Viliam Rigo

“Being recognized by ICOACHKIDS with this award means a great deal to me. Their platform has been an invaluable part of my coaching journey. It helped me grow, learn, and find better ways to connect with kids—especially girls. I’m deeply grateful to be named an ICOACHKIDS Champion, and I’ll continue striving to put children first in everything I do" 

How did you get into coaching children and young people? 

I started coaching about eight years ago when my children wanted to play football. Since I had played in our local town myself, I decided to help out with running practices. From the very beginning, I realized that the traditional way of coaching—running drills around cones and shooting—wasn’t enjoyable or engaging enough for the kids. I wanted more than just training sessions. I wanted them to love coming back, to talk about what they experienced, and to leave each session smiling. 

That inspired me to search for new ways to make football fun and meaningful. We started with just 10 kids aged 5 to 12. Today, our youth club has grown to around 80 children, with about 30 of them being girls. Over time, I developed a deep interest in coaching children in a different, more child-centered way. That’s when I became involved in the UEFA Disney Playmakers project, which focuses on introducing girls to football through storytelling and play. Through that experience, I was introduced to the ICOACHKIDS platform. It became a crucial resource and helped me grow as a coach, especially in understanding how to work effectively with children and girls. I’m now a coach educator for the Slovak Football Association and mainly coach girls' teams. 

Why are you passionate about putting kids first in sport? 

I always say that children are pure souls. They deserve a beautiful childhood filled with joy, laughter, and meaningful experiences. If I can contribute to that—if I can help create memories they’ll treasure when they grow up—then I see it as both a privilege and a responsibility. Kids show us how to love, how to be real, and how to enjoy the moment. I believe we have so much to learn from them. 

I want to be a positive influence in their lives. Whether it's through football or the many community events my wife and I organize for children, my aim is to help them grow into kind, healthy, and ambitious people. In my practices, putting kids first means letting them play, respecting their unique world, and focusing on fun and smiles. If they come to practice excited and leave smiling, I know we’re doing something right. 

What would be your top tips for others working with young people in sport? 

• The first thing I tell new coaches is simple but important: remember, you’re working with children—not mini-adults. Don’t expect performance to be the top priority. Instead, focus on building character and creating a space where kids feel safe, valued, and excited to participate. 
• Understand that you are their role model. The way you behave, communicate, and engage with them shapes how they experience sport—and often how they view themselves. Don’t put them under pressure. Play with them.  
• Let them enjoy the game. Even if they don’t end up playing football long-term, perhaps they’ll discover a love for other sports. And if you helped ignite that passion, you’ve made a difference.