When I joined the Football Futures programme, just over two years ago, I never expected that I would experience half the stuff I have or meet some of the most influential and inspiring people I have ever met. I never expected the journey that I was about to embark on.
A lot of people will say that I'm exaggerating and being over the top but if it wasn't for this programme and the camp I went to this year I would not be as motivated to do well in coaching and get somewhere in life, it definitely changed my perception on life.
Anyway, The 2014 Football Futures Camp started on the 21st of July this year. I turned up at St Georges Park in total awe of my surroundings trying to take every little bit in. After registering and picking up kit we stored our bags away ready to take to our rooms later. Quickly members of the FA national youth council got us all involved in ice breaker games and activities, Some young leader mentors took groups for a small tour around the grounds, which were a million miles away from anything in Cornwall. To start the day off we all headed into the conference room for the opening ceremony. A really cool world cup themed dance and song done by some students from a local school. After that we headed into our reflection groups for a short time to set some goals of what we wanted from the next couple of days.
From our reflection groups we went straight into our first general workshop, there were going to be 5 in total but our first one was coaching 5-11 year olds. A fun and enjoyable workshop lead by two tesco skills coaches showing the difference between a session they would run in the community and one they would run at a centre, both great sessions to take back and use. We also got to show what we could do by setting up and running a small 10 minute session for ourselves which hopefully impressed others and got me and my group off on the right foot.
Second workshop of the day after lunch (which by the way was amazing) was promoting the game, this was one of my favourite workshops which I wasn't expecting. It was run by two guys from the television and radio industry. The task that was set for the 2 hours was create a 3 minute live video so no breaks and no cuts it just had to flow and if I say so myself my group did a great job. I ended up presenter on sky sports news, our story was on Steven Gerrard retiring from international football so there were a couple of dodgy Liverpool accents flying around, cheesy smiles and fluffed up lines that kept us all entertained!!
This ended the day one and most of the young leaders went off to their rooms got tea and headed down to the evening entertainment made as a team bonding, get to know you exercise. The evening was full of laughs and smiles and built relationships outside of football as well.
Day two consisted of three workshops included refereeing, informal football and disability football. The last one being the best of all making a bunch of pretty good footballers look like total idiots haha. The workshop gave us more of an insight into amputee football with the workshop itself being lead by two GB amputee footballers. The last hour of the workshop was where we got to have a more practical go and the guys lead an amputee football match, using crutches and only using one leg for everything just like they would in a normal game. This workshop for me made me see what football can really do, it's such an adaptable and inclusive sport and can really change peoples lives in some situations and it really made me appreciate what I have and how lucky I am.
Now day three and four were where we broke off again into three separate groups depending on our specialist areas. My area obviously being coaching as it's something I am very passionate for, the two other groups were refereeing and football development. The two days were lead by Dan Greenough, Matt Craddock and Steve Swallow, all three experienced coaches and it was amazing to question them and see them do what they love to do, it was really something to look up and aim for. All three guys are in a position now that I want to be in, I want to be making a living from coaching or working for the FA and it was nice to talk to them and see that they started like I did and that it is achievable. I tried to take in everything i could over those two days and learn as much as possible from them, it was definitely an inspiring and motivational workshop as I have taken a lot back to Cornwall with me to start and look to do.
The two days allowed us to observe three quality coaches and learn from them but also allowed us to coach ourselves and show what we could do at national level in front of national staff. The whole experience was so surreal and amazing that it flew by so quickly that it had finished before i had even realised it had properly begun. The camp is something I will never forget, the things I learnt, the people I met and the reflection I made about where I am and where I want to be.
A quick mention should go to the summer ball that ended day three of camp. This night really brought everyone together, brought lots of people out of their comfort zones but also continued to strengthen the bonds that had been made already through the use of some dodgy dance moves and singing. When i came to camp this was the night i wasn't looking forward to but it ended up being the best night of them all with some many memories made and laughter shared.
The closing ceremony at the end of day four stuck with the inspirational theme that had been set through the whole of camp and some words from kid president made all of the young leaders feel ready to take something back to their county and make a difference.
Not just the camps that the wonderful FANYC set up but the whole programme itself helps to give young people a voice and really show the world what young people can do and how they can help in a massive way. I want to say massive thank you to the programme for really changing my life and helping me not only to develop in an area of my interest but also develop as a person. I wouldn't be the person and the coach i am today without this programme and now this camp.
I made so many new friends and role models over these four days. So many memories that I will remember for the rest of my life and share with everyone back home, not just because of what I leant and who I met but for all the laughs I shared and the bonds I made over such a short amount of time.
A massive thank you should be said to all staff involved in the camp from young leader mentors to national staff and the FANYC that set it all up. It was a week that changed my life and pushed me to come out of my comfort zone and challenge myself which is something I have taken with me to life back home. Thank you for the experience and the memories.
Thank you!
'Be Better or Be Different'
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