Joseph Carpenter

Having been born in East London, there’s a sense of humour and banter that you can’t find anywhere else in the UK and is what makes East London unique. East London is a vibrant and multicultural place. Growing up surrounded by diversity has been a fantastic experience, and it's helped shape my perspective, especially in coaching. 

Growing up, my mum and mum’s side of the family instilled inside me a passion for football. I grew up hearing stories about how much I loved football even as a toddler. One of my most memorable football matches I watched was the last game at Upton Park before they moved to London Stadium. I still can remember vividly the incredible atmosphere and losing my voice from the match. It was a highly emotional match for all the fans. 

With this love for football, I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in sport. I dreamed of becoming a football player, but unfortunately, I was born with a heart condition. At only five days of being born, I had to have an open-heart surgery leaving a scar of my chest which I still carry today. However, I never let that affect me and I began playing sports in school. I always felt fit as a fiddle, but my coaches would always have me rest because of my pre-existing condition. From that point onwards, I began to accept that my dream of becoming a football player wouldn’t happen. How else could I get in the world of football? Coaching. 

At only the age of 18, I completed my FA qualification, and I was given a A-Team to coach. Being a coach at such a young age hasn’t come without its challenges. Being given the trust to manage a team is both exciting and nerve-wracking. I had an experienced coach guide me through the process, teach me the tricks of the trade, and then I was left on my own to take over. It’s always funny during match days seeing the faces of other coaches who think I’m too young and sometimes it feels as if they don’t treat me with the same level of respect. I never let that get to me as my team usually go win and last year my team came second in the league. 

Many might think that a degree isn’t necessary to get into coaching, and I also thought the same thing before applying for a degree in sport coaching and performance. However, it’s not just about coaching; it's about the credibility and the wider opportunities that a degree can offer. With a sports coaching degree, I can explore various avenues, like working in schools or even starting my own coaching business. 

A good coach, in my opinion, should be fun, engaging, knowledgeable, and approachable. It's crucial to create a learning environment that's enjoyable for the team. Through coaching, I've learned never to judge people by their appearances. People can surprise you in both good and unexpected ways. There’s this girl in my team, the only one now. I've been coaching her for about two years now. Before she joined, she was shy and reserved, but now she's one of the most spirited and best players on the team. She's set to play at the academy level soon, and I’m so proud of her. I like being more than just their coach; I want to be someone they trust and connect with on a personal level. 

Knowing your players is essential. Understanding what makes them tick, noticing when something's off, that's crucial. We had an instance where one of my nine-year-olds was behaving unusually, and it turned out something happened at school. Knowing that and being there to support them is important, no matter their age. 

My future goals in coaching revolve around working in a Premier League football club's academy. Eventually, I aspire to start my own coaching business, organising camps and sessions for schools and communities.