#FFA16
Hello there,
So as many of you know... I've had a bit of a crazy few weeks! While many of you are tucked up in bed, I thought I'd reflect on a hectic week in this blog. A 4 day journey which has shaped me in more ways then anticipated.
In July, I was lucky enough to receive a email from Hampshire FA informing me of my place at the Football Futures Leadership Academy. An Academy formerly known as the Football Futures Camp which for a variety reasons, I've been unable to attend for the past 3 years.
This year though, I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity. So on Monday 25th July myself and Ffion (HFARYC) made our way up to St George's as Hampshire FA representatives. Just the thought filled me with pride!
The arrival day was hectic day. There were a variety of groups checking into the St Georges Park facility including FC Barcelona, Sam Allardyce's England press conference, UEFA coaching courses and ourselves. As you can imagine we were buzzing.
After a few ice breakers, The FF Leadership Academy kicked off with a inspiring talk from Baroness Sue Campbell. Her talk on the women's football development was fascinating. Her imagery of the women's game growing in the men's shadow is honest but a harsh indicator of where she perceives the women's game to be. At a crossroads. That captivating talk managed to fill a room of curious leaders with lots of questions and determination.
So after a motivating start to proceedings, we moved into workshops. The first workshop was on Personal Leadership Philosophy's and understanding our leadership values that we had. It was soon clear that in order to understand your own PLP then you need to understand personal principles and values, existing philosophies, individual/personal characteristics. I won't share my personal values in this article but I was lucky to understand and receive talks from FA CEO Martin Glenn and England Manager Sam Alardyce about their values. Both of which also gave fascinating insights into being a successful leader. Can you think of better people to give a talk on leadership then those two? It's pretty amazing! Lots for everyone to take away from that workshop and think about. Finally, to finish off a frantic first day a workshop on being a successful mentor. Something again I found beneficial and interesting to listen in and be a part of. Mentoring still being something that hugely interests me. Hearing the expertise of Ciara and Mossy was hugely beneficial and insightful.
I should probably note, most of this blog is made up of thoughts I had at the end of each day in a comfy Hilton bed. Although, it was mental to think that Sam Alardyce, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Luis Enrique were also sleeping in same building. We knew that due to their training schedules and strong security that we were unlikely to so much as get a glimpse of the stars.
Anyhow, we kicked on with day two. I was fortunate enough at this point to have met quite a few leaders and shared valuable experiences. I had met my mentor (Luke) before but hadn't really engaged to much so wanted to make a better impression on day two. We did this through daily group reflection sessions which were incredibly beneficial.
One of the more intriguing factors about the trip was learning about the journeys of other people. Including the FANYC and FA staff who each have unique journey's doing equally incredible things to get where they are now. Those guys made the four days worthwhile. They asked questions and engaged us in different ways. This brings me on the next workshop that we got to be involved in which was foreforonted by Karl Lines around questioning. Specifically looking at beautiful questions. Questions to ask yourself and questions that make others think. What to you is a beautiful question?
These components are the vital frameworks in a successful management team. Learning how to outline and implement them is a huge lesson. One that I will be sure to utilise when my time to lead arrives. Other things to take away was when to be a decision maker in the group which is another lesson learnt. So, after a full on day o workshops and practical exercises there were a few tired faces. What better way to kick back and relax then a charity ball to celebrate the money raised for Breast Cancer Care. Congratulations to all the hard work The FA and FANYC have put in to raise money for this cause over the past year. A fantastic way to sign of 3/4 of the week.
The final day was one of refection and evaluation of what was learnt. Not before a fascinating workshop delivered by Birmingham FA which featured Kevin Shoemake and Michael Thurlow. A simple but crucial workshop in tackling communicating with county FA staff. It seems quite a small and simple thing but just acquiring snippets and tips can sometimes make all the difference. So another interesting lesson learnt in moving a team forward.
A overwhelming week up at St George's with lots of lessons being learnt and many memories taken away. To say I've been fortunate and privileged to have had a huge variety of experiences this summer. It's taken me a week to sit back and reflect on events, write this blog and think of my own leadership values. There is probably another 10,000 words I could write in this blog. Condensing the experience into one blog is a challenge. Finally, many thanks to all the FA staff, FANYC, Mentors, fellow leaders for making the experience worthwhile. A week well spent.
So as many of you know... I've had a bit of a crazy few weeks! While many of you are tucked up in bed, I thought I'd reflect on a hectic week in this blog. A 4 day journey which has shaped me in more ways then anticipated.
In July, I was lucky enough to receive a email from Hampshire FA informing me of my place at the Football Futures Leadership Academy. An Academy formerly known as the Football Futures Camp which for a variety reasons, I've been unable to attend for the past 3 years.
This year though, I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity. So on Monday 25th July myself and Ffion (HFARYC) made our way up to St George's as Hampshire FA representatives. Just the thought filled me with pride!
The arrival day was hectic day. There were a variety of groups checking into the St Georges Park facility including FC Barcelona, Sam Allardyce's England press conference, UEFA coaching courses and ourselves. As you can imagine we were buzzing.
After a few ice breakers, The FF Leadership Academy kicked off with a inspiring talk from Baroness Sue Campbell. Her talk on the women's football development was fascinating. Her imagery of the women's game growing in the men's shadow is honest but a harsh indicator of where she perceives the women's game to be. At a crossroads. That captivating talk managed to fill a room of curious leaders with lots of questions and determination.
So after a motivating start to proceedings, we moved into workshops. The first workshop was on Personal Leadership Philosophy's and understanding our leadership values that we had. It was soon clear that in order to understand your own PLP then you need to understand personal principles and values, existing philosophies, individual/personal characteristics. I won't share my personal values in this article but I was lucky to understand and receive talks from FA CEO Martin Glenn and England Manager Sam Alardyce about their values. Both of which also gave fascinating insights into being a successful leader. Can you think of better people to give a talk on leadership then those two? It's pretty amazing! Lots for everyone to take away from that workshop and think about. Finally, to finish off a frantic first day a workshop on being a successful mentor. Something again I found beneficial and interesting to listen in and be a part of. Mentoring still being something that hugely interests me. Hearing the expertise of Ciara and Mossy was hugely beneficial and insightful.
I should probably note, most of this blog is made up of thoughts I had at the end of each day in a comfy Hilton bed. Although, it was mental to think that Sam Alardyce, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Luis Enrique were also sleeping in same building. We knew that due to their training schedules and strong security that we were unlikely to so much as get a glimpse of the stars.
Anyhow, we kicked on with day two. I was fortunate enough at this point to have met quite a few leaders and shared valuable experiences. I had met my mentor (Luke) before but hadn't really engaged to much so wanted to make a better impression on day two. We did this through daily group reflection sessions which were incredibly beneficial.
"Self reflecting is a humbling process. It's essential to find out why we think, say and do certain things... then better yourself" - Sonya Teclai
One of the more intriguing factors about the trip was learning about the journeys of other people. Including the FANYC and FA staff who each have unique journey's doing equally incredible things to get where they are now. Those guys made the four days worthwhile. They asked questions and engaged us in different ways. This brings me on the next workshop that we got to be involved in which was foreforonted by Karl Lines around questioning. Specifically looking at beautiful questions. Questions to ask yourself and questions that make others think. What to you is a beautiful question?
"Why are we doing things the way we've been doing them all along? What if we tried a new approach? - That to me is a beautiful question" - Warren Burger
After this workshop, most of the leaders were left with frazzled brains and itchy brains. So, we were then lucky enough to be part of the Football Future Awards 2016. The formally dressed awards highlighted the fantastic work done by a variety of people. Should any of them be reading this then I offer my congratulations. However, I cannot go through this blog without expressing some kind words to Joel Richards. A touching gesture in this ceremony were the testaments to Joel Richards from a variety of personalities. It's clear how much of a kind, humble, talented and enthusiastic young man Joel was and had a positive impact on so many young people.
So, the third day was upon us. Fatigue was starting to ease it's way through many of the leaders on camp. On the Wednesday, we received a visit from Fiery. They were knowledgeable and kind enough to deliver workshops around leadership.
This was soon followed by a array of physical leadership challenges. We finally had a chance to show what we had learnt throughout the week practically. Albeit in adapted circumstances due to Barca lurking outside and wanting complete privacy. Workshops we were involved in include Task Management and followership. These workshops were especially beneficial with many tips and snippets of valuable information such as the key components to leading a team.
- Plan
- Brief
- Control
- Support
- Inform
- Evaluate
These components are the vital frameworks in a successful management team. Learning how to outline and implement them is a huge lesson. One that I will be sure to utilise when my time to lead arrives. Other things to take away was when to be a decision maker in the group which is another lesson learnt. So, after a full on day o workshops and practical exercises there were a few tired faces. What better way to kick back and relax then a charity ball to celebrate the money raised for Breast Cancer Care. Congratulations to all the hard work The FA and FANYC have put in to raise money for this cause over the past year. A fantastic way to sign of 3/4 of the week.
The final day was one of refection and evaluation of what was learnt. Not before a fascinating workshop delivered by Birmingham FA which featured Kevin Shoemake and Michael Thurlow. A simple but crucial workshop in tackling communicating with county FA staff. It seems quite a small and simple thing but just acquiring snippets and tips can sometimes make all the difference. So another interesting lesson learnt in moving a team forward.
A overwhelming week up at St George's with lots of lessons being learnt and many memories taken away. To say I've been fortunate and privileged to have had a huge variety of experiences this summer. It's taken me a week to sit back and reflect on events, write this blog and think of my own leadership values. There is probably another 10,000 words I could write in this blog. Condensing the experience into one blog is a challenge. Finally, many thanks to all the FA staff, FANYC, Mentors, fellow leaders for making the experience worthwhile. A week well spent.
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