Let this be a word of warning to any parent whose children play football. The question ‘who will be running the Under 8’s next year?’ is quite often answered with ‘nobody at the moment – do you fancy it?’
That conversation took place 5 years ago and I am just about to embark on my 6th season as Coach/Manager of my son's football team at Cottenham United Colts Football Club – and I love it! To see a child that could barely kick a ball at the age of 8, develop into a handy little right midfielder is what it is all about.
With the Under 8’s and Under 9’s the role of the coach is really important. You have to develop each child, giving them all equal opportunity to play. The football is 6 or 7 a-side with squads of 10 - 14 players and I have spent hours on a Friday night calculating how to give each child equal pitch time. Too many coaches play their 'best' 5 or 6 players for large portions of the game giving the weaker players barely a few minutes at the end. This is plainly wrong. It is the coach that is seeking the 'glory' of winning rather than enabling all the children to develop as footballers and enjoy the game. They will say that it's a competitive world and all about winning but that is the coach speaking - not the children. Quite frankly, children at that age don't mind getting beaten 13 - 1. They just all want to play and the thrill of scoring that 1 goal consumes the 13 that they may have let in at the other end.
My role as a coach now, to Under 13’s, is to make sure that my players play with the right attitude, behaving in a manner that is a credit to themselves, their parents and the club. Of course, at this age, winning has become more important to them and we go out with the aim to win. But, we also play football the right way. They are taught to pass and move rather than just lump it upfield to the big lad upfront.
So, if you have a child who wants to play football just be careful what questions you ask! But if you do decide to get involved just wait until your first end of season party and see the appreciation from the children and the parents. It’s worth every minute!
