That was the dream of Elliot Miller aged 19 from Blackpool. Elliot, a keen footballer, wanted to learn more about the game he loved and then teach others how to play the game. He decided to enrol onto a Bolton Wanderers NVQ level 2 Coaching, Teaching and Instructing Football course that he had heard about at his local college. These courses are delivered by Bolton Wanderers Coach Education Department at Bolton Community College and various other colleges throughout the North West of England. Elliot started the course with little idea of the opportunities that lay ahead of him. He settled in quickly and soon began to impress his tutor with his effort and commitment.
“Elliot displayed a good attitude, great work ethic, and showed a good understanding of the coaching process. However he is not the only success story, the Club are always looking for good young coaches to help fulfil our commitments and to date we have given a pathway to employment to approx 50 or more students from our NVQ college programmes.”
Mark Edwards - Bolton Wanderers Assistant Coach Education Manager
All students who excel in college programmes are given the opportunity to work with our partners. BWFC has a contract with travel group Thomson/ First Choice/TUI to supply coaches throughout Europe to coach in their football programmes. At present BWFC supply 80% of all the coaches used by TUI in their programmes in hotels throughout Europe. Elliot’s efforts were rewarded with an invitation to represent the club coaching all over Europe. In Elliot's words “I have been really fortunate to work for a professional club at such a young age. I have had a really great time and been to places that I have never been to before. So far I have worked in Greece and Crete for 6 weeks, Lanzarote for 8 weeks and Turkey for 4 weeks.” Elliot made such a good impression during these spells abroad that he has since been to Egypt and Norway.
“Elliott has been exceptional in his attitude and his coaching ,the feedback from the kids and coaches has been first class, his quality stands out which in part is due to the mentoring he has had via our Coach Education Programme over the past 2 years doing the NVQ level 2 and 3. Elliott can only go from strength to strength; he can look forward to a busy summer working all over the world, with the USA for 4 weeks being one of the possible coaching assignments he will have.”
Dave Bailey BWFC International Soccer School Manager
Elliot now combines his time studying for the his NVQ Level 3 Coaching, Teaching and Instructing Football and working part time for a local coaching company.“When I started out I never realised what things could happen. I am really grateful to all the staff at BWFC for the help and opportunities they have given me” Elliot says with a large smile on his face.
Bolton Wanderers Coach Education Department will host an open evening at the Reebok Stadium on Thursday 25th February 2010 for anyone aged between 16 and 18 years interested in becoming a qualified football coach and taking part in the NVQ Level 2 & 3 Programmes starting in September 2010. Parents are also welcome to attend.
Please be aware that there are limited places on the courses and these will be subject to a strict selection process.
For further details and to register your interest contact Kathryn Lawrenson by calling 01204 673740 or alternativley please email
klawrenson@bwfc.co.uk.