Shonelle Stephen at Arsenal FC

Shonelle Stephen has been awarded most outstanding participant “Coaching the coaches” at the Football Holiday Camp 2013. The local coach got an invitation to the Arsenal Gap Year programme 2014/2015 for three weeks including accommodation in England as well as travel cost. Her programme started on Monday, 4th August 2014, and she returns to Barbados on Saturday, 23rd August 2014. Here we collect the impressions Shonelle sent us from London:

Departure

Saturday, 2nd August 2014, 6.05pm, BA2154 with an arrival at Gatwick the next day at 7.10am. Bob picked up Shonelle at the airport to drive her to the accommodation close to the Emirates.

4th August 2014

Today we basically went through the introductory part of the program. The team was introducded then we went through some house keeping, Do’s and Don’ts. We did a couple of bounding or team building exercises . E.g.: We were split into groups of six and we had to get one person through a piece of A4 paper without breaking the edges. Lol, that was challenging.
For our afternoon session we went through the five basic components of a training session like the warm up, technical aspect and its progressions match, cool down and the talk or review. After each drill we had to give feedback or say the different progressions or changes we would make you suit certain situations. Today I learn that you get back what you put in.

5th August 2014

Today we did a continuation of yesterdays dribbling drills. There were about five persons coach had picked out to carry these drills. I was Omel’s partner. Each coach had to show different drills based on the templates we were given on day one. All the coaches that carried sessions did a pretty good job for a first session.
We were all able to give each other various feedback some positive and negative. My key thought for today is as a coach while giving instruction for a drill be clear when giving instructions, give demonstrations.

6th August 2014

Today we did Dribbling continuation off the past few days. Dribbling is running with the ball at speed but the ball is under your full control. One of yesterdays basic warm ups was hand ball. Jason one of the Gappers took the session. We were divided into two teams and a goal could only be scored by a header. We also went through some variations in football tennis. Today as coaches we were put on the spot to come up with drills of our own.

7th August 2014

Today’s topic was Turns. We went through several turns e.g. inside and outside cut and the pull back. We were shown how to be resourceful, we took just three cones turned it into a basic template set up of a triangle and we each brought different variations to the table. We were thought a warm up called Domes and Dishes. This was a really interesting warm up drill; a dome was a cone correctly placed and a dish was a cone up side down.

8th August 2014

Today was our tour of the Emirates Stadium. “The home of Arsenal”. Arsenal also known as “The Gunners”. Arsenal was funded in 1886, the Emirates stadium holds about 60,000. Arsenal has the most played games unbeaten 49 games beating the previous record of 42 games by Nottingham. Arsenal have won 11 FA cups, 13 First division and Premier league titles, 18 FA cup finals appearances; 2013-2014 FA cup winners.
After the tour we had a workshop session with Jack. We did a team building exercise we were in groups of 4 each group was given a piece of foil and we had the create one animal that represented us in the group. Jack went through the structure of the Gap program.

11th – 15th August 2014

On Monday 11th I started my Level 1 course. My tutor and assessor wasTom Youlden. FA Emergency Aid and FA Safeguarding Children Workshop were also certigicate courses in my level 1.
Level 1 consisted of a mock practical exam done in pairs, my partner and myself did a drill called Robin Hood.
On Wednesday was our Emergency Aid and Safeguarding Children Workshop. In Emergency Aid we went through things like CPR, children with asthma, head injuries. All done as a practical we also did the recovery position. Safeguarding is about the children welfare. All children have a right to be protected from abuse regardless of their age, gender, culture.
For my final assessment my drill was “See It Do It”; In a nut shell its 7v3 starting with a overload, working on keeping possession team work and communication. Its a drill that you have lots of movement see the pass do it.
I was assessed and now I have my level 1.

18th & 19th August 2014

On these two days we had our usual coaching education but the morning sessions was Jack and his team educating us about some of the other programs Arsenal have. I’ll share the two that stood out.
There is the kick project (they work eith the police and some other organisations): This is a project design to help young people in high risk communities. High risk meaning villages with the most crime and drop outs. They would meet in these areas like twice a week and play football, mostly matches. There are a lot of success stories some are draft into youth teams and become professional footballers. While there are some that goes into the system.
There is the Freedom from Torture Project: this is for men who have been tortured. Men come from all over the world to be a part of this Arsenal in the Community project. The Arsenal team would go during the day. They play football and are given english classes, some even do their level 1.

20th to 23rd August 2014

During these sessions we recapped on what we have been doing over the past week. Things like turns, cone roads, passing, dribbling, etc. As part of that we as coaches had to come up with ways to progress the sessions. We did sessions on being able to adapt (e.g.) not enough equipment, rain falling, being able to work through uprising situations.
On Friday my final day we did some sessions with Alan. Prep for school with small facilities. We went through some sessions that would be more appropriate in small field situations. Alan’s session was very informative.

Arrival

Saturday, 23rd August 2014, departing at 11:20am in Gatwick (London) on BA2155, arriving 14:50pm at Grantley Adams International (Barbados).

Impressions of Shonelle’s time with the Gap Year 2014/2015 at Arsenal FC

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22 Comments

• You could see that she is a very attentive person remembering the little things and has a team personality . And so far so good is making progress each and everyday in the program but there is more time to learn more great work so far Shonelle thumbs up.

• What a great opportunity for a young Barbadian female. I did not know that these types of opportunities existed. Why didn’t we hear or read about her departure so we could come out and offer our support – did I miss it? Good stuff, Ms. Stephens, I look forward to your next update.

• I am extremely pleased that this opportunity has arisen for this young lady. Of course she would have fought for this and so it is well-deserved. A stepping stone to making dreams come true Ms Stephens so continue to strive for excellence and absorb as much as you can from the Arsenal Gap peeps.

  Enjoy it all!

• I’m not surprised that Shonelle was picked for that course she is a very tentative to detail and remembers everything big or small as we can read in her daily reports I’m really looking toward to reading and learning more from u Shonelle keep up the smashing work

• Ms. Stephen these team building exercises sound like comedy. I could just imagine everyone laughing while doing them. I still can’t imagine the one with the A4 paper, how did your team do? Also, what animal did your group come up with in the foil exercise?

• I was looking over the photos, how many females and males are in the program and are they any more Caribbean participants?

• Yes I was also wondering about the male to female ratio seems the interest to be a femail coach was a very strong dream in Ms Stephens heart . And yes the exercises with the foil I wonder what kind of animals the teams came up with I’m dying to know lol . keep up the training (once you have a dream you have got a change) .

• What a wonderful opportunity! Make the most of the opportunity given to you. A very deserving young lady. Keep up the good work!

• Congrats hun ! Extremely proud of you .. keep it the good work

• This could not have happened to a more deserving young lady. I’m extremely proud of you Shonelle. I’m sure that you’ll come back to Barbados and teach others the young footballers all that you have learned in fine style. Keep up the good work!

• Shon, I absolutely enjoyed your daily recaps. I am happy you had this opportunity and I know you will continue to grow. Keep striving. Much love

• I am truly passed for Ms Shonelle Stephen that she was afforded this opportunity. Football is her passion, she is a dedicated young woman to her task an exemplary student of the craft and a great team player, I know on her return to Barbados Shonelle will impart what ever knowledge she would have acquired over the three weeks, I along with will say a big Thany You

• i have know ms stephens for a long time she always dedicated to football from day 1 i am so happy to see the steps you have make also the progress you have make keep up the good work sis

• Good workin shonnelle im most gratefull for u keep up the good work

• Congratulations Shonelle on being able to represent yourself and Barbados. Excellent descriptions, great explanation on the details. Looking forward to reading and hearing more on your development.

• Hey Shonelle, this is a very interesting, important & informative course, looks like all is going well so far, congrats on completing ur level 1, jus continue ta stay focus & keep doing well, your friends in Barbados know u can do it, so keep up the good work & pass this course with flying colours, will be looking forward for your return. Keep safe, see u soon.

• Shonelle your determination and valiant efforts hopefully has been noticed. As a well rounded athlete being blessed with the natural skill set Shonelle has her personality eminates and the resilliance has thus carried her on a path with which her goal to be a professional athlete will be within her grasp. An as embassador to where ever sports takes her will reflect proudly for herself and by extension her country she represents. Go forth and continue your selfless service to sport and your country and continue to be a shinning example for all youth worldwide to follow and exemplify.

• Congrats shone gud work and I know this is not the end of the road

• I also have known Shonelle for years and she was well deserving of this opportunity.
  She is very athletic and loves sports on a whole but has a very deep passion for football. I knew she would pass with flying colours.
  She is a person who is very serious about what she is doing and and I know that she will take this knowledge and share it with many a youngster in Barbados.
  Keep pushing on Shone and be the best that you can be don’t let anyone stand in your path.

• Shonelle Stephen’s is one of the greatest sisters and mothers ever. She is very athletic and loves sports, she well rounded athlete being blessed with the natural skill in a whole but has a very deep passion for football. She is a person who is very serious about what she is doing. Your friends and family in Barbados know you can do it, so keep up the good work and pass this course with flying colors, will be looking forward for your return even though I’m overseas I’m still cheering you on sis.

• I just want to congratulate Shonelle overall on a job well done. Shonelle has always been a very ambitious and dedicated young lady, with a great desire for football. I view this as a great opportunity for her as she launches out to start her career. Shonelle may you take full opportunity of this scholarship and see it as a stepping stone into a great future ahead.
  Congrats again and I hope to see you one day in the big league.

• Congratulation shone we know that you were and still capable of shining through in any aspect of the sport .you pit your all into it we hope that you take all of your knowledge that you have learnt and the fun parts also and spread amounts the younsg and upcoming stars in the sport of football back home don’t let this be the end of the trip for you but jus the shining beacon on the begingng on the long trip ahead of you to be the pro you excel to be . thumbs up to you.