What a year!

This is possibly the most difficult blog I've attempted to write, I started it nearly a week ago. Difficult because I don't know where to begin, how to word the year, feelings and the person who I have become - that's becoming a bit of a tag line.

We're nearing the end of 2014, I'm still left wondering where the time has gone. Feels like seconds ago since I was on my way to SGP for the first NGYC meeting of the year and left wondering how I'd deal with a trip to Africa. Just think, that has all already passed. Sitting here now, knowing that I've got 6 assignments before graduating form uni, it's not just this year which has flown by. 

Sometimes, it's not until you take a step back, that you can see the developments which have been made. And it's now being able to relax and have a few days of not rushing around that I can really reflect on the journey through 2014. 

A year where dreams have literally come true, however cheesy it sounds, I feel fortunate to have worked with so many people, made some incredible friends and done some unreal things. It's been a year of realisation, worry, elation, pride, excitement, and near enough every other feeling imaginable. Someone said to me in January, 'This is your year' I honestly didn't believe it would be. 

Arriving into January off the back of a difficult family event, it would be easy to to assume I'd start in the bad mood as I did last year, however the feelings were different. After having the best run up to Christmas, feelings of excitement and worry were the 2 prominent feelings. 

Although I'd been told not to, it was worry of being incompetent, that I wasn't good enough, I'd talked the talk but might not have been able to walk the walk. A serious position of unknown, not wanting to reveal feelings and worries in doubt of looking incapable and I guess weak. A completely different feeling of bitterness. This in the mix with excitement, knowing I would be about to embark on a terrific journey - along a path I've wanted to follow, but never knew how or what to expect. Knowing you want something, but not knowing how to make it happen or where the path would lead (hope that makes sense)! 
As I've written in many previous posts, being a part of The FA National Game Youth Council became a dream of mine after attending National Camp in 2012. I didn't know what it would entail, how I would ever fit in, what they even did to begin with.. But I knew, that's where I wanted to get to. 

To now have spent a year on the team, working my socks off to support the counties in the North West the best I can, working with and for the National Team, reaching our goal of youth council/ forum coverage in County FAs is an exceptional feeling. To know that my NGYC journey will last for at least another 6 months is extremely exciting. To get to support counties to the end of the season, see plans go through and be able to further build on what I've already done. That along with being able to support the delivery of National Camp again, it's literally what dreams are made of. 

Being honest, I was dubious at first, not fully knowing everyone on the team, but as the year has gone on, I wouldn't change anything or anyone. I've been able to work with such amazing people and really make a difference in football. 

There's no nice way to word it, nor will this come across right, but staying on for 6 months to me says, you've done it. Not you've made it, because nobody makes it's - there is always a way to be better - but I've hit the dream/goal. It's been everything I expected and more, I've revelled in meeting new people, taking on the challenge and proving to myself, more than others, that I'm good enough. It's helped me to direct my life into a possible career, it's allowed me to create and now develop new teams of people and influence my peers, young people across the country and the not so young people with young hearts. It's one thing to influence a young person at an event, it's another to influence adults and staff. 
From the Youth Council to Rwanda, being able to follow in the footsteps of Football Futures legends travelling across the world to use the game to develop others. I'm still learning from the experience, looking back thinking about the way I acted, events of the week and now wondering how they are getting on since we left. 

Just as university lecturers speak of the development and value of a degree far after graduating, I feel the same from my Changing Lives experience. It's learning to gain perspective, really understand the difference you've made in the life of another, no matter how small, which holds real value.

Although I don't believe in luck, Rwanda has made me believe in fate, just a little bit. Being ill on that final day was and is a blessing in disguise. Blinded by my own work and lack of belief, I hadn't seen the development of those around me. Being told of how my peers had got on, being able to compare the first day to the stories of the last. Seeing brief clips of videos encapsulating everything I had tried to teach them.. proving to me that development maybe small, but when you step back - the development is a lot bigger than you first thought. 

I've come home with a better perspective of the world and a greater understanding of the word development. It doesn't define getting from one stage to another, but the movement in-between. The work that goes into even just a small progression. It's not about arriving at 'B' but the pathway leading towards it.

I'm so incredibly grateful for being selected to go to Rwanda and will be forever grateful to have people believe in my abilities/ me as a person to make that decision. 

From Rwanda to Durham, attending their Football Futures Camp which lived up to and exceeded all of my expectations. Just seeing the incredible learning environment which had been created, the number of people who attended and how well run it was. By young leaders, for young leaders. Being able to share my journey at the end of the day was a pleasure. Literally another dream, I'm just Sarah from that little county of Shropshire, and I always will be. I don't see myself as anything else, just the football girl. It was incredibly humbling to be asked to speak, I've done some incredible things, but I don't think I'm an incredible person. I just work hard and enjoy what comes.

BUCS Football Futures Conference and the FA National Football Futures Camp, being able to support the running of both events. Enjoying working with young leaders and candidates whilst learning myself. And usually that's learning from my peers. Being able to influence, well try to, people in a similar way in which I had been when I attended Camp. Sitting on the other side of the event. I can remember literally buzzin' throughout the entire week, but also being able to remain calm and fulfil my role properly. Singing on the first night married with 1-1 conversations, a skill I saw in others when I attended Camp in 2012. This year I've come to recognise that working with people is what I enjoy most, maybe it's not so much the football bit at all, but the person bit. Working to support and develop another. The challenge is to now find a job which allows me to do just that. 

My last student summer was spent accomplishing a personal goal, in less than a month I learnt to drive, passed my test and bought a car. Something I set to hit at the start if the year, and it was a challenge itself to get through the frustrations and negative thoughts which each lesson brought with it. And I think I did alright, 3 minors later and I've a pink card with my name and mug shot on it.

Returning back to university to my final year. The one that counts apparently. It's not all fun and games, a struggle more like. Trying to balance other aspects if my life, find time to juggle and do my uni work. It turned to be a mental struggle, I don't want to be there. I want to be out in the world in a job which I look forwards to, being around people who actually might want to be there each day. A struggle influenced by external circumstances, decisions I has made which weren't paying off. But you can't learn from a mistake until it's made. I've hit my Christmas break, all assignments handed in on time and I don't think I've ever written this well. Might becoming a library resident, but I'm hoping it will pay off, hopefully.

Conscious of space, and your eyes as the reader. I'm going to try and wrap up this post. Try being the key word there. There is so much more that I could have written about here, and so much I've missed out, I know, I'm sorry. It's difficult, it's taken me ages to write this, now i don't want to stop. 

You can't move forwards until you decide to leave the space you're standing in, just as you can't learn from mistakes if you don't make them. I've made so many errors and mistakes this year, had so many moments where I've wondered what I'm doing and where I'm going. But it's felt really amazing to be lost in the right direction at times. As I said at the top, I've made some immense new friends who have helped me though a few challenges of recent. Met some incredible people who have inspired me and proved that I have a lot more to give. People who I've looked up to have now become close friends who have endured numerous deep conversations and millions of emails. And I've had the old guard who have propped me up when I was starting to falter. 

There have been odd moments which stand out the most, a brief conversation on the first evening at Camp, an email just before heading out to Rwanda, a phone call of youth council support and a gesture of approval to lead a group of young people. Yes, these are all small, but very significant gestures. Gestures which show the huge group of backing dancers I have supporting me through my life right now, backing dancers, featuring artists and a harmonic choir, who all help me feel and look a little bit better. So to the team of friends, family, mentors, peers, tutors and everyone else who has and continues to help me along my journey through life, a sincere THANK YOU! 

I know that there is struggle ahead, 4 months to complete my degree, decide which career path I wish to take and try and follow it. Decisions around volunteering opportunities, what do I and don't I accept. After a fantastic year, which has both rewarded and challenged me further, I've got to use all of the skills and qualities I've developed over the last few years to hit the finish line of one race before moving to the start line of another. Maybe it's not a new race, I might just be passing the baton on.

Thank you for reading this blog and keeping up with my journey though 2014, I hope you've been able to feel the elation and challenges. It's been a superb year, as I've said, I doubt next year will top it for experiences - but there will be numerous hurdles which will need me to use everything I've got and learnt to get over. 

Strange how Football Futures has prepared me for life using the power of football. 

'There are 2 types of people in life; those who want to be something and those who want to do something. '

National Game Youth Council 2014

I've literally no idea where the year has gone. December 2013 getting 'The Call' off Lauren to say I've had my application accepted, I can remember the shine in my Dad's eyes when I told him, he knowing also, how much the NGYC means to me and how much I wanted to be a part of it. 

The anticipation and apprehension of meeting the team for the first team, nerves and worry of it all, wanting to make a good first impression, being on a team led by people who I look up to. The stress of the not knowing what to expect, already doubting myself before leaving the start line. And this was all before we started. 

Now on my way home from Wembley (well I was when I wrote this) with a backpack full of memories, I can't help but think and enjoy revelling in the years' successes, events and developments. This year has gone well above and beyond everything which I expected. A group of people, now a team. Strangers, who are now friends. This doesn't just happen by accident. 

This year has shown me where I want to take my life, how much working with young people means to me and that Laura Danskin was right 2 years ago. Looks like football development probably is for me. 

It's not been easy. Please don't take the good news stories and positivity as sign it's been a pleasurable walk in the park, because it's been far from it. Challenges which I didn't expect to face, none more that those which I created myself. I'm known for underestimating my abilities and low self confidence, I constantly tell myself I need to work on it.. But these aren't things which you can pull out of your backpack everyday. It's a common thought of, 'why should people believe in/ have confidence in you if you don't believe in yourself?' A very worthy question. 

Challenges of communication, learning to be smarter and using a method which gets responses, not what's easiest. I started the year knowing the end destination but not knowing how to get there. Wanting to develop youth set ups in the North West, but I didn't think about the how. I've learnt that you can't just impose ideas on people and hope they agree. You've got to create and build relationships. Understand each other's aims, values and objectives and then build for the future together. This isn't to say I've made it to the end destinations, but what I've achieved and succeeded in has been a lot more sustainable and effective.

I've learnt that life is like a jigsaw, NGYC life that is. You can't throw all the pieces on the floor and hope they land in the right places. You've got to take time to create the smaller connections and build from there. Enjoy the small successes, when something just clicks, you make a small break through.. Which will then add up to make a bigger impact before completing and seeing the bigger picture. It's understanding that no-one reaches the top of the ladder with 1 large step, but a series of steps which add up. 

Now, sitting back and reflecting, as I do, I can genuinely see the person I've become over the year. The slow thinker hasn't changed, but the outcomes of thinking have. The pessimist in the face of challenge has learnt to bounce back a little better, stand a little stronger and see the opportunity in the challenge. And opportunity is the right word, I've had the opportunity to meet and work with so many amazing people. Amazing in their own right. Passionate people who want to drive change in football. The opportunity to sing in front of 120+ people, to deliver presentations at the BUCS Football Development Conference, Football Futures Conference and Activator Inductions. The opportunity to make a difference. 

The days spent doing youth council work, and being with the team are ones I cherish and look forwards to. They are the brighter days which allow me to put the stress of uni and life to one side, and really work to developing something for other people. 

'Inspiration is contagious, you've just got to be around the right people to catch it.' I feel fortunate to have been around a group of unbelievable people. People who care about the development of their peers as much as the development of their counties. I must thank them for their persistent support and help when required, for making the journey enjoyable, challenging and worthwhile. 

NGYC 2014, team it's been an honour and pleasure to have worked with you all this year. To have shared so many fantastic experiences, from camp to throwing army soldiers out of hotel windows. I have loved every minute, working with you all when we're together and for you all when we're apart. 

To Steve and Donna, thank you for your help and support this year and beyond. It's invaluable, I wouldn't be where I am or the person I am without you both. Although Steve will say, it's what you do with the opportunities you're presented with, it is also about those who travel the journey with you and help you along the way.

Kieren, a fantastic mentor and friend whose guidance has been supremely appreciated. I'm incredibly excited that our journey working together will continue, but for now - thank you for all of the time you've given me.

The year might be over, but the journey continues. Not all who wander are lost. 

To the heroes.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgF1Enrgo2g

BDLA 14

A cow barn in Herefordshire, sound riveting? Possibly not.
Staying in yurts.. Yeah I didn't know what they were either. Metal chairs and
hay bales.. Not your average seating arrangement. Now you probably think I got
lost on my way to the BUCS Deloitte Leadership Academy 2014, but in actual fact
the country's 3rd best cow farm was the location of the event. A stripped back
venue bearing challenges of it's own, 100 university students holding sporting
leadership roles from across the country came together to experience an
incredible event built to test , develop and enhance leadership skills and
qualities.  With very little information,
other than an extensive itinerary, the 2 day event was very secret and left us
all questioning what to expect. Already excited, networking was taking place
from the moment I left the train station, a 40 minute drive to the venue
allowed conversation to ebb and flow. It was different to be at an event where
everyone isn't completely sport orientated. Students studying math, chemistry,
psychology, English literature.. who also hold a sports leadership role in
their university. 100 other like minded people who had applications accepted
and wanted to be there. After being allocated our yurts, for those like me -
this just means posh tent, we had time to mingle and talk to other students
before the opening ceremony. Tom Lewthwaite from Deloitte opened the event by
saying, 'think of it as what you put into it, not what you can get out of it.'
How could we make the event the best of it's kind, and by switching your
mindset, it is possible. Karen Rothery, CEO of BUCS then stepped up and said,
'It's ok to be your own leader.' Leadership is as much about leading yourself
as it is leading a team.




Further speeches were given by 2 Deloitte employees, who
developed their leadership and employability skills through university sports
leadership positions. Tyler O'Callaghan shared with us the Pillars of
Leadership: Goals, Confidence and Delivery.




Goals - without them you wont achieve anything, you wont
know your end destination and where you want to arrive at. Start at the end
point, your destination, and work backwards. Get the buy in from others, tell
everyone about your goals, not just to make things more concrete for yourself
which might raise the expectation level, but they also might be able to help
you along the way.




Confidence - A positive attitude inspires others. Belief in
yourself is everything, how can you expect others to back you, if you don't
back yourself?




Delivery - Motivation, hard-work and enjoyment. You need all
3 to be successful.




Fred Gill then spoke of his experiences in rowing in his
university settings. 'Just because you lose, doesn't mean you're a bad leader.'
Make sure you are a radiator not a drain. Radiate motivation and support. Don't
be a drain and pull away other people's ideas and drain them of their energy.
Similarly you should be a fountain not a drain pipe. 




Greg Sturge completed the opening ceremony, a graduate from
last years BDLA, Greg is the first BUCS intern. His advice was to be a keeno
and make the most of the 2 day, 'there is always room to learn.'  




We then moved into the event itself, run by Fieri, a team of
military based workers who deliver programmes to develop leadership skills
through military based activities. Matt Johns led on the overall running, first
of all looking at task management.




Task management was split into a 6 station process; Plan,
Briefing, Control, Supporting, Informing and Evaluating.




Plan - When planning you need to think about, What are the
aims of the task? What factors are going to affect outcomes? What options are
open? Which way can you go? What's your plan going to be. You cant rush into
the first option which comes into your head, you need to think about a range of
things to create a plan which might have a chance of working. This process
involves all team members, not just the leader. By involving the whole there is
a sense of ownership on the plan and more of a buy in to then go and achieve
it.




Briefing - Brief you team on the plan, what have you decided
to do and how are you going to go about making that happen? Who will hold what
role? Does everyone know what is happening and what is expected of them?




Control  - Where do
you as the leader need to be in order to control the task? Do you need to be
right in the middle? Or can you control from outside of the group?




Supporting - This isn't about turning into a happy clapper
and praising the team regularly, it's about offering encouragement, explaining
what is expected of the team and ensuring they live up to that. It's also about
ensuring the team have everything they need to complete the task, have they got
the right equipment and tools to be successful?




Informing - This isn't just a 1 way process. Informing work
all across the team, ensuring that everyone who needs to know knows what is
going on and at what stage they are at. This is about effective communication
and working together to achieve an outcome.




Evaluating - reacting to what is happening. Making
adjustments as necessary. 




This isn't a stable process, you move in and out the the
processes when needed. You might evaluate what's happening and need to create a
new plan. Things will constantly change, but this process offer a structure to
work to when leading.




Followership, my new favourite word, something we all need
to be made aware of. Followership - leadership at all levels. Everyone in the
team having an understanding of leadership. A team aren't dependant on how well
the leader can lead, but how well the team can lead each other. In many senses
followership is as important as leadership.




Following this talk by Matt was moved into our syndicate
groups and completed a series of tasks, 1 person taking on the role as leaders
accompanied by a vice-captain. I was chosen to lead the first task, the task
was to get the team through a mine field without touching a mine, all sounds
easy, but once you step onto the mine field, you become blinded. As it was the
first task, I found it difficult. Not knowing my team , their strengths or them
in general. We did't complete the task, the plan was changed numerous times and
we nearly got there at the very end. If nothing else, this made me realise how
important it is to get to know the people in your time, the need to think
quickly and make decisions on the spot.




As we moved around, other team members led on tasks. It was
really interesting to see how different students lead, they approach to tasks
and then behaviour whilst doing so. It's great to learn off your peers, picking
up hints and tips for what works and what doesn't work. The tasks were build
with the necessity to use key leadership skills and competency skills. The need
to followership, members to take ownership of parts of tasks, putting in jigsaw
pieces to then create a bigger picture. Tasks of moving across spaces, moving
barrels from spot to spot with different constraints.




Following the afternoon of tasks we returned to the barn for
more talks. Martin Hewitt started off speaking around teamwork. Martin is an
incredibly inspiring individual who was shot twice whilst serving in the
British Army, now with a paralysed arm, Martin is still doing some
extraordinary thins and is currently working towards The Adaptive Grand Slam,
Martin plus his team of disabled individuals are currently attempting to climb
the highest peaks in every continent. What better person to speak about
teamwork?




'We can achieve a lot more than what we often think we can.'
were Martin's words. wise. The main points around effective teamwork were to
firstly to have a common aim with clear goals and objectives. Without an aim,
you have nothing to work towards and you wont know what you've achieved. As it
was said earlier, include the whole team on creating aim and objectives. Have
team ownership. Ride out the storm, nothing will be plain sailing. It's the
tough times which bring the team closer together. As I constantly say, 'The
greater the struggle, the greater the victory' and that's certainly true. There
needs to be trust and openness, create an environment where people can say
things and be honest. Don't be afraid to speak up and voice your opinion. 




You need to have an understanding of your team to be
effective, having an understanding of each others' strengths and key skills,
this allows the leader to maximise team efficiency, to then mitigate risk to
maximise success.




Moving onto leadership, which was explained as a mixture of
example, persuasion and compassion. It's just about you and using the skills
you have to draw out the best from others. Leaders do what is right, they
understand the factors within the situation.




Then effective communication led by Ollie, whose real name
is Marcus, who is a negotiator within the police dealing with kidnappers and
intense situations. Speaking about the ladder to gaining the right to ask
certain questions and the skills set available to us when communicating. The
behavioural change staircase works from the Initial Contact - opening lines and
your first impressions, through to Empathy and Rapport -- relationship
building, creating a connection, emotional bonding, Trust - to have confidence
in you and to place reliance upon someone, then influence, persuasion and
problem solving. We've got with us an armoury of tools, see the MOREPIES acronym
below:

Minimal Encourager - small behaviours, nods of the head,
'and, so, go on.'

Open Questions, questions needing more than a 1 word answer.

Reflect & echo the last few words.

Emotional labelling - state the impressions, what are they
feeling.

Paraphrase - Use different words of the speaker to gain
clarity

Imessage - use the word 'I' and yourself.

Effective silences.

Summarising - what have you been told so far.




Dinner was then put on, my first hog roast experience was a
pleasant one. Then we were spoken to by Olympic Gold medallist, in rowing,
Heather Stanning. Having a military 
background Heather was able to keep in with the theme. Explaining her
experiences as an elite athlete but also time served in the military. The
importance of knowing your team, more than just the people surrounding you, but
those further back. She has been in many difficult positions and has had to
make serious decisions about her military and sporting career, and as a true
leader - making the right decisions. Leading people older and more experienced
than herself, and career decisions which go against wanting to perform in
championships because that was the right thing to do.




This was then followed by Joff Sharpe, a former SAS Captain
and now business man. Joff has a book called 'Who Dares Wins in Business.' Joff
had his own setbacks, taking a second attempt to gain a position within the
SAS, his book leads a 10 step approach to successful leadership. A key message
for me from Joff was to think outside the box, try something different.




A night of networking commenced followed.




5.40am, generators, fireworks, smoke bombs, explosions. That
was some alarm. We were all instructed to get out of our yurts and head to the
barn for a new bulletin. Hereford had been taken over and it was our job to
protect the land. 




The day was incredibly active, building on the first days
tasks. Leadership continued through paint-balling activities, negotiating tasks,
pulling a quad bike up a hill and talks with BUCS and Deloitte. Really putting
into practice what had been taught. Paintball tasks similar to those on the
front line in Afghanistan, working as a team to move forwards and attack
opposition. Saving a body and bringing them back without being shot. 




Negotiations tasks - trying to work with and save your team
mate. Negotiating with a kidnapper in a caravan. Trying to use the
communication skills we had learnt to full effect. Understanding that effective
communication doesn't mean everyone speaking but, working to support 1 person
working effectively.




Pulling a quad bike up a hill, learning to take in all of
the information you are given to then create a plan. We had to retrieve a
number of object to create a pulley system / winch which could them be used to
retrieve the quad bike. 




We then had a session speaking to Deloitte about future
plans and tips for interviews. BUCS the held a sessions around interviews and
answering competency based question using the acronym CAR-R. This method offers
a framework to construct questions on.




C- Context, a little bit of background, set the scene.

Action - what did you do, not the team, you.

R- Result what happened, numbers? Outcomes?

Relate - relate the example to the job/ role which you are
applying for.




The day concluded back with Matt Johns, Tom Lewthwaite and
Stuart Milne. 




I had the absolute pleasure of spending 2 days with 100
amazing students who really care about sport in their university. Although
we're all competitive, we all worked together and really bonded within our
groups. People who I hope to meet again and stay in contact with.




Although I learnt a lot off Fieri, my peers also proved to
be teachers.




For me, the academy has influenced me to continue pushing to
make a different within my role at university. An influence which has already
made results following a meeting yesterday with students who are now looking to
create a sports coaching society to support sports coaches and their
development, the local community and individuals as people. Leadership skills
from the academy put into action immediately, and already paying off. From the
quotes I've pulled out across this blog, I've taken away messages which I'll
hold onto. Conversations with individuals who really made an impact on me and
my learning. 




Huge thank you to the everyone who made the 2 days amazing.
Graduates from the academy. BUCS for putting the academy together. Deloitte for
the funding to make it all possible. Fieri for leading the 2 days, and for creating
a fantastic learning environment.




Final thank you, for the guys who looked after me and my
back :] 






'Think of it as what you can put into it, not what you can
get out of it.'

Football Futures Awards 2014

Wednesday 15th October 2014, not just my Mom's birthday, but also the 2014 Football Futures Awards. An afternoon built to reward and recognise the work of young leaders within the FA Football Futures Programme. I was on National Game Youth Council duties and was able to enjoy the occasion reflecting on another year of success.

Recognising and rewarding the work of young people is hugely important, and a key priority of the National Game Youth Council. The awards provide an opportunity to recognise those who are making a real difference within their communities, it allows the Football Futures Family to come together and celebrate successes. 

For me, just being at the ceremony was a real pleasure. Being around such a high calibre of young people was incredible, hearing about what they have achieved and the impact they are having. Sometimes you forget that the programme is built around young people who are volunteering. Kids who have and continue to work wonders. 

It's surprising, flicking through the programme reading about each winner, not for what they've done.. but for who nominated them. People who have progressed through the Football Futures Programme themselves and now sit in a paid role working with the next generation of young leaders. How amazing is that?! Who said it's just some volunteering programme?!

We all know, Football Futures isn't just about counting hours, about developing players in your team or running a major event.. but that personal journey which we get to travel on. It's becoming a cliché, but that 'journey' looks different to everyone, but everyone on the programme has one. The road of personal development should never be underestimated. And if anything, that's what makes each of us unique, a programme built for developing people. Not referees, coaches, co-ordinators.. that's just a bonus. 

It's a pleasure to be a part of so many people's journeys, even if it's just in a small way. At the awards, I spent time with people who have influenced me and who I've seen grow through the programme, and it really is amazing to see them rewarded on a national scale for all of their efforts. I still cannot word the emotions I went through yesterday, the pride in seeing my friends enjoying their day and being in the spotlight. A heart-warming day seeing proud parents and family, knowing that's how my family feel about me.. well I hope they do. And also a little sad, it felt like a goodbye to SGP for now with the NGYC. 

Just a couple of shout outs to a couple of people, both people who have helped me along my way. Lauren Asquith, Outstanding Contribution Award, my roomie in Rwanda and all round top friend. Already holding the record for youngest Football Development Officer, Lauren has developed into a mature individual juggling many roles within the disability football world, notability being a part of the CP World Cup planning team. I've had the pleasure of knowing Lauren for over 2 and a half years and it's safe to say that through the FF programme I've got a friend for life [sorry mate, had to throw a soppy line in there!] As she will tell us, it's not all about the awards.. but for this one, it is thoroughly deserved.

Lauren O'Sullivan - Outstanding Contribution Award, a role model and inspiration to many. I've loved every minute of being a part of the NGYC this season chaired by Lauren, being inspired every meeting by her infectious passion for the game and drive to develop the game for young people. As Lauren's time within the Football Futures Programme draws to a close, it was only right for her to be nationally recognised at the awards, and I think the standing ovation Lauren received only just begins to cover the extended thank you for her contribution to the game, so far. As I put on twitter last night, I hope one day I grow up to be like Lauren. 

A notable appearance for Prathiv Kholia [Storma] who has also progressed through the FF programme and was a part of the guest panel at the awards. I think this alone shows the promise of the programme if you 'take it by the horns' and really push yourself to be the best version of you. Storma, not only a leading light of the programme but now a mentor if you like to  myself. Storm has helped me out with my Changing Lives and National Game Youth Council applications - which were both successful and is constantly at the end of emails when I need help. 

3 individuals who I have the pleasure of calling friends are nationwide inspirations who have rightfully been recognised and rewarded in one way or another for all of their hard work. 

We must also take a moment to think about the thousands of others who have and continue to work exceptionally hard in their communities, and who are undoubtedly making a difference. If you think they aren't take a second to imagine a game without the help of young people... 

An extended congratulations to all of the award winners, please don't see this as a full stop, it is a moment of recognition and a boost for you to keep on going on your own remarkable journey. 

The awards have yet again turned me into the emotional person I'm capable of being. I'm incredibly thankful for the opportunities I've had to develop myself, and more importantly the opportunities I have had to be a positive influence in the life of others. To share the day within the National Game Youth Council was fantastic, a team of people who share a passion for developing the game. I hope that one day I can invite my family to the awards, but if not, I know I have been rewarded and continue to be rewarded with opportunities to be better everyday.

'Success is measured through how many lives you touch and how many people you transform. Success is measured, not by the extent of your power, but the number of people you empower.'

You don't need a cape to be a hero, you just need to care. 

Here's one for the heroes..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgF1Enrgo2g

BUCS Football Development Committee

I'm now a couple of weeks into 3rd year, all assignment deadlines are logged on my wall chart, I'm back into coaching and continuing with all of my youth council work - since my last post Lancashire FA have set up their own youth council and I have been voted to co-chair it - a very proud moment. 

I've also had a new opportunity come up which I have acted upon and been successful in applying for. The BUCS Football Development Committee has recently been set up to help BUCS to deliver on their strategy and 6 point offer. I was successful in applying and I am the youngest member of the group, still a university student I have got the student eye. Within my role as an activator I have the opportunity to connect with 72 other activators and network to ensure that what is being run is appropriate, to check and challenge the opinions of other activators and really drive the thoughts from ground level. 

It's very much a proud moment for me to be a part of the group. Like I said, we had our first meeting yesterday, down in London at the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Headquarters, literally hidden out of the way of the public eye. After looking down the list of attendees it would be an understatement to say I was both nervous and apprehensive. Sitting with people who have more experimented than myself, looking to work on a national level surely it was only natural to be a little bit nervous.

When being asked why I applied, it would be and was easy to say it's a CV Enhancer.. But really it's an opportunity for me to make that step to another level, testing my skills and knowledge and also to work with people which will helpfully help to prepare me for the real world once I've left uni. Linking to the BUCS Student Mangement Team and National Game Youth Council this is a huge step in the right direction, which will also help to link everything together. 

Yesterday we looked directly at Futsal, the pathway currently in place and the steps which will be taken to improve the programme. What needs to be done to collect the right research. If we don't know who is involved in university Futsal programmes and the rationale behind them, how can the programme be modified and improved? It'd be like stabbing in the dark, some people play for fun, others for the competition. So before any changes are made, we need to have research and evidence to ensure that they are the right changes. Another question might be why is there a lateral pathway in the first place? Why can't players dip in and out of recreational and elite Futsal? What if they want to play with their friends as well as in the BUCS team?

With plenty of key actions and recommendations, the meeting was a success. This as long as we follow up on the actions and become a doing group, not just meeting for the sake of meeting.

I'm looking forwards to the next meeting and seeing the impact we will have on the BUCS football pathway. Again it's great to be part of it all. After speaking to a tutor last week, they questioned whether I'm used to going to these meetings and working with older and more experienced candidates.. Which I kind of am, but always nervous of my own capabilities. I can honestly say, I walked out of that meeting high in the knowledge that I had left everything at the table, all questions were asked and all points put across. Not a bad feeling after walking in worried I wouldn't fit in. 

County Trials

I never really set out with a plan, you know like.. Yeah I'm going to start coaching to make myself look great, get all these badges to wear like a Girl Guides member, make people better people, win loads of awards to then help me get a job. I've not done anything hoping for a personal gain or outcome. I've done things which I enjoy, make me happy and in turn make other people happy. 

Last night was difficult for a number of reasons. I was helping at the Lancashire Schools U16s Trials, they are always fun and I've come to know most of the girls who trial and have played in previous sides. It's difficult to make decisions around players who I've come to know as people and who trust me a person not just a coach. But I've had to get on with things and do what's best for the county team. 

It's also difficult know I might not see half the kids again due to my new challenge coaching my own U14s team. Although I don't make match day decisions, or do anything important - I'm just the cone picker, ball collecter, chief comedian - I've come to love being in that environment, helping people to enjoy their football and seeing them develop along the way. It's quite depressing that my part in their journey is coming to an end. 

It was a pleasure to see a couple of girls who's I've not seen all season, turn up and show how much they've improved and it's pleasing to be able to tell them what I've noticed.. Seeing their response is also quite nice. 

But last night also touched me quite a bit. A final conversation before leaving has made me feel a little bit emotional. Speaking to a player who I met 2 years ago, explaining that I might not see them again this season was pretty difficult. I've come to realise the role I've played in these players' lives, it's quite overwhelming. Getting a heart felt thank you for inspiring a player, the feeling I got is difficult to word. Having them talk about my blogs/ this blog and to know they've seen and admired the work I put in on voluntary basis to see the personal gains other people get rather than my own was very special. I might not be their favourite coach, but I've been told I'm up there. 

Sometimes, moments like this make it all worthwhile. To know I've been a part of someone else's journey is an incredible feeling, something I'm proud of. Nobody can ever put a price on that, or even begin to word it. 

Erin's Marathon Match

It's not very often I'm lost for words, but this is one of those occasions. Yesterday I took the 5 1/2 hour journey from Lancashire to Durham to support Erin's Marathon Match. An event to celebrate the life of Erin Bates whilst also raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust and The Great North Children's Hospital - Children's Cancer Fund. 

I went to support the event, help if necessary and watch Football Futures Young Leaders of Durham deliver their latest project/ event. I was there amongst hundreds of others who had come together to celebrate Erin's life and help to fund-raise. There were numerous football matches, festivals going on for all age groups, bouncy castles, zorb football, face painting, hula hooping, raffles, auctions - something for all of the family. 

Yesterday's event was incredibly overwhelming to be a part of. To see football used to bring an entire community together, was fantastic and something which I doubt I'll see replicated.. well until next year! Sure there was a common interest in football for most, but that whole event was inspired by 1 person. 1 person who has inspired and influenced so many over the last year - to create the event last year, and continue that this year in her memory. Continuing the unbelievable fundraising which Erin started last year to help her legacy stay strong and continue for the foreseeable future. 

Yesterday over £7,450 was raised for the 2 organisations. I still don't know whether that figure is overwhelming, or just remembering the support showed on the day. 

The word legacy is thrown around quite a lot, maybe too much at times. But through the event yesterday and influence Erin had on so many in such a short period of time, it shows that anyone can make a difference. 

I'm incredibly proud to have been at the event, and to be able to witness what can happen through the power of young people. Sometimes, we're overlooked, but given the opportunity anything can happen!

A huge congratulations to the Football Futures Young Leaders of Durham FA for creating such a wonderful event in just a few short weeks. If it wasn't for them and the volunteers who gave up their time to keep stalls going, the event wouldn't have been such a success.

29th August 2015 is already saved in my Diary, I look forwards to supporting the Marathon Event next year and seeing how the event will develop to be bigger and better!

'Inspiration is contagious, you just have to be around the right people to catch it.'

End of Season Review 2013/14

So I decided to do something different for my end of season review. If you can stand my accent please have a watch!

Your Kite

I recently watched a video by Kid President (link at the bottom) this video ended up being shown during the closing ceremony of The FA's National Football Futures Camp 2014. Out of a 4+ minute video, there were 2 sentences which stood out and completely relate to our journeys within the football futures programme...

'Some days your kite will fly high, some days it gets stuck in the tree, it's just how it is here.'

From my point of view, if you buy a kite you might as well use it. Just as having ideas and thoughts, you might as well try them. Some days ideas work, they just click and it feels amazing! You have to relish those moments of success, because that's what we live for - seeing things fall into place. Enjoying the ride, seeing how high you can fly your kite.. surely that's the aim? Having an idea, seeing it work and then pushing it to see how far you can take it?!

Sometimes you hit a few bumps, have a few obstacles in your way. You do get stuck in the tree. It's your decision to leave your kite in the tree, or find a way to make it fly - whether that's climbing the tree, pulling it out or throwing something at it. As with anything, the destination might stay the same, but there is always more than one way to get there. You might just need to look at it from a different perspective, ask for help get another point of view. Just because you see something your way, that doesn't mean it's the right way. 

Occasionally your kite won't fly at all. You take it out of the box, piece it together but there's something not quite right. It might just be the weather. Whatever the weather, sometimes you've got to make your own sunshine. Believe in your ideas, take that crazy jump across the border of your comfort zone. The way to make your kite fly might come down to perseverance, keep going! It will happen! 

Don't ever let the lack of flying come down to a lack of trying! If you've got an idea try it! You might need help to get off the ground, that's ok! Teamwork helps to make the dream work! Your kite will never fly if you never try. It's great to have loads of ideas, what's not great is keeping them and not putting them into use. 

Piecing all of this together I've got an adapted version of the Kid President quote:

Some days your kite will fly high, some days it gets stuck in the tree, some days it doesn't fly at all. Don't let the lack of flying come down to a lack of trying.

Another favourite quote of mine from Rudy Ruettiger holds the line of, 'The journey will be full of struggle..' Every journey holds challenges, which I think helps to make the success more enjoyable '.. I learnt the greater the struggle the greater the victory.'

Ever noticed that a kite flies better when you throw it into the wind? Throwing it in the right direction helps, of course. The more resistance the more the challenge to keep it under control! But that's all  part of the fun! Turning this ways, and that, running around a field letting your ideas carve the way.. how fantastic! Although it's nice to stand in the sun, all you'll get is a suntan. Go out in the wind, let your ideas free and enjoy the ride. 

Only reign yourself in when things might get out of hand. Control the controllables, turn in a different direction, fly higher maybe take the path less travelled. 

Let the only time you pull down your kite be home time, remember, there's always tomorrow!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5-EwrhsMzY 

#FFCamp14

2 years after attending The National Football Futures Camp as a young leader I returned, this time as part of the National Game Youth Council running the event. I had apprehensions that the experience might not be as good as 2 years ago, or that I might let team down.. I was nervous.. But nerves are good, they mean you care right?! 

The FA National Football Futures Camp allows 100 young leaders the opportunity to attend a 4 day camp, nominated by their counties young leaders are sent following their commitment to the FF programme, personal development and will to progress football in their communities. The Camp is built up on 2 days of 5 generic workshops then 2 days of specialist workshops - coaching, refereeing or football development. 

I want to avoid repeating my 'Leader Life, Leader Legacy ' post from 2 years ago, but with an older brain, experienced body and brighter eyes this will be a set of new thoughts from a sensational experience, which has been 5 of the best days of my life - no exaggeration this time. 

The Sunday prior to Camp, The National Game Youth Council (NGYC), National Staff and Young Leader Mentors (YLMs) all met up for a day of training, to get to know each other and iron out any problems before camp started. I think this prep day allowed all involved to start to connect, start to develop the team for the week. Meeting new people is great, working with people who I haven't met before, gaining new ideas and I'd like to think new friends. 

Monday 21st July 2014, 85 young leaders descended upon St. George's Park. Young leaders were greeted by the NGYC who couldn't wait to give them a name sticker, take their bags and get into ice breakers. YLMs took the lead on ice breakers and looking after YLs as the final preparations were made for the opening ceremony. My nerves had settled, now just full of excitement. 

For the first time in FF history the opening ceremony was opened with a Brazilian themed dance/ music routine, something really different! Michael Ryan then stepped up and delivered an opening speech which really captured the hearts of everyone in the room, 'a journey of a thousand miles begins with a first step.. this is your first step.' With a little help from Kid President [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-gQLqv9f4o ], Lauren O'Sullivan and Luke Baker, The FA National Football Futures Camp 2014 had well and truly begun. 

Over Monday and Tuesday our Young Leaders were in 5 generic workshops of coaching, informal football, promoting the game, refereeing and disability football. I was with the amazing group 3 starting off with refereeing being led by Steve Bratt, Anthony Taylor and Mary Harmer - shout out for Mary who was a young leader at camp last year, proving the wonders of Football Futures by returning and tutoring this year!

We started off with a boys table, girls table and staff table.. ooh how things would change. I jumped into the mix with young leaders, brimming with enthusiasm trying to draw people out of their shells. 

Within the workshop, young leaders looked at the qualities of a referee, and attempted to draw them.. some odd shaped referees out there! We then went through yellow and red card decisions, offsides and a little bit of confrontation. Before heading outside and putting this into practice. Having the modern use of technology offside decisions were videoed and then reviewed. Borderline penalty decisions were looked at, before a bit of confrontation. 

A game which I hadn't seen before but looked pretty good. 1 referee in the middle, everyone around them in a circle. The guys on the outside were to walk into the referee, and 1 person touch the ref, it was then the referee's decision to decide who touched them. With so many people around, and being unable to move it showcased just how difficult it is to make decisions. 

Our second workshop was disability football delivered by James Watkins, Lauren Asquith, Dave Tweed and Mickey Chambers. A different spin on your typical disability session, looking directly at amputee football. Dave and Mickey are both international players for the Great British Amputee football team. 

If anything the session made me feel a little inadequate, seeing Dave and Mickey playing was incredible. Even with the loss of a limb they can still play their sports to an amazingly high level. It's made me think, what can I do more? How can I progress further?
I had a lot of fun playing amputee football, scoring a volley being the highlight, falling over twice summing up my ability, or lack of. Key messages from James, how can we help to raise the profile of amputee football, can we become scouts and create pathways for people to get involved? The future of the game is only bright if we allow it to be. 

Just before tea, we had reflection time - my favourite part of camp when I attended 2 years ago and I don't think that things have changed. Linking up with Rhea West fro Hampshire FA, we seemed to have our work cut out with minimal speaking, people in their shells and not sure of what to say. But it was a start, goals set and tasks for the following day gave us something to work off.

A fantastic first 2 workshops which had Camp buzzing, friendships were already being formed, banter was flying around and the table tennis table was the place to be. I didn't get chance to eat Monday night because I was preparing for the evening activities.

Myself and Jord Guttridge ran The Road to Rio, and fun and interactive evening which has a huge underlying objective of getting Young Leaders to interact, work together and get to know each other. 

I'm a firm believer of, if you want people to move out of their comfort zones then you have to be prepared to do so yourself. To begin the evening I sang [badly] in-front of the entire camp, something which I wouldn't dream of ever doing, dressed as a tourist just hours after meeting everyone I was on the front line. Luckily I got the right outcome, a number of laughs and I think that helped to relax everyone; to have a result of, 'If Sarah can sing in front of everyone, then I can do something similar.' 

The evening was split into 2, the first task was for each group to create a welcoming routine for their country, which would last 30 seconds, everyone to be included and represent that country. We had some very different ideas, but it was great to see everyone involved.

Task 2, create a new national sport! The game must be brand new, inclusive for at least 8 players and fun. We had the invention of Neymar Kneelers, Ivory Post and a Wheel barrow assault course. All of which took place indoors, minimal kit used but ended up being a lot of fun.

Personally, it was class to have put the evening together and then get the response we did.I loved every minute, watching young leaders work together, mix with others and really fulfilling what Football Futures is all about.

•     

Day 2

Waking up at 6.30am to make sure I was first to breakfast, as I'm not a morning person, this was a task in itself, but getting to sit with our young leaders made it worthwhile. 

The sun was out as we went to our first workshop of the day, informal football led by Matt Jones and John Prince. Looking at what initiatives there currently are for young people in football, Mash Ups, Team 16, Team 19, Team 23 and Mars Just Play - already we have a number of informal football offers which young people can tap into. 

The session was mainly based around the Football Mash Up programme, what games are played at the moment; empty the net, scenarios, 5 goals 5 ways.. but what games could our young leaders come up with? It turns out that the Mash Up was mashed up to create something new. Small sided games were created which were inclusive, fun and corresponded with the game itself. 

Staying outside we went into session 2 , 5-11 coaching led by Skills Coaches - Zoe Rushden and James Lofthouse. The aim of the session was to give an introduction to coaching, how could you tier a session that starts of basic and finishes off just like the game. It was interesting to see different coaches work, how did they embed individual challenges, how were the strugglers and strivers challenged? 

The task of the young leaders was to create their own sessions, how could they create a game which could be adapted for everyone to be able to be challenged, so that everyone could enjoy?

I didn't get to see the result of the games which were created, I was in a 1-1 meeting discussing my time on the NGYC so far amongst other agenda items.

The final generic workshop for group 3 was promoting the game, run by Adrian Eyre and Keith Daniel from TMG. Always an eye opening workshop, realising just how many roles there are behind a camera, how many people are needed just to create a small amount of footage. When trying to create a news piece, who do you need?

Task for the afternoon, create a 3 minute piece which is about Football Futures. A very open task, which could have gone in any direction but in fact the 2 groups came up with something similar. Even I was involved as a guest on a chat show!

In a short space of time clips were created, with sign holder, creators, weather men, presenters, guests, script writers, floor directors, time keepers and all sorts! For a last workshop was group 3, we had a lot of fun and I think it surprised a number of people as to how much fun promoting the game can be.

Rolling into reflection time, it was over to the young leaders who played a game of 2 truths and a lie, they wanted to get to know each other more and it worked really well. A very interactive activity which got everyone talking. Followed by an interview task we looked at how we got into Football Futures and some of the things we've done. Compared to day 1 with no-one talking, this session was unbelievable. Everyone interacting talking like they had known each other for ages! Proud moment right there!

Evening activities  - The launch of The Football Futures Alumni! A brand new programme for previous young leaders to get involved, re-connect, give back and continue their Football Futures Journey. We had our 5 founding members around for the evening delivering the workshops: Matt Dandy, Lauren O' Sullivan, Laura Danskin, Prathiv Kholia and Ted Grizzell. The evenign was led by Lauren Asquith and Matt Dandy.

Broken into 2 workshops we had, employability skills and promoting the Alumni. The employability skills looked at what behaviours do employers look for? What is important, how can we promote ourselves and write applications effectively? 

In the other workshop we had a look at the benefits of the Alumni Programme, why should it be created? The task was to create a 30 second video promoting the programme and it's benefits. 

Finishing with a Q & A with out founding members, the Alumni was launched, now to watch it grow. The key messages to come from our founding members were:

Ted Grizzell - Be different of be better.

Prathiv Kholia - Find yourself a mentor and reflect on your opportunities.

Laura Danskin - You're never to young to guide others.

•   

Day 3

Back up early for the breakfast club!

The start of the specialist workshops, we had coaching with Matt Craddock, Stephen Healy and Dan Greenhough and Refereeing with Marc Birkett and Roger Vaughan.

I was with the Football Development guys led by Karl Lines - CEO of British Colleges Sport and Brian Goodwin National Development Officer from English Colleges FA. 

The workshop started with the question, What if? 

Dare yourself to dream about what you could do to develop football in you community, county or even in the country. What is it that you could do? What is your dream? How are you going to get there?

First job for the day - write down your dream. Sky is the limit - where do you want to go? What do you want to do?

After looking at the launch of Team 19, the group were then told they would be delivering a festival to the whole camp Thursday afternoon, a daunting task? Not for our fearless young leaders who were pumped on adrenalin after sharing their favourite moments. 

We first had to decide our vision and values, something thought to be easy.. but it wasn't. After a staff intervention to try and decide the values, we didn't get any further. The young leaders got up and moved away from us to decide what they were going to have as their values and vision. 30 minutes later, they had made their decisions. 

Vision: Enjoyed by everyone, Remembered by All, Inspired by You. 

Values: Inspiration, Fun, Trust, Respect, Inclusive. 

With the values and vision sorted, the group could move onto thinking about what they festival could and should look like. What will happen? What off pitch activities will there be? What roles will people have?

Refining things down even further, what do we actually need, what will be used as our base to build off?

Final reflection session of the week, a quick run through of the week, thoughts on the day and what we have learnt during the week. An emotional time after working with the guys, seeing how much they've developed and knowing that Camp was drawing to a close.

Evening activities - the summer ball run by Kieren Laverick, Harry Organ and Lindsey Whitton. Everyone got their smart clothes on for our fund raising raffle, quiz and disco. A massive thank you to everyone who donated to the Teenage Cancer Trust, over £922 was raised on the night, which is huge. Spain won the quiz, before we all tried to throw some shapes on the dance floor. A fantastic evening, 85 young leaders who hadn't met each other on Monday were partying hard by Thursday. A personal highlight, leading the dance routine to my favourite disco song - Reach by S Club 7.. it's fair to say I smashed it!

A top evening of selfies, bad dancing and emotions. Twitter erupted after we finished, the tweets were fantastic to read.

•  

Day 4

Again I was up early, staying true to form. Already I was filling up with emotion, last day blues. 

I started off in the development workshop, their first job for the day was to create their roles for their festival.. another team circle with no adults! The group were split into task groups which also had a senior management team who were to over see the event. 

With the planning from the day before, the team headed down to the futsal hall to start setting up for the event, goals were moved, signs were made, prizes were out, banners constructed - everything seemed to fall into place. It was amazing to watch the guys setting things up, taking control of their own event.. really showing the power of young people.

A quick lunch followed by final preparations, the festival was ready to go. There was a cross bar challenge corner, mash up pitch, 2 competition pitches, selfie competition and comments walls. Everything was going on, young leaders signed in and the afternoon got cracking. 

Being able to sit back and just enjoy the festival was incredible, just thinking through the week, thinking of individual personal journeys.. I must have looked like the Cheshire Cat with a stupid smile across my face, but it really was a pleasure to watch and be a part of.

Only 1 thing left, the closing ceremony. Delivered by Lauren Asquith and Dan Leggett, we heard from Steve Swallow and Adam Herczeg - key messages of what next? Don't be scared to take that first step even if you cant see the whole stair case. Some things will go really well other things wont, it's now up to you guys as young leaders to take ownership of your journey and what happens in your communities.

I ended up in tears, but I was told that shows how much you care. An emotional week, overwhelming to have been a part of it all and have to power to influence others.

'You don't have to be pushed to grow. A plant grows through the right elements, not by being pulled out of the ground.' Sarah Nickless, FFCamp 2014