Having considered myself semi-retired from playing football (being ‘over the hill’ at the grand old age of 31) I have absolutely loved coaching this winter season. It has been a few years since I have had any involvement with winter sport at Newington, and it may also have been partly down to the recent World Cup hysteria, but I have thoroughly enjoyed the ‘buzz’ of this past season from a coaching perspective, loving when Saturday comes every week.

I love football (I’m a self-confessed sports tragic) and it has been great to share some of that passion with our Newington coaches who have come over from the senior school this season to coach the boys. With them, they have brought a wealth of experience and that has been never more evident than in some of the drills and training games that they run on Wednesday and Friday afternoons, as well as their expertise on game days. Angel, Sharaf and Dani  have had extensive experience coaching in European academies, earning UEFA coaching licenses and coaching at well known Spanish clubs. Their love of the game is evident and it has been brilliant having them on board this season, along with Brian (who also coaches over at Wyvern) who’s coaching pedigree is equally as impressive.

Coaching the 12As has been a great experience from a personal perspective. As a team, we have had mixed success, and although we have had a high win ratio from our games, I think that the boys have learnt more from the games that they lost than the ones in which they won. They have consistently demonstrated the Newington sporting values, have played well as a team and have always had each others’ backs. To add to this, many of our teams have ‘borrowed’ players from each other this season, with boys frequently playing two and sometimes three games on a Saturday morning, often at a high level. The learning experience has been invaluable and has helped bring the boys closer together, through playing as part of a team.

I’m happy to have rediscovered my love of the beautiful game, I may even be tempted to lace up my boots again in the near future. This Saturday’s Back to Newington Day will be the last game of the winter season for some of the boys, and it’s great, going into that final weekend of the season, to be able to look back and reflect on such a positive season.

Sam Watson – Year 5 Teacher