coaches corner

April 17, 2020

If you could have dinner with any current famous soccer player who would it be and why?

“I would go with Leighton Baines. He plays for my favorite team (Everton FC) and as an aspiring left back, I modelled my game on him as a young player. He is a true professional, has a wand of a left foot, very down to earth bloke & carries his guitar everywhere he goes so I think he would be great company!”

What have you learned about yourself from being quarantined these days that you didn’t already know?

“I have rediscovered my love for tennis. As a kid I would play soccer 24/7 from August to May then throw myself into tennis during the summer months. I had to choose between the two sports when I was relatively young which was a tough decision so to have some extra time to reignite my passion for tennis has been fun despite the courts now being closed by the city. I have also learned that I am horrible in the kitchen compared to my better half!”

As one of our original Coppell FC academy coaches and Academy Directors, what would you say you are most proud of when you look back at where the club started on the academy side in 2013?

“It fills me with immense pride to see how the club has evolved & expanded over the last 8 years. To look back and see how we first started operating, the challenges faced getting the academy off the ground in a competitive arena like North Texas & the teething problems that came with implementing a new concept to where we are today is very encouraging. Expansion is always great & perhaps a sign things are developing in the right direction but improving the quality of our players, teams, coaches and club operations as a whole over this period are what really makes it a pleasure to be part of this club and excited for the future.”

Where would you like to travel to first when travel can be resumed and you have some vacation time?

“I was fortunate to visit Colombia shortly before the quarantine began and loved it - beautiful country, excellent food, lovely people & they share a passion for soccer so I would go back there in a heartbeat. I would love to see my family back home in England & maybe a trip to Colorado if international travel wasn’t on the cards!”

What would you say is the most rewarding aspect of coaching? 

“A couple of areas that really drive me as a coach are creating a learning environment for kids to have fun & be challenged in the process. Working as a team towards common goals & instilling a lifelong passion for the sport are also very rewarding aspects of the role. Coaching can have a positive impact in countless ways on young athletes not only on the field but also at school, at home & society in general by giving them the confidence & guidance they need to be successful.”

Tell us a little about your youth experience playing soccer in England?

“I started playing soccer in the backyard with my big brother when I was around 4-5 years old. From there I developed my love for the game, joined my local recreational team and represented my school. I was fortunate to be selected to represent the City of Liverpool Schoolboys in state, regional and national competitions through U9 - U 10. I represented the Liverpool FC Academy from U10 - U14 competing against club academies from across the UK & Europe before joining Wigan Athletic FC’ youth program until I was released at 16. I played for Sheffield Hallam University at collegiate level whilst studying in the UK for 3 years before moving to Texas.”

What are the biggest differences coaching U8 girls & U13 boys from your experience so far?

“Both ages are a pleasure to work with & bring fresh challenges and diversity for my development as a coach. Working with the younger players is all about having fun & getting kids on the right pathway with their technical development & love of the game from a young age in a positive learning environment. The same could be said for the older players but having worked with the majority of the boys since they were U8/U9, this has really helped my understanding on the various stages of development players go through and the introduction of different technical, tactical, social & psychological aspects of the game as they progress.”

So we heard you just got engaged, congrats! How did you propose?!?

“Thank you! It was certainly a challenge keeping it a secret whilst in quarantine together the past few weeks but I managed to make it a surprise & special moment for us. We went on our daily walk to Klyde Warren Park in Dallas, took in the scenery on a beautiful day & shared some memories together before I asked the question. I had a close friend of ours go incognito & hide in a bush at the park to capture the moment & share a glass afterwards as we called our family & friends which was a lot of fun!”