Providing a pathway into coaching for our scholars

The Club is giving our first year Under-18 players the chance to study for a FA Level 2 coaching qualification as part of our work to ensure all scholars have the necessary skills and education to enable them to achieve success on and off the pitch.

On Thursday, six players had the chance to put their classroom skills into practice for the first time as they ran a coaching session at our Training Centre for over 20 children from Chaseside Primary School and Oakthorpe Primary School from Enfield.

Enock Asante, J’Neil Bennett, Chay Cooper, Rafferty Pedder, Harvey White and Malachi Walcott organised passing, dribbling and shooting drills as well as mini games for the nine- and 10-year-olds.

Over the next few months, the scholars will run similar sessions to local Enfield primary school children in order to reach the standard required to pass their Level 2 coaching badge.

John McDermott, Head of Academy Coaching and Player Development, said: “We have insisted on our scholars doing their coaching badges for a number of years. The support we get from the PFA and our own John Allpress in delivering the awards is fantastic. The lads are working towards a qualification in coaching but, for me, the benefits go far beyond becoming a qualified coach. For our 16- and 17-year-old young men to have to project themselves and teach Primary, Secondary and Sixth Form groups is very daunting. It exposes them to assertively communicate with their voice and body language as well as show leadership traits which are essential in becoming first team players. Added to this is ensuring our visiting schools have a memorable experience at our world-class training facilities.”

Under-18s winger J’Neil Bennett said: “Thursday’s session has given me a taste of what being a coach is like. I remember being that age and all I wanted to do was have fun, so we tried to keep the session as enjoyable as possible while teaching the children how to pass, control the ball and score goals. It was challenging at first, but as soon as we got going, it was really enjoyable and I’m looking forward to coaching another group soon.”

Gary Simmonds, PE teacher from Oakthorpe Primary School, said: “It’s a real privilege for our students to come to Tottenham Hotspur’s Training Centre and see where their footballing heroes train every day. As teachers, we try to provide the best football coaching we can, however, to have the opportunity to be taught by the Club’s Academy players in such a professional environment is a brilliant opportunity and means a lot to the students and staff.”