BAME Coaches inspired at Raise Your Game coaching event

Wednesday 29 Mar 2017
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Kick It Out and the Premier League hosted a Raise Your Game coaching event at West Bromwich Albion FC (WBA) on Tuesday 28 March, aimed at improving opportunities for coaches, particularly from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, to gain an insight on coaching within the Academy structure.

Thirty selected coaches were invited thanks to Kick It Out, where Mark Harrison, WBA’s Academy Manager, opened the day by detailing his methods for coaching players and how he looks to nurture young talent into becoming the best they can be on and off the pitch, with particular reference to some past and present academy talent including Saido Berahino and Jonathan Leko.

Academy analysts Adam Johnson and Sam Green gave the group an understanding of their work with academy players, including video analysis and different aspects used to monitor players’ movement on the pitch

Darren Moore, the club’s Development Phase Coach, and Jamie Smith, Under-18s coach, delivered an hour long coaching session which enabled the coaches to observe high quality coaching with the academy’s under 18s and 16s group.

The inspiring day ended with Mark hosting a Q&A session with Darren and Jamie about their transition from playing to coaching and essential tips and advice for the attendees to take into their future development.

Speaking after the #RYG coaching event, Troy Townsend, Kick It Out’s Education Manager, commented:

“West Bromwich Albion have provided a fantastic insight into the club from an academy perspective. A real eye opener for all the coaches in attendance.

“One of the main points for me was the openness of the club to host such an event initially, providing an opportunity for coaches from a variety of backgrounds and coaching levels to improve their understanding of coaching and gain invaluable insight into a professional club.

“When people ask what is being done by clubs and football in general to increase representation and understanding within coaching circles, they only need to look at events like today for answers.”

Mark was thrilled his club could play a part in Raise Your Game:

“I was blown away by Raise Your Game. Speaking to some of the coaches in attendance, who come from a number of cultures and travelled so far to attend speaks volumes about the event.

“Having gone through the journey that some of the people here today are on, I know it’s not easy. Hopefully what I have shown them today is regardless of where you’re starting or where you’ve come from that you can achieve your coaching dreams.”

Darren also praised the event and the coaches in attendance.

“Events like Raise Your Game can only have a positive impact on the coaches coming into the club today,” he explained.

“To see coaching at the elite professional level environment will allow them to relate to the work we’re doing, and also shows there is a pathway for them into the professional game which can be inspiring.”

Below is some of the feedback from the invited coaches who attended the Raise Your Game coaching event:

 

“Brilliant. Fantastic, it completely changed my outlook on academy clubs. It was really inspirational; I got to meet people I would probably never come across. It’s been really eye opening and I’ve really enjoyed myself.” – Amirah

“Today was really good, hearing the coaches’ stories was amazing. I would definitely come (to an RYG event) again.” – Nat

“It’s been really eye-opening. It’s been a great insight into academy football and what to expect from the coaches. The one-to-one insight from the coaches and their willingness to help grassroots coaches was really amazing.” – Dion

“Today’s event has been great. It’s given me more insight into West Brom and about coaching philosophy. It’s been really good – seeing coaches and ethnic minority coaches all come together, they are all doing great stuff and it’s exciting to come and see.” – Wale

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