Last night we awarded our Community Captain with their shirt, trophy, pennant, and Captain’s armband!

We awarded this to Jay for his amazing attitude and commitment to the Premier League Kicks programme, progressing from participant to volunteer.

We caught up with Jay for an interview:

How long have you been attending Premier League Kicks?

Including just playing football, around four years.

How did you hear about it?

My friend first of all. It was Year Seven and he told me about this place called Kicks and was like, come over one week and see how it is, and if you like it, you can keep coming along, it’s free. So I said okay, because back then I wanted to play competitively a bit more.

Are you playing at the moment?

Yeah.

Who do you play for?

It’s an alright team, it’s Wanborough Div. 4

What’s the long-term plan with your playing?

I’m hoping to start playing for Swindon.

That’s a noble goal.

Yeah.

What did you like about kicks that kept you coming back?

It was how easy it was to get on with people and how much fun it was to play with other people I didn’t know. Yeah.

Why did you start volunteering?

Probably because it looked like fun. When I was playing, I would look at the coaches and they looked happy, were having banter and having fun, and that’s why I wanted to come and join, plus I wanted to help people get better at the game. 

Which do you prefer? The playing side or the volunteering side?

It’s 50/50, in my opinion, they’re both just really fun to do.

Do you find that the volunteering helps you in your everyday life, have you picked up any skills or experience from the volunteering that has helped you elsewhere?

Yeah, it’s helped me mature a bit.

How has the mentoring supported you?

Pretty well to be fair, Josh was here every hour before I coached, and we would sit with his laptop and go through the FA Playmaker course, so that was good.

So, take me through what a Friday evening looks like for you?

Well, usually I would arrive around half-five because I had to get here with Josh. Now, I’m getting here around half six with my mates, because my mates do it as well. We have a little kickabout, we bring a ball, and then when it’s time for the players to go on I meet up with the coaches and help them get everything ready, and then the second hour I play.

What are your next steps? What are you looking to do after school?

I’m going to do public service in college, and keep playing.

Would you consider a career in coaching or in this kind of environment?

Yeah, I mean, I’d love to. It’s nice to help kids learn how to play football. Plus, with the skilled players, helping them to control themselves, because a lot of the skilled players’ work rate isn’t the best, compared to others. So, they just need guidance.

What’s your impression of life for people your age, what is there for teenagers in Swindon?

Well, if I had to tell young people something, it would be to just live their life. My mum keeps telling me that once you leave school, you’re just going to wish you were back there. These are some of the best years of your life right now. So, yeah, I would just tell them to embrace themselves.