Coach with us
You don't need to have played, and you don't need a child in the team. We arrange your checks and your training, and you're never left to do it alone.
Could you help?
The 2020 and 2021 team had to stop. Not because the children stopped wanting to play. Because there weren't enough coaches.
Children who wanted a team couldn't have one. Now a volunteer runs a Sunday session for them, which is a big step, but it isn't a team and they can't play matches yet.
It's the same story further up. In the 2018s, one more coach would let about five more children join.
Could you help? Even an hour a week changes what we can offer.
What we offer
- Your AccessNI check, arranged by the club.
- Irish FA safeguarding training, arranged by the club.
- An Irish FA coaching certificate, paid for by the club.
- Up to six weeks alongside any of our coaches before you run anything on your own.
- Every session planned for you if you want it, from the tool bag.
- An official club zip-up jacket and raincoat.
- One place to go with any question: the coach form below.
The time ask
An hour of training a week, and an hour on match day, which includes 15 minutes before and 10 minutes after. Games at this age are usually three 12-minute periods.
You don't need to have played
You don't need a child in the team either. If you've coached before and your own children have grown up, we'd love to hear from you. Grandparents too. Everyone who coaches with us is checked and trained, so nobody needs to feel out of place.
The best bit. An hour a week on the pitch with your own child or grandchild, part of their team. And if you don't have a child in the team, the same joy of watching children grow, week by week.
Smaller ways to help
Can't commit to coaching? These three jobs take the admin off the coaches so they can spend every minute on the children. Each one is short, on a rota, and never puts you in charge of the children.
Kit Keeper
15 minutes, one week in three. Ten minutes before training, set out the cones and goals from a card. At the end, count the balls and bibs back into the bag.
You're never in charge of the children.
Front Door
10 minutes, one week in three. The first five minutes: tick the register at the gate. The last five: see each child off to their grown-up.
A coach is always there with you.
Weekly Word
10 minutes a week, from home, a month at a time. Post the week's details and the availability poll to the squad group, and send the coach one message with who can't make it.
Never any contact with children.
Want to do one of these? Say so on the form below, or just tell your child's coach.
Coach interest
Tell us a little and we'll come back to you. There's no commitment in asking.
Sent
Thanks. Someone from the academy will be in touch soon.