The NSFA Coach Development team is conducting NSFA Super League and Diamond League matchday mentoring throughout the season. This initiative is designed to support NSFA coaches on the ground in their club setting by receiving bespoke mentoring from NSFA Coach Developers. Read on to learn more about NSFA Coach Developer Luke Harris!
Who’s your favourite football team and player – and why?
Tottenham Hotspur and Harry Kane. I follow Tottenham because “To dare is to do!”. Harry Kane is a special player who I love watching play, especially when he plays a sublime killer pass!
Why are you involved in the delivery of coach development within NSFA?
Ed Ferguson once said to me, and I believe he had the same said to him, is that as a youth coach, you might have an impact on the 10-12 players in your team. As a coach developer if you impact 10-12 coaches, you’ll also then be indirectly impacting the 10-12 players in each of those coaches teams.
So, for me, it is not only the next step in my coaching journey, but I also want to share my knowledge and experience with the next generation of Lindfield FC coaches, and any coaches in the NSFA.
Tell us some of your key highlights as a coach or coach developer?
Getting the opportunity to begin presenting the new block format of coaching courses. It has been great to have the opportunity to work with Jake Stephenson and other coach developers like Lorin Lambert and Brendan Dalton. To not only share my knowledge but also access the wealth of knowledge these other coach developers are able to share has not only been a highlight, but an enormous privilege.
What have you learnt when delivering courses, workshops or mentored others within the NSFA community?
I’ve already picked up some ideas from 14- and 15-year-olds starting their coaching journey, ways to start a game I’ve never seen before!
How have the changes to the coach development courses this year within NSFA benefitted the coaching community and you as a presenter?
I think it has provided more opportunities in terms of access to the courses, and the likelihood of coaches taking the time to attend the courses because of the blocked approach. In the past, I haven’t attended courses because I may only be available for one date and not the second. Having the flexibility of the blocked approach, by picking up different blocks at times that suit the individual, will mean more coaches on courses, leading to better coaches and better football!
What are your goals for coaching and coach development this year?
Firstly, to present as many courses as I can, juggling my role at Lindfield FC, being a teacher and a new Dad. Secondly, to help coaches improve the learning environment they provide for their players!
Finally, describe what being an NSFA Coach Developer means to you in one word?
Rewarding