Hi, I’m Woody, one of the emerging club leaders selecting on this year’s programme. I’ve been fortunate enough to secure a volunteering placement as the media and marketing officer at Ashton United FC, in hope of building the football club and improving it within my duration at the club. I was fortunate enough to take part in the development day that The FA and BUCS decided to present to everyone who is part of this year’s programme. Throughout this day I decided to document it and produce a short day in the life video to reflect the experiences I was fortunate to take part in. You can watch my day in the life here: 

 I’d like to say a massive thank you to the people who spoke and helped on the day which included various people involved within the FA, national league and BUCS too. This allowed me to gain essential knowledge and valuable experience that I can use to my advantage going forward. We discussed various essential topics within non-league football such as thriving the community clubs we are working within, how to grow the clubs, as well as personal development and volunteering. This key information will help us progress and develop the clubs we are working within so that the programme itself is not only a success for us but also the club too. This was another reason why we worked on becoming an emerging club leader as its vital to discuss between people within industry and fellow student in order to become more knowledgeable on how we are going to progress the clubs even further whilst we are volunteering as part of this programme.

The day was very insightful and structured brilliantly. By having variation within the sessions such as some written tasks but also many interactive sessions, it allowed us to get the most out of the development day. All staff were extremely welcoming too and it gave me so much more confidence to succeed within my volunteering job role as they are willing to support and push me to succeed, within the club I’m working at. So far, the programme has proven to be extremely beneficial and it’s something I’m very excited to continue into the new year. Yet again thanks to BUCS and the FA, as well as FC United of Manchester for hosting the event too.