Joe Evans is the Lead coach at Little Legs Football; he started his work-based learning journey as 17 year old with Achieve More Training’s Jobs Growth Wales+ programme, based at their Professional Learning Centre at Haverfordwest County AFC.
Joe had already gained good GCSE results at school, but he wasn’t sure which direction he wanted his professional life to turn. He knew, however, that he wanted sport, especially football, to play a big part of it.
As a very talented footballer himself, Joe used to attend the Academy at Haverfordwest County AFC and, due to these sporting interests, he heard about AMT’s Professional Learning Centre based at the same football club. Joe signed up for the Level 1 Assistant Sports Coaching Award.
It was during his time at Haverfordwest County AFC’s Academy that Joe first met Mark Murison, who was the club’s Head of Coaching at the time.
Mark has since set up a private coaching company called Little Legs Football. Joe’s time on the Jobs Growth Wales+ was coming to its natural conclusion and Achieve More Training helped him to apply for his Apprenticeship with Mark and facilitated Joe through the interview process.
The Level 1 Assistant Sports Coaching Award that Joe gained on the Jobs Growth Wales+ scheme enabled him to progress to becoming an Apprentice with Mark and study for a Level 3 PESS (PE in School Sport), which will qualify Joe as a Level 3 Sports Coach, as well as a Level 3 Teaching Assistant.
During his apprenticeship with Little Legs Football, Joe has regularly coached children of many different age groups, ranging from the Little Dribblers (2 year olds) to the Development Football Centre (up to 11 year olds). Little Legs Football is adamant that each session must be engaging, skills development focussed and fun.
Joe is responsible for organising and setting up the sessions, taking the register, ensuring all Safeguarding and GDPR regulations are met and making sure the children go home safely and happily.
Joe has now completed his Level 3 PESS Coaching Qualification and is working full-time as the lead coach at Little Legs Football. He has gained a First Aid Qualification and is working on gaining more coaching qualifications through Little Legs Football the FAW.
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“The apprenticeship programme allowed me to employ Joe and to support him to become one of the most valuable members of the team. His hard work and delivery of the Little Legs Football curriculum has benefitted the children’s physical, social and academic development.”
Mark Murison, Little Legs Football Director.