Derby County’s goalkeeping duo Kelle Roos and Henrich Ravas joined the Community Trust’s Football Coaching and Development degree students for a Q&A based on their own experiences of playing and being coached as professional players on Thursday afternoon.
They met the students and discussed players and coaches who have had the greatest influences on their careers, their highs and lows in the game and also offered advice for our aspiring coaches.
Roos, on coaching youngsters starting off their journeys within football, said: “Joy is the number one thing.
“If kids love it then they’re going to give you their all. If you’re not in love with the game you’re never going to put in the hours that you have to.”
Ravas added: “Make sure they enjoy it, encourage them and that you have patience!”
Other topics included use of sport psychology, training drills and integrating with outfield players, sporting philosophies and the ever-important debate of Messi or Ronaldo.
Zack Yates, a community coach and degree student at Derby County Community Trust, said: “It was really interesting and offered a great insight into the professional game. As an aspiring football coach working with younger age groups, it’s great to get advice from players who have played and been coached at the highest level.”
Derby County Community Trust offer the Community Football Coaching and Development degree in partnership with the University of South Wales and the EFL Trust.
For more information on the course which you can still sign up to start in September 2020, please visit derbycountycommunitytrust.com/programmes/education/community-football-coaching-and-development-degree.