Coach Mentoring Programme
The coach mentoring programme was set up in November 2019 with a number of key aims:
- To identify future academy coaches
- To provide opportunities for coaches to gain insight into our academy environment
- To develop links with local coaches
- To extend the number of coaches supporting players across the academy
What we want:
- Committed and enthusiastic coaches with good levels of coaching experience and a desire to work within an Academy environment
- Minimum L2 qualified, ideally L3 or working towards L3 (UEFA B)
- Commitment to support at least one practice night and one game per week
What’s in it for coaches:
- Access to work within an open and supportive coaching environment
- Opportunity to take part in all coach development activities – including CPD, observations, development action planning
Testimonials:
“Being part of the Coach Mentoring Programme at STFC academy has been a great experience. Having the opportunity to work with academy players at various age ranges during training sessions and match days, working alongside high-quality coaches. Also having access to great CPD events and the coach development support of full-time members of staff.”
Harry Brown (January 2021)
“I am grateful for the Shrewsbury Town volunteer program. Rob Williams and David Longwell were welcoming right from the beginning. Charlie Musselwhite and Alex Ramsey gave freely their advice and knowledge of the academy environment. They created an egoless environment. Which I noticed immediately.
"Before I could coach a single second of academy football, I was given access to the same learning resources and continued professional development programs as the paid coaches. I have been given opportunities to coach, travel, and help develop players that would not have been possible if Shrewsbury Town had not run this program. I am a much better coach today because of it.”
Ben Kamara – Adams (January 2021)
“I returned from working abroad without being committed to a club and decided to have a period of coach development through observing different coaches. I contacted Shrewsbury Town to enquire about the possibility of observing sessions within the academy and Rob Williams invited me over for a chat. He told me about the Coach Mentoring Programme, and I thought it was too good an opportunity to turn down.
"A very good environment has been created within the Shrewsbury Town academy. There is a clear programme to work to, the support for me as a coach is always there, feedback is regular and precise and CPD events are regular and really engaging to be involved in. Having spent several years coaching within senior football, it did take a short amount of time to adjust back to junior football, and the environment made it both easy and enjoyable. As Head of Coaching, Rob Williams provides and oversees development opportunities for all coaches, regardless of whether full-time, part-time, or volunteer. Would I recommend getting involved with the Coach Mentoring Programme? Absolutely. You are missing out on a great opportunity if you don’t.”
Mark Simpson (January 2021)
“The program has given me the opportunity to develop my coaching skills with support from the Head of Coaching and other academy coaches. It started with just 1 day a week with the opportunity to come in and work on a game day on a Sunday. I was then given the opportunity to support coaches in delivering sessions and delivering myself as well. It also gives you the opportunity to watch other coaches work and pick up things along the way to help me develop.
"I’m now a part-time coach with the u14 having done the volunteering program which I must say does work for those who are looking to work at an elite level. I can’t thank Rob and the club enough for the opportunity they have given me.”
Matt Aubrey (January 2021)
"I got involved in the volunteer scheme to help broaden my mind and develop my coaching skills and my coaching process. The experience I have had so far has been brilliant, I thought I might be there to place cones and do the other little bits most people don’t like to do and in return, I would have the chance to watch the sessions and games and develop that way. The scheme is much more than just placing cones and watching sessions from the sideline, I have been involved in the planning, delivering, and reviewing of sessions, also being present in match days where my opinion is not just listened to but valued. I have had the chance to work with a lot of highly experienced and highly qualified coaches both on the grass and on our virtual meetings. I have learned more than I thought possible at the start of my journey in the volunteer scheme and with the people involved I can’t see that stopping anytime soon. It has been an eye-opening experience and something I am really happy I joined."
If you are a coach and are interested in opportunities that may exist to join the Coach Mentoring Programme please email: Daniel Reece via daniel.reece@shrewsburytown.co.uk (please use Coach Mentoring Programme as the subject title)
Grassroots Club and Coach Support
This programme was started in October 2019 and has continued to develop ever since. It provides opportunities for local grassroots club coaches to gain an insight into the Academy programme and also build tighter relationships between the Academy and local clubs.
There are a number of potential opportunities available:
- Local coaches visit the academy to hear more about the coaching programme and player development and observe the practice
- STFC Academy coach(es) visit your club to deliver a workshop with players and coaches
- Online workshops delivered by STFC Academy coaches with a specific focus that links to your club
Testimonials:
“It was a great insight into coaching at a higher level and key points about planning and strategy really impressed me.”
Leyton Jordan, Bournville Warriors
If you are a coach and are interested in opportunities that may exist to join the Coach Mentoring Programme please email: Charlie Musselwhite via charliemusselwhite@shrewsburytown.co.uk (please use grassroots support as the subject title)
Student Placement Opportunities
There are opportunities for students currently studying specific areas such as analysis, and S&C to support our programme through season-long placements to gain experience and insight into these roles within professional football.
If you are a current student and think this would be of interest then please email: Charlie Musselwhite via charliemusselwhite@shrewsburytown.co.uk (please use placement support as the subject title)
