3rd Year Reflections, UEFA B Licence and Employment!

After massive success in coaching last year, achieving league success whilst coaching in three new countries, this academic year was always going to be a challenge!

However, I have started academically well, on target for a 2:1 currently and with aspirations to step it up to a 1st, which is all very reliant upon my dissertation grade. 

Within coaching, I have encountered several challenges this year. After last years league success, I truly believed there was no reason why we could not progress on and continue to look for further league success this year in the higher tier. However, my optimism has been tempered and after a very tough first half of the season, we are very much within a relegation fight. 

So far this has been a very nerve racking experience, but an invaluable one. The main thing I have learnt is that every game is of massive importance and it has made my preparation for games even more meticulous. I feel as though I have learnt more via losing than I have through winning due to the more extensive reflective process which I undergo and feel after losing matches. The inevitable drive to win has left me frustrated but managing my emotions has been a key skill to maintain a calm persona with the players. If I get uptight and nervous, I feel as though these emotions may transfer to the players which will lead to an inability to perform to the required level. Evidently, this will be detrimental to the team which as coach is something I cannot allow to happen through my own actions.

Currently 2nd from bottom with 2 teams going down, the final 5 games of our season will be massively important. Our first game on the 3rd February vs Leicester away will be huge, and I feel if we can start our run in with a win, we will be looking in good shape. The players as always have been fantastic in their commitment and considering the demands I make of them, have provided me with many tough choices throughout the season. As the season continues, I believe our hard work will truly pay off and we will stay within the league.

Outside of direct coaching, I have had the pleasure of being President of Coventry University Men's Football Club, organising everything from the coaching staff at the club to the training structure. I have been privileged to work with our new first team manager, Kevin Wilkin, who has been fantastic, managing the first team whilst also helping the third team with his coaching and also running joint weekly sessions for first, second and third team players.

He has supported me with my plans, implementing more training time and commitment across the board. I am proud that we have improved our programme, with all 4 BUCS teams (1st to 4th team) training twice a week and having 2 Strength and Conditioning sessions a week. 

Our 5th and 6th development teams have also performed fantastically well within the Birmingham FA Inter University League (Competing against teams from Birmingham and Warwick Universities). 

The pathway developed for players to go from non participation to the 1st team has worked excellently, with weekly social turn up and play sessions run by the University's Football Activator and other University football players allowing players of all standard to participate at their level. From social football, we have recruited many players for the society, aswell as our trial day, and our catchment bowl is proving to be effective. 

Setting up this pathway has taken two years and is the product of many people's hard work, and the 5th and 6th team development last year has aided the extension of the club and how, in future, we aim not to miss any top university players on our yearly trial days.

On top of this, I have continued working with Coventry City (Sky Blues) in the community, supporting the InForm programme alongside working with the Under 16's development centre sides. This has lead to me working on more technical coaching of individuals rather than teams, which I feel will make me a more complete coach in the future.

With regards to my personal improvement, I am currently undergoing my UEFA B Licence in Stamford. This has been a massive learning curve for myself, with many more tactical situations and scenarios laid in front of me to understand and dissect further. The coaching style required is far removed from the demands of my weekly coaching, where I am coaching people of a similar age so I use a more directed, guided approach in comparison to the command style required of me within the B Licence course.

Recently, I had my mock assessment, which unfortunately coincided with a week where I had 2 presentations for my degree. It went ok, however the assessors felt my coaching style was still not directive enough and still was very question and answer and guided based. This is something I need to overcome to pass the assessment which is in June.

Hopefully, the B Licence opens further doors for me in the future. Whilst on the topic of the future...

What does it hold? I currently do not know, however, as always, I am interested to hear of any opportunities around the world that may be available to me within football coaching.

With the end of my university days looming in June, alongside my UEFA B Licence assessment, I am currently looking for any full time coaching roles. 

If you have one or know of one, please contact me via this or via my email address, [email protected]

Thanks for reading, it may be long winded but it feels good to get my thoughts down in words and create a piece of writing I can look back upon in the future!

Jack Brazil