Blog: “You can’t put a price on seeing people learn new skills"
This year’s Coaching Week (7–13 June) theme is Coaching for All, and it kicks off with the launch of The Great Coaching Comeback. A year-long campaign aimed at supporting coaches across the UK as they return to coaching. To celebrate Coaching Week, we hear from football coach and one of our engagement advisors, Alex Giles. Alex tells us about his coaching experience and his hopes for returning to coaching after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hi, I’m Alex, I am 31 years old, and for the past seven years I have coached a powerchair football team. I have quadriplegia cerebral palsy which affects both my arms and legs.
I have always had an interest in coaching and teaching. When I did my BTEC at college I would spend my free time observing the coaches in the sports hall. After some time, the teachers offered for me to complete my FA level one qualification.
At the time, I played for Albion Foundation powerchair football team. Off the back of doing my qualification, the coaches asked if I would like to coach one of the development teams. I wasn’t the best player on the team so I thought I might be a better coach!
I uncovered a real mix of ability and knowledge in the development team. I found it enjoyable to teach and support people to develop their knowledge and skills.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic I did 2-3 hours of coaching a week. The most rewarding part of being a coach is seeing the people you work with enjoy what they do, develop their skills, and progress to a team higher up in the league. I really love the buzz of being around people and so lockdown has been tough. I have really missed the social interaction coaching brings.
Between June and December last year I had the opportunity to coach Titans FC, a non-disabled team. It was my first time coaching a bigger team of 16-20 people. I was mindful that some players may question how I would coach them effectively, but I had players demonstrate drills to help get my messages and coaching points across to the whole team.
Coaching a non-disabled team was a real eye-opener and I could not have wished to have worked with a better group. The team really got behind me as the coach and I feel that made a big difference to my experience. Unfortunately, due to other commitments I have not been able to return to coaching them.
It feels good to be back coaching now COVID restrictions are easing. I have coached one powerchair football session so far. It was nice to be around other people and interact with them again, but there are a lot more things to consider now. I was a bit apprehensive initially as we must follow different protocols and plan sessions to accommodate social distancing. It is interesting having to coach with a mask on too!
Coaching is massively important to me, I enjoy playing football and competing, but coaching gives me an opportunity to support and be a role model for others. I hope that when someone sees me coaching, they will think that they can achieve their dreams too.
I’m very passionate about enabling more disabled people to be active through sport and activity. But I do feel we need to actively encourage more disabled people to get into coaching. I think when you see someone like you doing something, it encourages you to try to achieve your goals too. My message to disabled people who want to get into coaching is be fearless and resilient! Go out and find out about your local clubs and contact them about how you can get involved.
More information
All this week UK Coaching will be highlighting how great coaching is instrumental in creating a healthier and happier nation. Follow the conversations on Twitter using hashtag #GreatCoaching.
In partnership with UK Coaching, Activity Alliance’s Inclusive Activity Programme can equip you with the skills to engage disabled people and people with long-term health conditions more effectively in activities. Find out more about the Inclusive Activity Programme and training opportunities for coaches here.
