Griffin “Can’t Wait” to Host Next Coach Education Session After Inaugural Success

As the Academy continues to progress through its first full season in operation, we took an evening to focus on the local grassroots and academy coaches that form the backbone of football in the area, offering our first-ever free Coach Education session at the Windsor Foodservice Stadium last Friday (12th November).

The session was overseen by Academy Director Laurie Griffin, and focused on introducing the various coaching and player management styles available across all levels of football. Before the session began, the bar space had already filled up with coaches from around the local area, spanning all ages and a multitude of coaching levels. “To see so many enthusiastic and engaged coaches,” Griffin commented, “on the first of many coach education workshops was incredible.”

Engagement would certainly be the key theme of the first half of the session, which took place in the conference room, and had coaches take part in group discussions and debates, sharing experiences and comparing and contrasting coaching methods across the spectrum of grassroots football. The discussion was accompanied by a short presentation, which helped to channel the topics of discussion, and each coach completed a questionnaire in order to better understand their own individual preferred learning styles.

“It was fantastic to see members of the local football community so passionate in their own development, and [to see them] eager to support the experience for their players,” Griffin said.

With the conclusion of the first half of the session, after a small break, the coaches were then given a chance to put their methods to the test practically, as they took part in drills run by Griffin, who then challenged the coaches to improve or better tailor each activity, based on positional specifics and learning styles. Of course, the session ended with a small game, in which Griffin demonstrated methods to intervene on various levels, introducing additional challenges on an individual, group, and team level, while continuing to encourage the attendees to contribute feedback and give their own insight.

The session was greatly enjoyed by all, in spite of some tired legs by the end of the session, and the coaches who attended will certainly feel they have much to take back to their respective teams and implement in their sessions. We thank everyone who showed up, and hope to see you again soon.

“We as a club are committed to supporting the development of grassroots football,” Griffin added, “from both a player and coaching perspective. We can't wait to deliver the next one!"

For information on future coach education sessions, be sure to stay locked in to our social media platforms, as well as checking the Coach Education tab on the website.