Dear all,

Im new to the board and im currently training to be a solicitor. I dont foresee my career in law though and so i am looking to be a coach, like many 1000's. Whilst I am realistic and understand there is a lot of work, commitment and time dedicated to coaching I would love any pointers and advice from all, experienced or not.

My footballing CV reads that I have played in the Bexley League for 8 years, Kent League for 2 and had a brief spell in semi professional football before sever knee ligament injury stopped me and i went into law. I am 23 years old. I also have my Junior Team Manager badge and child protection certificate and I have been coaching an under 13's team for a season now and will continue with this. I amalso planning to do my level 1 and level 2 badges (level one in sept/october and two in november).

What I would like to know is how have people found the badges? prospects of a career? up's and down's of coaching? any pearls of wisdom?

I look forward to talking to you all and thank you in advance for your time and help.

thanks

steve

Hi Steve,

In terms of badges are you able to make every Level One date? If so, find a frame for your certificate as you've already passed.

Level 2 a month after your first badge is possibly too soon. I started on the Level 2 so am probably not the best to comment but passing the Level 2 is definitely an achievement, and something not easily done. The passrate is somethign like 40percent but you work with a Youth team at an age where they are looking for good coaching is an advantage. Best to read back a few pages on here and look at everyone elses opinions too.

The same goes for work...it can be tough to find, not as concrete as a solicitor, usually pays no-where near as good as I imagine a solicitor would and can usually be something people drop out of. That's sadly the truth but again, read others opinions as this is just mine.

Advice would be to get your FA Goal CRB Check and then join FACA after your Level One. Good luck with it all.

thanks very much for all your pointers, they are most appreciated. how do i go about getting my crb check if i may ask? and does it cost to join the FACA? sorry for so many questions, just like to know im doing things right!

also i have the junior team manager award and my child protection certificate, is this the CRB check that i need or is it something completely different? thanks to all who reply

I did my level 1 in september 2005, then got a job at a development centre to get some experience. Ive just passed my level 2 and im 20 so i think you've got to get some experience of coaching before you go onto level 2 i think.

YouthCoach I bet you found it alot easier with experience too?...

All info can be obtained on the FA website...look for FA Goal (Child Protection) and yes it does cost to join FACA, but it's worth it. Again, all available on the FA website www.thefa.com

Your child protection certificate needs to be updated as it is now slightly different and called the "Safeguarding Children" course, and a CRB is a completely different thing anyway.

thanks Jack. I will certainly take all thoughts on board and I have had a good read on the FA site. I will also look into updating my child protection certificate.

Can i ask how I go about getting my CRB please? I looked on the site and it says its £12 but I dont know how to actually apply for the check etc when im not properly with a club yet but will be after the summer break, I did want it before hand so I could go in slightly prepared

To email an enquiry contact crb@TheFA.com or to speak with someone at The FA CRB Unit ring 0800 085 0506

I'd say that doing your Level 2 a month after your level 1 is fine if you have a bit of experience, and a team to coach. I've known several people to not bother with the Level 1. If you are committed and prepared to learn, I think you'll pass your Level 2. As for a career in Law v a career in football coaching. I'd take the Law and do the coaching as a hobby or bit of extra pocket money. Ask the team you coach to help provide you with a CRB, It would be good practice for them anyway, even if you offered to pay the £12.

thanks again for all information. This is an excellent board with friendly, knowledgable people indeed!

To update you all I have contacted my club and they will sort the crb for me which is a relief although ive offered to pay the £12 as a gesture of thanks.

I have also enrolled for my level 1 on the 2nd september to 23rd. Whats the course actually like given its four full working days? How is the exam? Is it really a 20 min speech on a topic?

I am also doing the online level 1 support package, has anyone used this before? Did you find it useful?

thanks all

steve

Good man.

The Level One is basically split up like this usually)

1st Day - Intro and Demonstration of drills by Tutor
2nd Day - Further Drills and you do a practice drill yourself, this drill will be what you are being "assessed" on.
3rd Day - Morning is Child Protection for 3 hours for a qualification, Afternoon is Emergency Aid for 3 hours for the other qualification (which has to be completed to pass)
4th day - Everyones assessments

All straight forward. The assessment isn't a "speech", of course it's a Coaching session!!! A 10-15 minute session (that you will have already done on the second day). No one rips you to shreds, everyone has a laugh and if you struggle your teammates will help you out. As long as it is safe, appropriate and fun you will pass.

Good luck.

Don't worry about it Steve, it is very easy as you will find out. When I did mine in 2004 we had one bloke completely naff up his topic in as much as he was nearly coaching something totally different. However, he passed! As long as you keep your cool, smile, praise them you're there. You will hear the phrase 'let the game be the teacher'. Basically you mark your pitch, do the quick into, explain/show the game, let them play it and thats pretty much it.

thanks teilo, jack and everyone who has had an input here. Im looknig forward to my level one and hope to progress fairly rapidly but understand it takes time and would either do a good job then rush and not do it too well!

also doing the level one additional online program although havent received my pack yet to aid me with it. Also i have got my crb check sorted so all should be good for the new season with my under 14's team.

For anyone who is a professional coach, without sounding money hungry, what are the career prospects like and the earning capacity? Its something i know very little about. thanks guys, steve