Liam Davies, a student on our Sports Coaching and Physical Education course, won the ‘Rising Star of the Year’ award at Birmingham County Football Association’s Annual Grassroots Awards. When the COVID pandemic hit, Liam wanted to help children to continue their love of sport, so set up his own YouTube channel, posting activities for children to try at home.
The award, aimed at coaches aged 25 and under, aims to identify talented coaches that have the potential to be role models in the industry, and celebrate coaches who have gone above and beyond what is expected of them in helping children engage in sport in an inclusive environment.
Engaging young people with football
Liam explained the activities that led to him receiving the award:
“Over 12-18 months during the COVID pandemic, I helped children continue to love the sport of football by starting my own social media brand ‘Liam Davies Coaching’. I started my own YouTube channel and posted activities for children to try in their own homes while training came to a halt, and also ran live zoom sessions!
“The YouTube videos gained over 3,000 views and through zoom I helped over 100 youth footballers stay active whilst learning new skills. Coming out of lockdown, I became coach for Solihull Moors FC U7s, leading a newly formed team to win the U7s Central Warwickshire Cup in their first season together. Looking to the future, I’m going to continue coaching my Solihull Moors team, create more YouTube videos, becoming Vice President of Football at BCU, and tackle every opportunity that comes my way to help children become confident in being themselves through playing football!”
A fantastic achievement
We’re so proud of Liam’s success. In the words of senior lecturer and course leader for Sports Coaching and Physical Education, Dr Adam Kelly: "Liam epitomises our core values here at BCU. Not only has he positively engaged in his university degree, he has been actively involved in the local community as a football coach to enhance his personal development, as well as help numerous young Birmingham-based players along the way.
"Our partnership-working with regional sports clubs and governing bodies has enabled Liam to grasp this opportunity with Solihull Moors FC, which is central to our ethos of a ‘practice-led knowledge-applied approach’. We are all super proud of Liam who very much deserves this award, and are looking forward to seeing him continue his coaching and teaching journey over the next few years."
Find out more about our Sports Coaching and Physical Education course
If you're interested in getting people involved in sport and physical activity, have you considered BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching and Physical Education?
