Our third Regional Youth Network meeting was packed with insights and reflection opportunities to help us grow and utilise our network.

Meeting our new Regional Youth Network Leads

We kicked off by meeting our new Regional Youth Network Leads, Faye Luckhurst and Jack Masters, who both shared their personal journeys within the sports industry and the FA Youth Leadership ecosystem.

What Does Your Network Look Like?

The topic of identifying our networks and opportunities was introduced with an insightful idea from Lauren O’Sullivan, who described a network as a tribe who challenge, inspire, and encourage you while supporting you to achieve your goals.

We then reflected on the value of our own networks. One story that stood out to me came from another member, who described how a coach mentor’s guidance and support had been key to his coaching journey.

Communicating for Connection

Next, we dived into our first activity from the personal development workbooks, focusing on how we communicate and how we can improve in the future. Key points of discussion included the importance of body language, the role of sign language, and the growing influence of LinkedIn as a networking tool.

Volunteering opens doors

The most memorable part of the meeting for me was when Faye talked about how volunteering can open up opportunities as your network grows and becomes more aware of your willingness to give up your time to support on projects. This really resonated with me. Last year, I completed a voluntary sandwich year placement with the Sheffield United Community Foundation, which helped me develop my research and coaching skills. I’m hopeful this will open up opportunities in my area of interest- research and insight for sports organisations.

Reflecting on Our Networks

The next task involved reflecting on our own networks by asking ourselves:

• Who might you need to network with? - This made me think about my future in sport business management and networking with partners and other stakeholders.
• How are you going to network with them? - I considered the idea of persuasive networking to help open up further opportunities.
• What’s the most effective way to communicate with them? - We discussed the value of active listening, which helps you learn more and build stronger connections.
• What do you need to communicate? - Expressing your knowledge and passion in a topic area can help you leave a strong impression.

Setting Goals for Growth

To finish the session, we focused on setting SMART targets related to our networks. I set myself the goal of using my current connections to help me find a graduate role after university, as well as exploring new opportunities within the FA Youth Leadership Ecosystem to grow both my network and my skills.

Looking ahead

This session was a valuable reminder of the importance of my network in my journey so far, while also giving me the chance to reflect on how I can utilise and expand it to support my future development. I’m really excited for the remaining Regional Youth Network meetings, as they always bring fresh insights and diverse perspectives that will be crucial for my growth.