Going into the first Rising Leaders residential, I was really excited. One of the things I was most looking forward to was getting out of London and meeting new people who share my passion for football and leadership. I had only met one person on the programme before the residential started, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. However, everyone was welcoming from the start, which made it easy to settle in.

Over the three days, we took part in a wide range of activities, many of which focused on self-reflection. I really value self-reflection because it helps you understand yourself better and think about how you can grow as a leader, coach, and teammate. Taking the time to reflect on our experiences and leadership styles made me think more deeply about the kind of leader I want to be.

One activity that stood out was when we explored the key words we associate with being a coach and a leader. Words like communication and authenticity came up in our discussions. I realised that many of these qualities depend on perception the way you see yourself as a leader may not always match how others experience you. This made me more aware of how important it is to communicate effectively and consider the impact we have on those around us.

We also started with ice-breaker games, which helped everyone get to know each other quickly and fostered a positive, supportive environment. Seeing how open and willing everyone was to participate made the experience even more enjoyable.

A highlight of the residential was the practical session on the second day, delivered by a female FA coach. As a female coach myself, it was inspiring to see a woman leading the session and sharing her experiences at that level. I took the opportunity to ask her how she builds confidence and authority when coaching in environments where she is the only woman. Her advice was practical and realistic, and learning from someone who has faced similar challenges was incredibly valuable.

During the session, we also explored how to run a football session effectively, emphasising organisation, communication, and planning. Afterwards, we reflected as a group on how we could apply these lessons in our own coaching environments.

Throughout the residential, we completed several group challenges that encouraged teamwork and communication, pushing us to collaborate with people we had just met. It was impressive to see how everyone supported one another and gave their best effort.

Learning about the different roles within football was another key part of the residential. This opened my eyes to the many opportunities beyond what we normally see and showed me how much impact one can make in different areas of the game.

I also enjoyed meeting people from various places. Not everyone was from London, and it was fascinating to hear about other participants’ journeys in football and leadership. 

One thing I particularly like about this programme is the constant support offered by staff not just during the residential, but also when we are not there. Knowing that guidance and advice are always available makes the programme feel even more valuable and supportive.

One thing I also noticed during the residential was how much impact simply being yourself can have on others. There were participants who were quieter or less confident, and I could see how seeing someone step up, embrace challenges, and share their ideas gave them a boost. Just by being authentic and showing confidence in my own leadership, I felt I was helping others realise that they could do the same. It was a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t just about guiding a group its also about inspiring those around you to find their own voice.

Being part of the Rising Leaders programme is an exciting opportunity to develop my coaching and leadership skills. I applied after several people recommended it to me - my teacher, two of my coaches, and one of my managers all encouraged me to apply, which made me realise I shouldn’t miss this chance.

This residential reminded me how important it is to step outside of your comfort zone. I strongly believe that challenging ourselves opens doors to opportunities we might never discover otherwise. Staying in our comfort zones limits growth, but trying new things helps us unlock our full potential.

For me, the word leadership carries great meaning. This programme is helping me understand what leadership truly involves and how I can use it to positively influence others in football. I’m looking forward to the next residential, where we will be preparing a presentation. I’m excited to continue learning, developing my leadership skills, and building on everything we started during Residential 1.