How Did Philip Get into Youth Sport Coaching? 

“There are many beautiful Grass to Grace stories, mine started as a hobby and as the passion grew matured into something even more special than what I actually expected.  Even before I was born Football had already been bearing beautiful fruits in my Family, my Grand Father played professionally for Western Region based Sekondi Hasaacas. I was privileged to be born into this Family and a community where most of the kids and young people loved the Game of Football. Growing up with a single mother and under very difficult financial circumstances Football became Great companion for me and my 2 brothers. As our hardworking mother went to work to get us our daily bread, we will often have no food to eat after school and the only way we could deal with hunger and sadness was to go out there and play.  We would play until very late in the evening because our Mother used to return home very late. 

To be honest I didn't know anything about Coaching in Football until I was 12 years old. At that time in 2009 I would go for old newspapers and cut out the images of Top Football players to decorate our Room and Text books . In one of these quests I read about C.K Gyamfi and Osam Duodu who are Legendary Ghanaian Coaches. I even thought it was their Job to feed the players and pay them salary until I read otherwise, I came to understand that I can teach the little knowledge I had about the game to other kids and help them to also fall in love with the Game.   

My Philosophy is about the Players not the Sport. I want to help kids develop in Four key areas Social, Physical, Psychological and Technical developments. Developing kids who grow up to become meaningful adults in society, not just Football players.To help them find out who they really are, what they can do best and what they want to do with their lives.I want to develop players who Are in Love with Football and understand the impact the game can have on their lives and the lives of others” 

Why is Philip Passionate about putting kids first? 

“Kids are our legacy and the true representation of our impact here on earth, they are so clean and naïve and it is our responsibility to teach, care for and Nurture them into the best they can be. Personally there is this huge sense of accomplishment and happiness that I feel when I am able to put genuine smiles on kids faces. Kids learn a lot and develop well in environments where they are prioritized and are allowed to freely express themselves. I want to make an impact that I will be remembered for years after I pass and the best way I can do this is directly impact the next generation of leaders. Play is essential to every child’s development and to do so in a safe environment free of abuse and rejection, where their Happiness and growth is prioritized is one of the best gifts I can give the World” 

Philip’s Top Tips for Youth Sport Coaches: