The Arsenal Foundation works in partnership with Save the Children to deliver our Coaching for Life programme at the Za’atari refugee camp in Jordan – and it’s a life-changing experience for all concerned.
“My name is Stef and, as a graduate of Arsenal in the Community’s Coach Development Programme, I am a sessional coach at The Arsenal Hub. My recent coaching experience in Jordan has been about more than coaching – it has been a celebration of the strength of community.
“I was one of three Arsenal students, along with Bart and Lucy, on the Coach Development Programme who got to spend time at the Za’atari refugee camp on the Coaching for Life project, helping to train local coaches and deliver football sessions to the children in the camp.
“Our first task was to build connections with the locals. The ice was broken at the first opportunity to be competitive, with teqball and football matches suggested by the Syrian coaches who were keen to see what talent the CDP coaches and Arsenal in the Community staff possessed.
“Once left to our own devices, and overfilled with traditional Jordanian food – mansaf, tabbouleh, hummus and mixed grills – we began developing our schedules. The structure focused on a morning and afternoon split. In the morning Bart and I observed men’s coaching sessions while Lucy delivered coach education sessions to the female coaches. By afternoon, role reversal saw Bart and I lead coach education while Lucy supported coach delivery.
“We had an hour-long lunch break every day, during which time local cuisine was prepared in base camp by local chefs. We enjoyed platters of vine leaves, hummus and falafel, and twists on the British staples of both chicken zinger wraps and chips and cheese in local bread quickly became personal favourites.
“We adapted to the rhythm of life in camp and our understanding of each coach’s personality and how best to interact with them evolved. Group roles became clear to us: Malek was the group’s natural joker; Wassim was nicknamed “top gaffer” after developing games himself and taking charge thanks to his leadership instincts; Mohammed strived for inclusion, using his English language skills to translate and incorporate us into sessions.
“We also developed stronger relationships with our main points of contact, Rana and Malak, cracking jokes together and forming close bonds.
“Over time we saw the fruits of our labour. Our sessions on a Tuesday afternoon incorporated planning and game design for the week ahead, while on Thursday morning we held sessions to gain feedback from both the male and female coaches.
“This resulted in a widened catalogue of resilience activities and scoring methods for small-sided games – both aimed at opening channels for free-flowing conversations between coaches, coordinators and kids alike.
“We also found ourselves adjusting to life in camp, where priorities were different from at home and demanded flexibility around prayer times and the intense mid-afternoon heat. Coupled with the exchange of Arabic and English phrases, we were learning just as much as we were teaching.
“Looking back, being involved with the Za’atari refugee camp exceeded all my expectations, and exploring Jordan alongside this created a life-changing experience for the three of us. The opportunity to learn about Jordanian culture, visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World in Petra and encounter the Mars-like surface and silence of the Wadi Rum was mind-blowing.
“Jordan’s hospitality was endearing, and its people’s generosity with food, company and recommendations helped to shape our experience. It was an absolute privilege to be part of and I know all future Coach Development Programme participants who follow in our footsteps will leave with the same immense level of gratification.”
Do you want to be a coach?
The Arsenal in the Community Coach Development Programme offers an exciting opportunity to get involved in community football coaching with Arsenal, both in London and overseas.
Based in London, at The Arsenal Hub, our coaches undertake a comprehensive programme of coach education and gain experience by leading and supporting sessions across our range of Arsenal in the Community projects. Coaching qualifications such as the Introduction to Coaching Football (FA Level 1), First Aid and Safeguarding courses.
Upon completion of the initial stages, coaches may be offered the opportunity to travel abroad to support our work around the world. Placements include supporting The Arsenal Foundation’s Coaching for Life programme in Za’atari Refugee Camp in Jordan, and multiple summer placements in the USA. Our coaches also have the choice to remain in London if they do not wish to travel abroad. Either way our coaches will undertake a bespoke work programme that allows them to continue their development and supports them towards achieving their next step beyond the programme.
For more information click here or email Drew Tyler at dtyler@arsenal.co.uk.
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