A 17 year old Ely football coach has been nominated for a national award for his volunteering with local teams.
Alfie Tate has been short listed for a Living Sport for the Young Community Volunteer of the Year award
Alfie, who has his own football blog, mainly coaches for Mildenhall Town’s youth team, as well as weekly coaching at after school clubs and Witchford Colts.
“During half-term camps I’m easily coaching over 100 kids a week,” he said.
“I’m FA Level 2 qualified and have been coaching since I was 14.
“I have no idea who nominated me for this award - but I have a relatively good idea who it was - although they’ve denied it when I asked!”
Alfie works with the under-12’s, under-13’s and under-14’s at Mildenhall.
He also coaches at St Ives Scholarship scheme with their under 18’s but says Mildenhall is his main club for involvement.
“It’s a massive honour for me to be short listed for this award and can only thank everyone who has supported me and helped my development as a coach.
“The ambition is to coach/manage at the highest possible level so I’ll continue to learn and improve myself every day.
“I have to pay credit to everyone at Mildenhall Town Football Club for this season who have given me the opportunity to work at a fantastic club with some extremely talented players and surrounded by supportive and forward thinking coaches such as Dean Greygoose in the first team to everyone in the reserves, under-18’s and the rest of the youth set-up.”
He also thanked Liam Bull, Courtney, Stannard and especially Jimmy Unwin who he said: “Has been the best possible mentor for my development this year!
“I can’t thank them enough and they all deserve as much credit as I do for the work that goes on.”
Alfie said that the majority of player development is down to the player themself.
“For a player to become better, they require a lot of practise with the ball, and that can only be done in their own time with a bit of support from their club/coach.
“Players need to go play with their mates up the park, play football in the playground – that’s where a lot of development is seen.
“Even pull out footballs and cones and create their own sessions for themselves. Dribbling through cones, taking shots at goal, passing a ball against a wall, working on their basic technique.”
• Check out his twitter @tatealfie.
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