Speaking to Dominic Welch who is an aspiring football coach from South East London we discuss coaching and society as a BAME coach.
Dominic highlights his early years and when he started coaching. “I was born and raised in Peckham, South East London. I have been coaching since the age of 16 and started my coaching badges at the age of 18. I now run a Junior club for kids in my local area and am also involved in a senior team.”
Development
Responsibility is something Welch is strong about. Having stayed in his local area to make a mark on the youth of today, not just as footballers but what he views as the opportunity to give youngsters a distraction and focus. “I am also a local youth worker in the area so my passion is in developing not only the players I work with but providing a safe environment for the youngsters I work with and other in the local area. “
Percentage
The number of BAME coaches in the professional game is something that has been highlighted most recently with the appointment of Sol Campbell at Macclesfield Town, it is safe to say that BAME coaches are not the norm in football. I put this to Dominic, as a BAME coach why does he think football clubs are not hiring BAME coaches.
“As a black coach I believe it’s harder to progress up the chain and in the immediate future I don’t see this changing and the top black coaches at academy level are not getting the recognition which could enable them to progress to top roles in the football world.”
Recognition
For the BAME coaches that are involved at a professional level why do we never hear about them. I used the example of Borussia Dortmund youth team coach Gary Gordon who has helped produced World Cup winning talents like Mario Gotze but yet in the UK he is an unkown.
“it’s about giving the black coaches at academy level more recognition for their work and allowing them to be involved in and be around with the 1st teams at clubs. They are good enough to develop players at clubs but are not good enough to work with the players in the 1st team who have learned a lot from them or other black coaches in the past.”
Not Enough or Good Enough
Can we simply look at this from a background perceptive?
“it’s not cheap to support your child in this field, going up and down the country, trials, also society has changed do kids want to be footballers or do they want the lifestyle of a footballer. Also, the facilities that are available to the clubs are not enough or good enough for coaches to carry out their best work.”
Role Models
“It’s more about educating the young players about the everyday dangers of street life and the negative effect that peer pressure can lead them in to the wrong path.
With spot light on knife crime in the country at an all-time high in the as someone who works with young teens Dominic highlights what he feels is his duty as a coach.
“I’d also say that the young players need a lot of positive role models to guide them in making the right decisions and giving guidance.”
Is it important to have a role model?
“Youth workers at my local youth centre who saw I had a passion and helped to push me in the right direction and take an active interest in the sport.”
No one can predict how coaching will pan out for BAME coaches but Dominic knows exactly where he needs to be right now.
“At the moment I’m happy with what I’m doing and working on trying to progress the junior club I’m involved in, in terms of developing the coaches I’m responsible for which most are of a black and ethnic background. I may look in the future to complete my UEFA B badge and see where that takes me. But for now, I’m more than happy with the success I have had and fingers crossed will continue to have.”
