Coaching students take youth team to European competition in Denmark

Some of our coaching students recently took a trip to Denmark with young aspiring footballers to take part in the Dana Cup, a youth football tournament for children from countries across Europe.

Theo Fearon and Liam Slade, two BA (Hons) Football Coaching and Talent Development students, are also coaches at Hendon FC Academy.

The team, along with the coaches, travelled into Hjørring in Denmark, and then had three days of non-stop football, playing six matches and taking part in various Dana Cup events, allowing time for just one training session during their time there.

The team finished seventh overall in the tournament, and as the competition’s top scorers in their age academy, receiving plaudits from many of the opposition teams from many other countries.

Liam said about the trip: “It was brilliant experience for our young players, but also for us as coaches.

“The opportunity to play against teams from different parts of the world has definitely opened our eyes to different sporting cultures and talent development environments.

“The experience has taught us quite a few lessons and we will look to implement these back into our own environment.

“The team certainly left their mark on the competition and it’s something we would definitely look to do again in the future.”

Liam added that taking opportunities alongside his studies at UCFB had been ‘the most important factor’ in his development as a coach.

He said: “These experiences have provided me with vital industry experience relevant to my course at UCFB. Although this has often left me stretched for time throughout university, that is the reality of a career in football.

“So far, I have loved my time at UCFB. I feel as if I have developed massively as a coach in the past two years, which is testament to the brilliant lecturers and modules at the university.”

He finished: “Take every opportunity that comes your way, whether that be scholarships, job roles, or even international tournaments. These will be the opportunities for you to apply your studies into the industry and allow you to develop in your chosen pathway.”