Sport student experience

Growing up, I watched my dad, do football coaching, I watched him on the sideline and when I hit about 15 or 16 I had a light bulb moment when I then began to realise that that was what I was going to want to do as a career myself. I came to the open day at BCU, saw what the sports coaching course had to offer.

I knew that was going to be the course for me. I'm on my third year placement with BCU here at Solihull Moors Football Club and my role is currently working in the foundation with the under 9’s team. There's been lots of different elements that we've been teaching the kids this season that's really basic ones that don't just count for football, but that they can then use in other parts of their life.

That can be leadership, communication, creativity, all those different elements that can be really important.

"Liam has taught us to like, get into space and cross it in. He’s also taught us how to pass around the back and we don't always have to go forward with the ball so you can play around and you play out the back and then go forward."

"He’s kind and he does do a lot for us. He says to keep our head up and it doesn't matter about the score."

"He’s there when we’re down and he’s definitely there when we’re really happy. He didn't really care about the scoreline at all, as long as we played well."

As a football coach here, I'm not only developing the kids, but they're helping me develop as a person as well. Outside of my placement, I've had lots of other opportunities as well. Getting to be on BBC, working on the show. Hire Me was a fantastic experience. I think I'm ready for moving into an elite environment. I think this placement Solihull Moors have set me up for that.

I'm really glad I chose BCU as my University because they provided me loads of opportunities that helped me to continue to develop as a coach and they put me in a position where I'm coaching at a level three years ago I never thought I would be at.