As part of UK Coaching Week, we caught up with one of the Head Coaches on our Football and Education progamme. Jacob has been part of our Education setup in many capacites for the past nine years, and is currently studying towards his UEFA A license, the highest practical coaching course offered by the FA.

Jacob first got into coaching at 15 through supporting his younger brother’s team and quickly started his Level 1 course at 16. At 18, he joined our then Level 3 qualification, which led on to him being one our first Community Coaching and Development degree learners.

This pathway has enabled him to hone his skills from grassroots level through to the 11 v 11 game, working with players every single day on our Football and Education course.

Jacob said, “Seeing the same players each day and watching them develop isn’t something you get to do outside of the professional game very often. It’s a pleasure to watch them progress and achieve, and the dream would be to do this in the professional game in the future.

“Alongside coaching the team, I work with Burton Albion’s Academy, all made possible by the pathway through various levels of coaching and experience I have gained over the past decade.

“When I first joined Derby County Community Trust, my two mentors went on to work for the FA and within Derby County’s Academy. Meeting those coaches at such a young age opened my eyes to how much you can achieve as a coach.

“We get to see more and more of what coaches do everyday, with documentaries about Mourinho and Guardiola, it helps us to see how to give our players the best opportunities!

“I have been fortunate to meet some incredible players and coaches who I have learnt from, and though I know I still have a long way to go, being able to pick the brains of tutors to better myself is integral to me personally developing as a coach.

“Coaching was perfect for me because I love sport, love being around people, and the Community Trust provides that opportunity everyday. I get to focus on developing players and as a coach there is no better feeling than seeing progression.

“It’s not as simple as: do you like football? There are so many doors and opportunities, it’s so much more than playing football. Being able to be part of that is really special.”

Football and Education

Community Coaching and Development Degree