I have always shown a passion in football, and this was not directly linked to just playing. Once I turned sixteen my first thought was to enrol on my Level 1 Certificate. Upon completion I enrolled on to the Level 2 Certificate. I have also completed the FA Mentoring course and am undergoing my UEFA B badge as well. Whilst completing my coaching badges I was also studying for my degree in Sport Science and Coaching at the University of the West of England (Hartpury) where I achieved a First.
Alongside my degree I helped initiate and implement a successful school club link programme that started off with six teams in Bradley Stoke and has now grown to include fourteen schools within South Gloucestershire for both Year 1 and 2 children and Year 3 and 4 girls. At the end of our four week programme we run a Football Festival as part of Bradley Stoke Festival and this has received support from many companies but also allowed appearances from influential figures from the sporting community such as Sir Geoff Hurst, Matt Le Tissier and Roger Burden.
This position will allow me to put my seven years of grass roots football to good use, the various positions I have held for both youth and adult teams include; managing, coaching, committee member and fund raiser.
In 2007 I was named Young Sports Volunteer of the Year for the County and in 2009 I was named both County and Regional Young Sports Volunteer of the Year. I believe that this position will allow me to meet my full potential and will allow me to develop myself further whilst becoming qualified in other areas of the game.
I am grateful for the opportunity the Gloucestershire FA has given me and hope I can play a vital role within the organisation in helping them to meet the requirements of the National Game Strategy.