So I've had my job for over a month. I thought the novelty of having a job in football would wear off, but every time it gets close something comes ups which excites me because it's something I never dreamt of.. or if I did I had no idea how my feelings would explode when the opportunity occurred.
Let me take you back a month, getting the phone call and falling silent after hearing the words 'They'd like to offer you the job.' I thought everything would be a breeze, after all everyone loves football...
Something I've taken for granted is the number of people on the Football Futures programme. Knowing how many people love volunteering in football, I fell into the trap of thinking every one, in the whole, entire, world was like that. Reality slap, they aren't.
Barrier number 1, getting people to be involved within football somehow. I've got to think, 'how can make others enjoy the game?' I cant hope that students will come to me, I have to go to them. But that's the fun part, now my action plan is pretty much written, I've got ideas on the go for festivals, women's initiatives and futsal to build and put into action. Something that I've only ever dreamt of. Typically I only get to see the need product, or be a part of the running. But now, the ownership is all mine. To recruit people to help, sort out venues, formulate plans and then deliver. There is so much behind an event it's unbelievable.
Of course, not everything is plain sailing, there are ups and downs as with everything. Waiting for emails to give me something to do, standing in the rain, not getting the interest you want. But that's all part of the job.
I've had to learn that everything cant be done at the same time, I can't put every plan into action the minute I write it. I've got to learn to spread things over time, think about what's best and the reality of it all. I can hope for hundreds of females to take up football, but I start building Rome today it will be built and still standing in years to come.
Following the first couple of weeks, me settling into the office with my own desk, getting to know everyone that I need to know, I'm starting to find my way. Having meetings and writing plans around what I want to do this season which will have a knock on effect to forth-coming seasons.
The stress and worries that I have/had are slowly starting to disappear into excitement and optimism for the future. I can start to relax and do things at the pace that they need to be done.. not all in the same 5 minutes.
Yesterday I went to The City of Preston Gymnastics Centre and met Preston City Council's Gymnastics Development Officer. Her enthusiasm is infectious and I certainly got swept along. some of the projects which have taken place and continue to build are phenomenal, planning for the future not the immediate. Although my projects and plans aren't on the same scale, I've got the desire to make them the best I can they can be and do everything I can to make things work out.
The little bit of enthusiasm that I lost is starting to come back, seeing the planning dates and aims makes things always feel close. Plans may have been written but there is a long way to go before they are even delivered!
Loving the challenges my job is giving me, I've just got to find a balance between my uni work, volunteering and my job.. starting to find ways around the problem - but it's a long years ahead!
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