Chloe and Zaki are currently studying the BSc (Hons) Manchester City Community Football Coaching course, a partnership between Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and Manchester City FC’s City in the Community (CITC) Foundation. The three-year course combines theory-based teaching at MMU’s Institute for Sport, alongside work-based learning at the state-of-the-art Etihad Campus.

Chloe is 18, lives in Ashton-under-Lyne and came to Connell from Laurus Rycroft High School in Droylsden. Zaki is 19, lives in Levenshulme and came to Connell from Dean Trust Ardwick. Both studied our Triple Sports & Exercise Science BTEC and both achieved D*DD. 

 

What volunteering did you do when you were at Connell?

Chloe: I did some coaching. I have six years’ coaching experience with Mossley Juniors (U7s to U11s).

Zaki: I’m also in my sixth year of coaching. I did the City in the Community course, and so I did a bit of coaching through that. I’m a goalie coach and I’ve coached my local youth team, Kingsway Athletic U12s and U18s girls. And I do some coaching for a grassroots community organisation in South Manchester too.

 

What’s your favourite memory from your time at Connell?

Chloe: Visiting the MIHP [Manchester Institute of Health & Performance]. It was very inspirational to see some different professions and see how they worked.

Zaki: I got the opportunity to train with MCFC’s reserves. And I’ve done lots of under-16s and under-18s coaching. 

 

Anything else you’d like to add about your time at Connell?

Chloe: I wasn’t sure what career I wanted to do when I came to college. Getting to take part in lots of different taster sessions has been great. I’ve been able to experience coaching, sports science, and lots more things.

Zaki: I’m glad I did sports science at college and am now doing coaching at university. I now have experience in lots of different areas which makes me more rounded. I can use my sports science insight as part of my coaching, for example, you can see why someone is underperforming due to their nutritional intake. 

 

What’s the Manchester City Community Football Coaching course like?

Chloe: Really good! There are lots of opportunities to go on placements. We’ve learnt about community sport in the first year. Over the next two years we’ll cover everything from scientific and academic writing, through to looking at contemporary issues in sports coaching practice.

Zaki: I’m really enjoying it too. There are about 35-40 on the course so it’s quite a nice close group. We’re based on the MMU campus two days a week and we’re at the City Football Academy site for one day a week. It’s a great pathway and the tutors are really good too. 

 

What have you learnt about so far?

Chloe: We’ve learnt about the fundamentals of sports coaching, skills, basic coaching – these are across all sports, not just football. The best ways to get more people taking part in sports, such as how to increase participation amongst some groups in society. 

 

What's been the best thing you’ve learnt on the course so far?

Chloe: A highlight for me is being able to network with other coaches. It’s great to observe other coaches and take things from their sessions – see what works and what doesn’t – and incorporate them into my sessions.

Zaki: I really enjoyed watching some of MCFC’s academy coaches in action. In particular, I got to watch Kolo Toure when he was the academy coach.

 

What are your career plans for after university?

Chloe: I’d like to set up my own coaching business. I’d love to be able to provide provision for people to take part in sport. I’d like to make it easy for people to take part in sport and break down some of the barriers to access. 

Zaki: I want to work in elite sports coaching – as a goalie coach – ideally for a national team. It’d be amazing to be an England goalie coach and go to a World Cup or Euros. 

 

You’ve been coaching Connell students as part of your course. What’s that experience been like?

Zaki: I’ve loved it; I’m so happy to come back here and coach. I’ve missed the course and Connell, so it’s great to come back and support Dane and Emily [CITC coaches]. I’ve built good relationships with the keepers in an environment I loved. 

Chloe: I’ve worked with the wider group, and I’ve developed a great rapport with them. Dane and Emily have been providing great advice – they’re fantastic to learn from.