AN INTERVIEW WITH...
a grassroots coach
Please introduce yourself and tell us your involvement in grassroots football
I'm Kevin Biermann and i'm the manager of Wigan Athletic Ladies FC under 10s and also training coach for the under 9s.
Can you tell us about your grassroots experience as a coach
i have found my experience in grassroots rewarding but hard at times, giving up a lot of time for training sessions match days fund raising events tournaments. There is also all the other stuff like planning training sessions, confirming matches, organising the team, all the behind the scenes that parents and players never see. Seeing these tasks develop the kids into a better player is a great feeling. We do so much and as for nothing in return only a keen mind to learn.
If you were in charge of the FA what would be the first changes you would make in grassroots football?
Do you feel your county FA does enough in grassroots football
What funding do you think grassroots football needs?
What are you views on academies taking grassroots players
My first change to grassroots football would be more funding and lowering course prices, clubs have to pay for the field/pitch they use, new kits, and all equipment needed and referees plus many other things. to do this clubs need to find sponsors or have many fundraising events to raise the money its not like clubs managers and coaches have enough to do. Also i would get the professional players and coaches more involved visiting grassroots clubs possibly giving or helping on a training session or even giving help and advice to managers/coaches.
Our local FA does not do enough i can't name anything that my local FA has done except hold a tournament
There are numerous fundings that grassroots need from help with buying new kits and equipment, to help paying for rent of a pitch or field and funding with football courses
Academy's taking players is shocking but it is the next stage for the player in there football career. it is hard when you see a player grow and develop and then a big club comes calling. You know that you have developed that player into a good player if they're wanted by an academy team. i think if they take a player they should give the club some sort of transfer fee.
Kevin Biermann