Reader,
I believe the best coaches are always learning, pairing a culture of performance with a culture of constant curiosity. A critical component of coach development is the importance of mentors and role models.
Finding someone with whom you can share ideas, who can provide feedback, and potentially offer opportunities in new environments, is a key part of progressing with your coaching.
I have been so fortunate to learn from world-class coaches like Tony Readings, Stuart English, Arthur Brammer, Dan Wright and many more. More importantly, they all became friends through football.
All of these coaches provided me with honest feedback and were key supporters in my development.
As I get older and support young coaches, I now find myself in a position to lead coaches in a club environment, deliver coach development more formally and often simply sit over coffee with ambitious young coaches who want to learn and potentially carve out a career in football.
Three things to consider.
- If you don’t have a high-quality mentor, build your network. Utilise tools like LinkedIn, and don’t be afraid to ask your regional or national governing bodies to connect with coaches.
- As you build connections, see who can open the door to new environments to watch coaches more experienced than you, see different types of sessions, and don’t be limited to only observing coaches in football.
- Buy coffee! If you approach experienced coaches and ask to buy them a coffee, that half-hour chat can be exceptionally valuable and by nature coaches tend to want to help others, so you never know what doors this could open.
One thing for you to try this week.
Identify a mentor or role model you would like to connect with and send them an email, LinkedIn message or approach a club/governing body to observe. If you are messaging someone, make the note personal, provide context and keep it brief.
One critical resource on the topic.
Check out this Masterclass Discussion on the importance of mentors in coaching with Trevor Challis from Bristol City FC.
