offered on field support to coaches through observing and providing feedback on each coach’s delivery, as well as modelling practices and encouraging the coaches to engage in reflection to inform planning and future practice delivery.
Impact As a result of the community of practice the coaches: • All completed and passed the level 2 qualification. • Supported each other and other course candidates with discussions and offers of practice time and feedback. • Continued to consolidate course content after assessment through reflecting upon the following question – Now that you have achieved this, what are you going to do to become a better level 2 coach? • Continue to develop the community of practice, meeting regularly, working collaboratively, and cascading their learning throughout the club advocating coach education to other coaches.
Mentor: Mike Nolan (E)
Context Berkhamsted Raiders CFC & St Albans City FC are both Chartered Standard Clubs with 500-700 players. Coaches receiving mentoring support were between 16-24 years of age, and either currently completing or already completed FA level 2 and Youth Modules 1 & 2. Coaches worked across the youth game with players from U8-18, and had varying individual coaching philosophies.
Focus 1. Develop rapport with coaches through informal conversation, phone calls, observation, and delivery. 2. Get to know the coaches – Aims? Targets? Experience? Personalise learning. 3. Understand their philosophy and understand them – Their background, motivation for coaching. 4. Observe and engage on the pitch. Personality, approach, behaviours, strengths. 5. Reflect with positive feedback. Something to think about….. One step at a time! 6. Observation and discussion to develop reflective thinking. 7. Focus on designing effective practices – planning for learning not teaching. 8. Coaches challenged to develop a theme for coaching sessions – and why? 9. Thinking about coaching practices and reasoning behind practices. 10. Holistic development of players – four corner development. 11. Coaching individuals and challenging them within the session linked to the theme. 12. Planning effective interventions that maximise playing time.
Impact
As a result of the support provided coaches are: • • • • • •
Developing practices for a reason Coaches testing, reviewing and evolving their philosophy – linked to their practices Coaches now considering ‘player learning’ ahead of ‘delivering’ Coaches setting individual targets for players – linked to a theme Coaches designing practices based purely on social corner Coaches linking learning throughout the season – linking themes
Mentor: Matt Reveley (E)
Context Castle Donnington
Focus The club has an organised structure that has helped the implementation of the programme. Four coaches are being mentored, one of which is the main contact at the club. One of the mentees is also the club chairman who has experienced the work first hand. Our work together has addressed getting players on task from the very start of sessions to maximise playing time and enhance player focus for the session. As the club is currently reviewing its club philosophy it has been a good opportunity for us to start to shape how sessions are delivered. The club will grow their members through Saturday morning provision for players aged U10 and below, and much of the work conducted to date will inform delivery at these sessions. The senior section at the club have become more interested in the youth section as a result of the mentoring programme’s support. This has led to the mentor modelling sessions for the senior team coaches and supporting them in their coaching practice. Club Chairman commented: “We were selected as one of the clubs to be involved in the programme and I become involved after volunteering at our AGM. The role was discussed and offered to coaches and I felt it was something that I could bring enthusiasm and commitment to.”
Impact The Mentee’s perspective –U9 coach:
“I have found the FA mentoring programme hugely beneficial, having the opportunity to work with highly experienced coach has enabled me to develop and gain a wider appreciation of how to construct, deliver and control the training sessions I deliver for my under 9’s. I have learnt techniques such as on task drills that ensure that the players are focussed from the second they arrive at training. Previously footballs were flying everywhere and bringing players into the session was proving a challenge. Having the support and guidance of Pete has encouraged me to further progress my coaching qualifications and I plan to enrol on the FA Level 2 in the Summer.”
Mentor: Pete Bell (NE)
Context Blidworth Welfare Colts is a Community Charter Standard Club based in Mansfield. The club has 22 teams throughout it’s junior section and play across all formats of the game: 5v5, 7v7; 9v9; 11v11; and Futsal. The club’s philosophy is to create a fun, safe environment with the emphasis on playing through the thirds, equal playing time. Coaches are encouraged to develop along the coaching pathway and attend CPD events.
Focus A Facebook page has been created to enhance communication between the mentor and 4 mentees. Mentees are able to upload sessions to be reviewed by the mentor, and shared with their peers. The mentor spent considerable time observing and providing individualised feedback to the mentees that would serve to develop them as coaches. For example: Coach A Excellent personality and attitude, and coaches the team and individuals naturally. Sessions were well planned, on times players would wait for turns limiting the ball contact time. The mentor demonstrated how a number of stations can be set up to maximise playing time and player engagement. The coach was also signposted to the youth module courses. Coach B Football futures graduate and level 1 coach who had a good understanding of coaching, but lacked detail when delivering. Coach offered opportunity to observe mentor coaching and signposted towards youth module and level 2 courses.
Impact Coach A Adapted sessions to increase players contact with the ball throughout his sessions. Coach has enrolled onto youth module 1. Coach B Coach has observed the mentor delivering sessions to his own players, and has completed youth modules 1 & 2 since the start of the season, whilst enrolling on a Level 2 course. He has become more relaxed as a coach and delivers sessions with more detail.
Mentor: Simon Ward (NE)
Context Crosfields JFC is a Charter Standard Community Club that provides football for children aged 5-18yrs, with girls and boys teams. The club is based in Warrington and train at Sankey Sports Centre. After an initial visit to the club’s pre-season training with the Club Chairman and the Senior FDO at Liverpool CFA, coaches and teams were identified who would take part in the mentoring programme. Coaches working two U’9s boys teams become the mentees.
Focus After attending and observing a match day it was evident that running of the match day was excellent with a philosophy of rotating players to offer total inclusion for all squad players. The objective of the mentoring was to build on the good principles and work ethic of the two coaches involved with the teams. This was achieved by further observation of coaching sessions and delivering relevant session to suit player’s age and ability and to give new ideas to the coaches when planning and preparing sessions. Further events were organised and delivered to all coaches at the club which included a Goalkeeping specific in service night. The night was well attended and following further observations at training night prove the validity of the in service as coaches were delivering GK sessions alongside outfield training.
Impact Coaches have shown a wider range and understanding of coaching within the game and adapting the practice to suit players needs and planned outcomes Coaches are now aware of elements they can affect within the coaching practices and have shown evidence of this in areas such as: • Size and shape of the pitch to achieve set outcomes • Creating overload • Setting objective for individual players to suit the players needs
Mentor: Keith Rees (NW)
Context • Charter Standard Community Club Cockermouth Juniors Charter Standard Community Club Cockermouth Juniors are located in the centre of the Lake District, Cumbria. Boasting a complete pathway for both boys and girls with 18 teams and 2 Adult Teams, Cockermouth Juniors is one of the larger clubs within Cumberland. The club adopts an ethos where mixed ability squads and teams are developed and entered into local leagues as opposed to a performance based A, B C team approach.
Focus Two coaches requested support from the Mentoring Programme from the first meeting. One coach has around 4 years’ experience and the other 7 years’ experience, both of which have remained with their team from the start of U7’s. Both coaches have a strong passion for coaching and are committee members also with a number of jobs in the club. In order to support the develop of the above the below is currently being carried out within the club by the club mentor: • Focused work with 2 individual coaches that take a strong lead across a number of age groups on their delivery/ interventions and feedback. • A monthly presentation to all coaches at the coaches meeting on the following themes; working with players in the 5-11 age range, developing a club culture and philosophy, defining success at Cockermouth Juniors, Supporting players through the transitional ages, and match day aims and objectives. • Sign post coaches within the club to upcoming FA Level 1 courses. • Organising FA Youth Award Module 1 course for whole club to attend (through Cumberland FA).
Impact We have seen some excellent progressions within the club who have become a motivated team of coaches. Chairman of Cockermouth Juniors said: “The FA Mentor Programme has given us direction as a club to improve our coaching standards. A lot of our coaches have been involved for a long time and had become stagnant. A fresh approach has challenged a lot of these coaches. Not just on the coaching field but in the background the mentor has helped us to shape and build a philosophy which we believe will allow Cockermouth Juniors to develop players. We have also begun to recognise the importance parents and players play within the club, involving them in the decision making, with the next step for us being to create a junior committee where players can sit on this and have their say.”
Mentor: James Reid (NW)
Context Vinters Football Club is based in Maidstone Kent, it is a voluntary organisation established to provide football opportunities for the youth of Maidstone and surrounding areas. The clubs works alongside the FA for structured club development and with thriving mini soccer and youth soccer sections comprising 39 teams from U7’s to veterans. The club philosophy is to ensure the children enjoy all training sessions and matches they play.
Focus • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Met with key club officials to showcase The FA Club Mentor programme. Presented at Club Committee meeting. Created ‘Dropbox’ full of sessions, guides and play books for club coaches to make use of. Delivered Coach In-Service Event (The way players learn) Delivered Junior Football Leaders Course to young players and coaches. Observed all Club Training Sessions. Delivered Coach In-Service Event (Principles of Attack / Defence) Provided feedback to key club officials regarding observations (Stop > Start > Continue) Delivered Coach In-Service Event (Principles of procession). Club nominated four Club coaches to receive direct mentoring. Observe all training sessions and match days of those selected coaches. Provided feedback to individual coaches. Delivered Coach In-Service Event (Transition of formats) Delivered bespoke sessions for age groups for teams of coaches that have been mentored. Facilitated meeting of key club officials to share good practice and agree 'legacy' plan.
Impact •
All coaches that received one to one mentoring and/or attended in-service events have added to their knowledge and experience through practical demonstration and feedback.
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Coaches have adapted a more child centred approach where volunteers are focussed on not only on developing the player but also the person.
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Holding coach in service events provided the club workforce with the opportunity to learn together, share experiences and engage with one another. This has created a ‘family’ environment where coaches who do not see one another unless at club meetings the opportunity to discuss successes and challenges.
Mentor: Lee Suter (SE)
Context Horsham Sparrows FC is situated in West Sussex and comprised of 17 teams, with a youth section ranging from U6’s to U18’s, a senior men, and a senior women’s team. The club provides girls only opportunities for players through six girls only teams from U6’s to U18’s. The ethos of the club is “football for all.” 3 Level 1 coaches are being mentored. These coaches work across various age groups with boys and girls team, and one coach is also the club goalkeeper coach.
Focus
The structure of the mentors work has involved: • An initial meeting with the club committee to introduce and explain the aims of the programme. • A presentation to all club coaches outlining the purpose of the programme and the opportunity available to them. • An initial demonstration session was delivered at each coach’s training session on a topic selected by the coach following which, a coach-mentor meeting was arranged at a neutral venue to discuss the needs analysis document that coaches had completed beforehand. • Following a session observation with each coach an action plan was agreed and developed with specific timelines for completion of actions. • A survey was conducted to determine the demand for open in-house coaching sessions. Based upon requests from the coaches two in-house sessions have run to date. The first on arrival and warm up activities, and the second was focussed upon challenges for team and individuals to be utilised when coaching mixed ability groups.
Impact • 24 and 17 coaches attended the in-house coaching sessions respectively. • The biggest impact form the in-house sessions was bringing coaches together who would usually not meet as they train separately on different evenings. • Off the back of these sessions, 14 coaches were enthused to complete a Level 1. • Five female players from the U18’s have completed Level 1 and will support sessions for younger teams at the club.
Mentor: Gary Budinger (SE)
Context Crediton YFC is an FA Charter Standard Club situated in Mid Devon. The club runs 11 teams from age u7’s to u18s and has 160 players. The majority of coaches at the club are minimum FA Level 1 qualified. The clubs philosophy is one of inclusion and it aims to provide ‘safe, fun training which for certain players will also lead to playing competitive games on behalf of the coaches are open minded and receptive to new ideas.
Focus
Introducing futsal as a development to for the whole club. An email of resources was sent to clubs coaches which included: • The FA Futsal Benefits Guidance Resource pdf • The FA Futsal Fives Playing Rules pdf • Link to free interactive online course ‘Futsal Laws of the Game’ - Devon FA website • Link to Futsal clips on YouTube • A poster to display around the club ’10 reasons all footballers should play Futsal’ An in house event launching Futsal to the whole club was organised. As Coach Mentor I delivered a brief introductory talk with an overview of the game. A series of Futsal games were played on the clubs outdoor sand based astroturf pitches while players, coaches, club officials and parents observed. The event was hugely successful and captured the imagination of coaches who could see how Futsal could benefit all players at the club. Futsal has been embraced by the club in a big way and Futsal games have become part of a players development. For the less experienced coaches it is a simple game for them to facilitate and the game itself is the teacher. For coaches dealing with a large amount of players in a single team (20+) it has proved successful in enabling all players to be continually involved, have multiple touches and a high % rolling ball time. With an eye on the future the club is considering a winter futsal league provision. Club coaches are looking at FA Level 1 & 2 Futsal courses and the 2015 Futsal Conference at SGP.
Impact
http://www.creditonyouthfc.co.uk/
Mentor: Will Allan (SW)
Context Adam is a young coach who having recently passed his Level One Course has been attached to assist with an under 8s team at Highworth Town. During Adams initial session observation it was clear that he had a great manner with the young players and a real passion to share knowledge but his session lacked structure and he appeared uneasy intervening. His philosophy is very much player centred and his motivation is to give the players the chance to fall in love with the game.
Focus We discussed his session observation and highlighted his positives i.e. ‘Adam has a good manner with boys and this is clear in his friendly approach towards the players; he coaches with a smile on his face’. We set his goals as follows: 1. Join the Licensed Coaches Club 2. Start planning sessions (we designed a session plan together) 3. Start reviewing sessions (using traffic light system) Adam achieved these goals therefore we looked to find a structure for his sessions that he could use. We discussed ‘up the steps’, ‘carousel’, and ‘whole part whole’. We also looked at various resources Adam could use to help him plan including the FA Future Game. Whilst discussing how to make sessions appropriate for his players we started to consider differentiation and challenging his players in different ways, Adam decided to keep a simple player diary where he would note specific individual progress / areas for development. He then delivered the session and we reviewed his delivery together. Adam was a key participant in an in house Coaches Event I delivered at the club. Adam took a positive lead in discussions and tasks throughout the evening.
Impact Numerous people have commented (club chairman, the U8s manger, parent, Adams mother) that he has visibly grown in confidence and his sessions are constantly improving. Adam achieved the highest grade in his college course in the coaching unit and he puts this down to his experience in the mentoring programme as it has boosted his confidence, given structure to his coaching and developed his knowledge whilst also giving his development a clear focus. Adam stated: ‘Through the scheme it has helped to improve the overall quality of my coaching as well as my personal standards. It has helped me develop my time management and understanding of the key coaching aspects which in turn has developed my skills and this has shown within the team that I coach’.
Mentor: Paul Hughes (SW)
Context Prees Club FC are club based in Shropshire with 14 teams – 4 mini-soccer, 8 youth male, 1 youth female, and 1 male adult team. The mentee coach, Gary is a level 1 coach, under 10’s coach and uses his skills from being a secondary school teacher when he coaches. His sessions are well planned and structured, he has a good rapport with his players, and prioritises development of the team and individual players over results.
Focus Agreed priorities for Gary’s development formulated from our discussions were as follows: • • •
Increasing technical knowledge related to game understanding and relating ‘drills’ to the game (clearly organised, clear outcomes, but what do the players need to know, and how to give them that info quickly and effectively). Methods to develop adaptability with organisation of sessions (planning for 10 players and 7 or 13 turn up, what to do then). Longer term planning/themes of work, developing/progressing sessions.
It was clear that Gary was quite hard on himself, especially if sessions didn’t go to plan, possibly linked to him not being sure how to adapt sessions to increase their effectiveness. As a result the following was also an objective for me as his mentor: •
To develop his self-belief as a football coach.
The main interventions used with Gary were observation, assisting him leading coaching sessions, co-coaching, and one session demonstration modelled by the mentor.
Impact We have discussed the key technical points related to each session either before or after. This has allowed Gary to review what he has ‘coached’, what the players have practised and where the continuing focus may be. Gary has now begun to use ideas related to STEP more regularly, particularly changing overloads, and group work with the players to manage numbers or increase repetition/activity. Gary has always been open and happy to review/evaluate his coaching, but is becoming more aware of his strengths as a coach, more comfortable accepting compliments, from myself and others, and recognising what is going well, not just the things that haven’t worked.
Mentor: Andy Baker (WM)
Context Droitwich Spa Boys & Girls FC is an FA Community Charter Standard Club offering mixed, girls, and adult football provision. The club consists of 24 teams ranging from U7’s to adult, with a strong committee governing the club and its 40 coaches. The mentor aimed to engage with the committee and gain buy-in from those wanting mentoring support, to provide a holistic approach to 1 to 1 support, group coach activities, and become one of their team for the season.
Focus The mentors work at the club involved: • • • • • • • • •
Committee meeting to explain approach Large total Club meeting to explain to coaches mentoring and gain buy in from potential mentees 1 to 1 mentoring sessions targeted to Coach needs Mentoring in training and game environments Mentor demonstration sessions of Future game principles to larger coach groups and parent groups Creation of training session templates in single and ‘themed’ groups to aid planning for short and long term FA Regional Coach Manager (Marianne Spacey) engaged to provide Introduction to Youth module evening FA Skills Team support for Girls section County FA provision of Adult Mentoring course and Junior Football Leaders Course – ‘Legacy’
Impact • • • • • • •
6 x coaches engaged in 1 to 1 mentoring. 25 x Coaches attended Youth Module Introduction sessions. 5 x Coaches passed Youth mod 1 2 x Coaches passed Youth Mod 2 1 x Coach passed FA Level 2 3 x coaches attended FA Adult mentoring Course to begin Club Coach Mentoring in Year 2. 1 x further coach awaiting training. 1 x Mentee coach ‘promoted’ within club to ‘lead’ coach position and now supporting WFA Girls PDC as a volunteer.
Mentor: David Millbery (WM)
Context Cannock Town is a well established Charter Standard Club in Staffordshire. The Club currently runs 21 teams for players from 4 to 18. The coaches are well supported by a very enthusiastic committee. I have attempted to work with coaches who have volunteered to be part of the programme..
Focus My work has included: • A presentation given to the Coaches who attended a Monthly meeting outlining the scheme. • Highlighting a potential “legacy coach”, who has completed FAYA modules 1 and 2. • Support for a coach who has recently changed from working with older players to the u6’s. He has asked for ideas for planning sessions for this age group. • 1 to 1 work with a coach who does an amazing job with the Club’s academy (4 and 5 year olds). • Some guidance for an u10’s coach. I have observed and modelled appropriate sessions following observations and discussions with him. • General advice for a coach, who has a talented group of U14’s, around planning sessions across the LTPD 4 corner model. Issues around physical development have been discussed as there is a great deal of difference within the squad • General advice for the committee around what constitutes best practice. A presentation is planned for the New Year which will help to guide the club towards developing a unifying philosophy around the England DNA 13 coaching fundamentals.
Impact One coach has adopted an approach which focuses more on individual needs of players, embracing the STEP principal as a tool to work with difference within the group. Another coach now uses the FA coaches app, and researches sessions from the FALCC website. He is beginning to present information in a variety of appropriate ways. U14’s coach has been given an action plan to help to plan sessions that will help to develop his players game understanding, rather than devoting huge amounts of time to fitness work and reacting to results. 1 coach has enrolled on a level 2 course. I am working alongside the County Coach developer to guide him through the process. The long term plan is for the coach to become a Module 3 coach.
Mentor: Nigel Latimer (WM)
Context Brampton united are a newly formed club with teams going from u6 - u18 and are a real community club and won an award for this last season. The ethos of the club is any child can play thus having a range of abilities in each team. They have a number of level 1 coaches and lots of parents that volunteer with the club running and also helping on match days and training.
Focus After meeting with the club they identified that coaching sessions were very limited and as a result players were loosing interest very easily. I have delivered CPD events to model practices for all coaches to gain new ideas on sessions/how to adapt for different level/how to get the players to make decisions/use of white boards and ipads in sessions. This has led to me working with individual coaches and their teams and identifying areas for development. Session focuses have included: • • • • • • •
Session planning Scaffolding of a session Coaching the FA four corners ENGLAND DNA philosophy Behaviour management Questioning Reflecting
I have worked with coaches in 6 week blocks (training and match days).
Impact Coaches are now able to better plan a session with clear learning outcomes. Coaches have also started to reflect on sessions. A lot of coaches are using different type of questioning and are using learning aids to support their delivery. 2 mentors have been identified in the club who will lead the legacy programme. As many of the coaches have got the bug again we are planning to run an in house FA module 1 to upskill the club workforce further.
Mentor: Liam Kay (NE)
Context This season Bedfordshire FA lost two FA Coach mentors, replacing one. The Mentors have committed to supporting ten clubs within the region. Proposals were made to collaborate more effectively, share best practice and as efficiently as possible promote the programme.
Focus Previous, current and potential mentee club coaches within the County were invited to a FA Coach Mentor event. The main aim of the event was to showcase the FA Coach Mentoring programme, which consisted of the following activities; 1. An introduction to the programme and mentoring; including observation and feedback, introduction to staff, concepts to consider, the mentormentee relationship 2. FA Skills Team delivery with mentee club A (U9 Boys) 3. FA Coach Mentor delivery with mentee club B (U13 Girls) 4. Mentee delivery with legacy club C (U13 Boys) 5. Reflection and feedback
Impact • 15 Bedfordshire FA affiliated club coaches attended the event, representing 7 different clubs. • The event acted as an In Service event for FA Coach Mentors from 3 neighbouring counties, collaborating to support local coaches and showcase their willingness for professional and personal development. FA staff who delivered all received open feedback based on competencies from a Senior member of staff and the other coaches present. • Coaches were able to network, working in groups to discuss the environment created through interventions and different coaching styles. Most noticeable was the development of reflection and constructive feedback. Many coaches are now adopting the legacy mentor role within their clubs; encouraging the same growth mindset. engaging in CPD events and FA Youth Awards.
Mentor: Katie Quinlan (E)
Context Stafford Rangers JFC is an FA Charter Standard Club situated in Staffordshire and acts as a feeder club to Stafford Rangers FC. The club runs 16 teams from age u11’s to u18s. The majority of coaches at the club are FA Level 1 qualified. After holding a meeting with the coaches and club secretary, it was agreed that we would initially focus on the younger age groups within the club (U11’s – U14’s), five coaches were identified.
Focus Coach 1: I began by speaking to the coach about his coaching sessions and philosophies before observing his delivery and interaction with his players. My objective was to look at his strengths as a coach and to get him to think about what he wanted his team to look like, and how his sessions could be structured accordingly. I looked to achieve this through one to one feedback, assisting in the planning of sessions, and some co-delivery of coaching sessions. Post-observation strengths were identified as his positive manner and attitude towards his players and his confidence when delivering coaching sessions. The main area for development highlighted was planning of sessions particularly in relation to appropriate area size to achieve desired outcomes. Coach 2: From observations and dialogue with the coach, one of the areas for development highlighted was the coach’s ability to link the practices together so there was a clear theme throughout sessions. As a result, sessions were disjointed. My support focussed upon planning sessions around a particular theme.
Impact We addressed the matter of the area sizes (coach 1) and linking practices (coach 2) through better structuring sessions informed by the session outcomes and the subsequent fundamentals required to meet these. We worked together in order to develop a playing philosophy - focusing on the fundamental elements required to increase the players’ confidence to play out from the back. More detail and structure was added to sessions whereby sessions were structured to enable the players to work on their passing and receiving skills whilst more pressure was added on the ball over a period of sessions.
Mentor: Tom Chapman (WM)
Context I was mentoring a coach with a learning disability whom I’d tutored on YM1 & YM2. The coach was working at Chelsea Disability Centre and had recently failed his UEFA B assessment. As a result he was upset and frustrated. His confidence had been affected and he needed re-assuring that his experience was a great learning opportunity rather than failure as a coach.
Focus The support I offered as a mentor included: • • • • •
Numerous meeting to re-assure and build his confidence in his delivery. Reviewing with the coach his assessment feedback. Speaking with the course tutor to gain a better understanding of the coach’s development needs. Supporting planning and delivery of sessions with a focus on session structure and key coaching principles. Guiding the coach towards planning his re-assessment sessions and keeping the detail on track – the coach had a tendency to stray off track, often confusing himself. • Re-assurance the night before his assessment when he become really nervous, almost cancelling his assessment. • Re-assurance on the morning of the assessment when the coach wanted to change the organisation. I assured him that if the organisation was right a week ago it was still right today, and to remember how many times he had delivered the session confidently.
Impact The coach passed his UEFA B re-assessment. Comments from the coach: “Chris sat me down, talked me through structures and session plans and put a hell of a lot into context, he persevered and believed in me. He truly is a fantastic man in every possible way, he was happy to calm me down and talk me through my reassessment topic late at night. I would give up both my arms to represent him in any way that I could, I hope I can remain good friends with Chris as he has given me an enormous amount and for that I am internally grateful to him, all it leaves me to say is that if ever there is anything I can do for him I'm happy to do so.”
Mentor: Chris McGinn (SE, Disability)
Context Newton Aycliffe Youths is well established in the Durham County Area with 13 boys teams competing in the Teesside Junior Football Alliance; 2 boys teams competing in the Russel Foster Youth League; 4 Girls teams Competing in the Russel Foster Youth League; Under 7 and Under 8 Boys preparing to enter the league in December; Almost 300 players, boys and girls, in 21 teams are all coached by FA qualified volunteers.
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Focus • I Met with the senior management team to discuss the programme and the support the club needed at this point. • 3 identified club Mentees at this stage Peter Robinson(mini Soccer) Johnathon Gallagher ( 9v9) Michael Hay (11v11). • Coach the Coaches session to launch the programme highlighting session from The Future Game, an open Q & A during this session • 20 coaches present at launch • Individual coach support across each phase • Focus on increased challenges for players • Game related sessions • Working in the four corners • Types of questioning (Try To, Show Me, How Can You) and why? • All sessions were attended as an open forum for any coaches at the club which opened lots of Q & A
Impact • • • • • • • •
Clear vision of support required Open forum for coach discussion and delivery Player centred approach adopted by coaches Increased ball rolling time Increased confidence in clubs coaches to challenge players and themselves Better planning in relation to player needs Differentiation in sessions (challenging players at all levels within the session) Improved questioning to encourage players finding solutions to challenges
Mentor: Billy Horn (NE)
Context Manstow FC applied to the coach-mentoring programme with the objective of learning new coaching ideas and methodologies and implementing them within their club. The club is run by a very committed group of volunteers led by the Club Secretary and the ‘2 Legacy Coach Mentors’. The club run teams at U8, 10, 12, 13, 15, & 18 and pride themselves on their high player retention rates & providing players with a positive football & learning experience.
Focus Manstow are now in their second season as part of the mentoring programme in Devon. Much of the first season of the mentoring programme was focused upon one-to-one coaching support to 4 coaches. Initially this support involved the practical delivery of several FA Future Game practices and the support for planning and reflecting on sessions. In addition, some whole club events were delivered to share key messages and practice across the wider club with the aim of developing a consistent approach to delivery across the club. The club identified two legacy mentors whom I worked with in the second part of the season to develop whole club sessions. Much of the focus here was placed upon maintaining consistency between training and matchday. One concept implemented was to carry learning objectives from training across to match day to allow players to demonstrate what they had learnt. Feedback from coaches was specific to these learning objectives too. This season I have worked with the legacy mentors to support them in continuing the programme put in place at the club in the form of individual coach mentoring as well as small group and whole club events.
Impact One of the major successes is the club recently holding its own ‘Coach Development Day’ organised and delivered by two internal club ‘legacy mentors’. The theme chosen for this event was the England DNA, primarily focussing on the ‘How We Coach’ element of the blueprint. 26 players and coaches were in attendance as the ‘legacy mentor’ very ably delivered a series of Future Game sessions for the more inexperienced coaches at the club. All coaches went away with new ideas and intervention strategies. Coaches were also introduced to the idea of using ‘scenarios’ in small-sided games, which was very well received. I have since attended a session with one of the more inexperienced coaches, who was at the development day and it was fantastic to see him using some of the practices and ideas that he learnt during this event.
Mentor: Jon Dawe (SW)
Context Working in a club in West Cornwall I was approached by a coach I had recently mentored who asked for my assistance with a player who had allegedly stamped one opponent and grabbed another by the throat. There had also be a number of issues with this player’s conduct during training sessions and the coach was worried that his behaviour would inhibit the learning of other players. I discovered that the player was angry after his mum had passed away.
Focus To help the coach I suggested a meeting with the player, his father, the club chairman, myself and the coach - those persons nearest the player and those who could help and guide him. The club did not want to lose the player as it was believed football was one of few escapes the player had from his recent domestic upheaval and that it provided some relief for him. Also for his development, to be expelled from the club would set his football ambitions back greatly. I led the meeting. The coach, chairman and father were all supportive of the player but offered little opportunity for the player to explain his perspective. I intervened and asked the player slowly and deliberately, if he knew what he did, why he did it, what the consequences of his action were and how it had affected everyone. The player engaged and was open in his replies and provided more and more detail in his replies. I then asked how he felt, how the anger rose in him (was it sudden or a build up) and did he recognise when he was becoming angry? As the questions probed we discovered that the anger was gradual. A plan was put in place with agreement from the coach and utilising learning I had gained from The FA Psychology courses. The plan was that if the player felt his anger rising he could "self substitute" in training or match day and be guaranteed to go back on when he felt better. The alternative was that if the coach recognised the anger rising the player would be substituted and miss the rest of the half or remainder of the game.
Impact The player is now much happier in himself and has self substituted at training to the great surprise of the coach! The player will "high five" me whenever we meet and we have a little informal chat on how he is doing. Finally, he has secured a placement at the satellite academy and is doing well. The player has been given the autonomy to make conscious choices as to his own emotional control and has responded positively and has seen the benefits. He has some hard work ahead but is now in a much better place. The coach and club have benefitted and the coach in particular is now open to more player engagement and seek out and remedy the cure not the consequences.
Mentor: David Lea (SW)
Context Parley Youth is a CS Community Club in Dorset with football provided from U8’s through to their Adult teams. The club are keen to develop their coaches to provide a high quality throughout all of their age groups and are keen to develop an internally mentoring system to ensure the club continues to evolve and integrate new parent coaches in the future.
Focus Initially a presentation was delivered to the coaches as a whole to describe the programme, its benefits and how the clubs committee wished to utilise this offer from the FA for their benefit. Their interest in the coach development was calculated and 4 of the coaches put themselves forward to work with the coach mentor to improve their delivery of sessions and move forward to become in house club mentors in the future. Session observations and match day observations were undertaken where over time the introduction of session planning, integration of all the coaches during the sessions, match day planning, reflection and adaptation of the session using principles such as STEP were developed. As the four coaches developed, integration of younger budding coaches such as those part of the football futures program within the club begun to work with the coaches during their sessions under the future mentors observation, this included taken specialist parts of the practice and the clubs coaches would then assist and provide their observations afterwards. This has led to a couple of the football futures now taking this years newest age group with distant support from the original coaches who are also provided sessions for new coaches to observe and the availability of in house mentoring.
Impact As a result of the mentoring program the coaches: • Have developed their own session delivery. • Have undertaken further education including the Mentoring Adults course, CPD events and Youth Modules. • Have facilitated a legacy to the coach mentor program by providing a service to new coaches to observe and shadow session prior to commencing and during the time as club coaches. • Have successfully mentored football future coaches from within the club to coach their own age group with the clubs philosophy and the FA’s DNA firmly in place.
Mentor: Graham Parkes (SW)