For this week, we have a profile on Phil Freeman, a local coach who recently completed the Future Coaches Programme!
Phil grew up in Norwich, England, and has always had a close connection with the game.
“I started playing in first school, where I have very fond memories of being lucky enough that academy players from Norwich City FC would come to the school and coach our class, that was such a great opportunity. It had a lasting effect and to this day I remember how those players instilled so much joy and passion into us.”
This led to Phil playing at grassroots level with various community clubs as a youngster. It didn’t stop there, as being a passionate Norwich City fan, Phil spent many Saturday afternoons watching the Canaries.
“I can still remember the first game I watched at Carrow Road, my Dad took me when I was about nine years old and Norwich played Aston Villa in the old First Division. For football fans, the country would just stop at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon.”
Playing through to his teenage years, Phil ultimately transitioned into a park player, along with watching football.
“I wasn’t the most competitive of players and ended up finding more joy playing down the park with my mates, where I improved the most by just messing around and exploring in my own way with a football, those are my fondest playing memories. I didn’t grow enough match confidence but looking back I would have liked to extend my match career as I loved playing.”
Phil ultimately ended up with season tickets and followed the Canaries all over England until he left the country to travel. He would end up in Australia, where he met his wife.
His coaching career started in 2022 as a “dad coach” for his daughter’s team during summer football. When his daughter decided to change teams for winter competition, Phil threw his hand up to become the coach.
“When my daughter changed teams, she joined a new team and they needed a coach, it just so happened that my situation had changed enough that I could take the role on, I couldn’t help but volunteer.”
Phil knew the value of providing quality coaching, as well as the positive impacts a lifelong relationship with the game can bring, even outside the sport.
“Football can give you so much more than the sport itself, from personal leadership and team ethics, through to friendship. I’m part of a messaging group half the world away that still interacts.”
These elements have given Phil an understanding of how youngsters can interact with the game.
“Getting all players involved and having fun is so important, this also means facilitating them with the opportunity to develop their football skills, and it’s fantastic watching a team improve, grow in confidence and using their growing skills on matchday and throughout the season.”
It doesn’t stop there though, as wanting to give the best experience to the players, Phil looked at MWFA’s coaching courses.
“I thought my previous experiences would be enough to be an effective coach but I wanted to give the team more, to give them the best opportunities possible, so I attended as many of the MWFA coaching workshops as I could, and the Foundations of Football course. I was really thankful and also a touch relieved to find the quality of resources and support at our disposal from the coach development team at MWFA. As a result, my coaching skills have definitely been elevated.”
To further enhance his coaching level, Phil recently completed a C-Diploma and also attended the Future Coaches Programme at the end of 2024, further extending his learning.
“It was a fantastic opportunity to meet like-minded coaches, learn about wide ranging topics from sports psychology, philosophy of learning and communication, to tactical analysis and how this applies to grassroots football. My experiences in the programme have certainly made me positively rethink many of my previous methods.”
Going forward, Phil aims to inspire and build confidence in the next generation of players, as well as help other coaches with their development, and possibly even coach at higher levels.
We look forward to seeing Phil’s coaching journey as he continues to give his passion and enthusiasm to the game, help develop women’s football, and give the players at his club a great footballing experience.
