⚽️ A Year of Growth: One Student’s Journey Through Coaching, Travel, and Football

At the beginning of last year, Finn (Brighouse) Whitaker stepped into the world of coaching with minimal experience and no clear direction. What he did have, however, was a deep passion for football—a passion that would become the driving force behind a year full of unforgettable experiences and personal growth.

✈️ Travel & Lessons Learned

One of the standout opportunities came in the form of a coaching trip to Alicante, Spain. It proved to be the most challenging experience since starting their coaching journey. A session that didn’t go as planned became a pivotal learning moment, especially after a candid conversation with tutor Matthew Whiteley. That exchange helped Finn realise that mistakes are not setbacks—they’re stepping stones to improvement.

Later in the year, he travelled to Munich, Germany 🇩🇪 during a Champions League weekend. Although he didn’t coach during this trip, witnessing the global reach and shared passion for football was eye-opening. It reinforced the idea that football is more than just a sport—it’s a universal language.

Manchester City: A Dream Realised

The highlight of the year was undoubtedly a working week spent at Manchester City, one of the biggest football clubs in the world. The experience offered a first-hand look at the elite standards upheld across every level of the organisation. While Finn had already reflected on this it was impossible not to mention it again when looking back on such a transformative year.

🌟 Growth, Gratitude & Looking Ahead

Over the course of the year, Finn developed not only as a coach but also as a person. Their progress was made possible thanks to the unwavering support of tutors Matthew Whiteley and Ste Beddard, whose guidance—both in coursework and coaching—never went unnoticed.

Equally important were peers Keli Sunderland, Charlie Wood, and Josh Bottomley, who stood by him during moments of uncertainty and grew alongside them as passionate, dedicated coaches. The sense of community and shared ambition within LLS played a huge role in making the year so special.

As Finn looks ahead, he does so with gratitude and excitement. If the past year is anything to go by, the next one promises even greater things—if that’s even possible.