Scott

I'm a UEFA-licensed coach and I've been lucky enough to work with a World Cup winner, a European Champion, and current Premier League stars.

But none of that matters here.

What matters is this.

I'm a father of 3 football-mad kids and I'd anything if it meant they weren’t worried about looking silly, hearing groans from the sidelines, or made to feel like their not good enough or don't belong in the team.

My weekends are spent watching my kids play, but I dread one thing more than anything else. It's not whether they win or lose. Not whether they get injured.

I specialise in helping players fall in love with the beautiful game. 

It's the dreaded drive home.

Yes, those long drives when they stare out of the window and I white knuckle the steering wheel in silence. Knowing their confidence is in tatters and i'm trying not say something that will make them feel even worse.

Two of my kids play grassroots but my youngest plays at the highest level she ca play in Scotland, she's signed with a professional club with a clear path to the first team. But it doesn't matter who I’m driving home, the dreaded silence is the same.

And when I speak to other parents at the touchline, I know I'm not alone. Everyone talks about how fragile their child's confidence is. How talented kid can flip from loving football at training on Wednesday to hesitant and fearful during Saturdays match.

It's not because they lack ability. My daughter can copy every flashy skill she sees on TikTok.

UEFA A Pre

UEFA B

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