3 years ago, I enjoyed 5 days at Hereford College for the Blind, surrounded by enthusiastic young leaders who wanted to be better, at what I'm not too sure. At the time we all thought better at our football related roles, now it's a much different thought.. In actual fact we were becoming better people. (For a full view on FFCamp12 check out the 'Leader Life Leader Legacy' post from a few years ago). What Camp taught me, and Football Futures continues to do so, is that the destination isn't always apparent, the journey is most important - that developing moving pathway we're all on- essential to that is our companions along the way. My 5 days at Camp were inspiring, my peers, camp councillors (now mentors) and the Youth Council who ran the week. I walked away wanting to become someone like the people I had the pleasure of being with that week. I'd like to think I'm on the right track, but after all, we're not human shaped robots following each other and creating copies.
Now moving towards my 3rd Camp, 2nd as a part of the FA National Game Youth Council, I'm as excited and apprehensive as I was 3 years ago, but now for many different reasons. I'm now the one doing the inspiring, well trying. I have an incredible amount of time for the people who inspired me those years ago, without them and in fairness the memories I wouldn't be who and where I am. It's my role to inspire others to go and be the best they can be, to help them and offer advice and guidance. That's huge. Last year, I learnt what it feels like to do just that. Words cannot even begin to cover it. To inspire and influence staff, mentors and young leaders. Young leaders who mentioned me in their blogs, tweet and update me on how their lives are going.. That's something really special.
This year, I sense a different kind of nerves. To steal a quote from Steve Swallow, this is our 'swan song' (who knew swans could sing?!) as the National team that we are. My future is starting to unfold and being 100% honest I don't know where my NGYC and Football Futures path leads to or looks like. Some would say that's exciting, for me that fragile. For something which has been a huge part in my recent life and journey to where I am, being uncertain isn't pleasant. It means too much, and I don't really want it to end. 'Letting go' as it's been described, but I guess my grip is too tight. I get the feeling this may be the end to a new beginning, one door closing and all that... I maybe wrong.
The tweets are starting to roll in as we edge closer. More proudly, I'm reading tweets from last year's Young Leaders. People who I spoke to and helped, just to get through a week, who are saying how camp made them feel and what they're up to.. It's fantastic to be apart of. I am really looking forwards to seeing and meeting this years' group of 99 young leaders, getting to know them and understand the current climate of young people in football. The environment of camp might be similar, but it's new people. And that the great thing about it.
As Football Futures is changing we need to keep up, remember it's about collecting experiences, not hours. For those attending next week, we need to fuel them with enthusiasm and give them the best experience they've had yet. Quite a challenge? I think so. An exciting challenge, most definitely. For me, Camp is a catalyst for thoughts of where / who we are and where we want to be.. The catalyst in realising that leap of faith is possible.
I expect an emotion packed week where I will pick up and learn just as much as the young leaders attending. I've not yet set an goals, bit of shock coming from me, the only real thought is not to cry during closing ceremony, again. 3rd time lucky I guess. We may have timetables and plans, but it will be an unpredictable week.
My only advice to all involved: make the experience count.
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