HAYFIELD FC APPOINT JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT OFFICERS

When Hayfield FC were looking to appoint two Junior Development Officers they approached Cheadle & Marple Sixth Form College renowned for producing top division football coaches on its Football Excellence Programme.  David Alder and Nathan Conway, both outstanding students in their year, are creating a buzz in the High Peak village with their expertise coaching young people from Hayfield Primary School as part of the Club’s commitment to encourage young players.

David, 18, from Hadfield and Nathan, 17, from Hollingworth both impressed Football Excellence Coach, Paul Kirkham who had no hesitation in recommending them for the posts,

“David and Nathan, now in their second year at the College, both passed their NVQ Level 1 and FA Level 1 Coaching qualifications during their first year and were the most outstanding students.  They have already made excellent progress at Level 2 so when Hayfield FC approached us, I had no hesitation in recommending them for the positions available.  They have also been introduced to other private companies who run weekend coaching sessions and we are delighted that their coaching skills and level of expertise have been commended.  Coaching at Hayfield FC provides an opportunity for them to further develop their skills and is an excellent stepping stone for their sporting careers.  In fact, David has been offered a place at Loughborough University, the best sporting centre in the country so he literally has the world at his feet.”

David has played football since primary school and was attracted by the reputation of the Football Excellence Programme at Cheadle & Marple Sixth Form College,

“This is definitely the best course of its type in the area,” said David.  “The organisation is superb and the coaches are extremely professional – excellent role models for all of us.  I know that my strength lies in my coaching skills, I don’t think that I am good enough to play professionally but I can still enjoy the game and study for my academic subjects to develop a career path in sports journalism.  I have already been coaching at weekends and when this opportunity at Hayfield FC came along, I was delighted to be recommended.  Nathan and I attended a Hayfield F.C. Committee meeting at Hayfield where we were welcomed and encouraged to start immediately.”

Similarly Nathan has played football since primary school and joined Stockport County’s U16 squad but now plays for Stalybridge Celtic Reserves semi-pro team.  He added,

“The Football Excellence Programme is fantastic preparation for developing coaching skills and then putting them into practice.  The Coaching Awards are perceived as extremely prestigious and have prepared us well for the roles at Hayfield FC – it’s quite a responsibility coaching children but we have both enjoyed building up a rapport and a relationship with our young students.  They are so enthusiastic and genuinely look forward to the following week after our sessions.  We get such a buzz from the fact that the children are developing their skills from the methods we use.”

Eric Eaton, Vice Chairman, Hayfield FC, commended the efforts of their new Junior Development Officers,
 
“Hayfield Football Club is privileged to have these two young professionals contribute such expertise to the children and young people of our community. The willingness and enthusiasm of David and Nathan is apparent throughout their work. Hayfield Football Club has over 100 years of history and now wishes to evolve into a community base for sporting activities. David and Nathan are contributing a great deal to our aims and will be the next chapter in our history.”