Meet the coaches: Nathan Hunt

It’s time to meet u9 Romans coach and the man behind our club newsletters, Nathan Hunt. Find out why he loves coaching, his proudest coaching moment and which ex-England defender once shouted at him.

Hi Nathan, tell us what got into football coaching…

My son started at Saturday Soccer and was really progressing, but we needed more coaches at Saturday Soccer to help and then take on the team once they left. I had managed Sunday league, enjoyed football and getting involved with my son and helping other kids to get a chance to play football so I joined, did my DBS, safeguarding and FA qualifications and took over the management of his team at u8s.

Tell us about your own football background? Where does your love of the game come from and did you play a lot of football before becoming a coach?

I think, for me, I have always loved football. I didn't play competitively when I was growing up as my primary school was very small and I was not good enough for teams at school so I didn't have those opportunities to regularly play football as a child.

I ended up managing and playing Sunday league for a number of years, which was quite an experience! Having said that it was really good to get the local community playing football and for me to play - and learn about how to submit fines!! So these factors really came to a head when asked to coach at Saturday Soccer; I want young people to get a chance that I didn't to play football and be part of something challenging and rewarding outside of school and be physically active.

What team do you support and why?

I support two teams: Wrexham and Manchester United.

Despite the recent exposure I was actually born in Wrexham and have followed the team (from the further corner of the country) for most of my life through some awful times (relegation and many failed promotions) and was really happy to see watch them in the FA Trophy in 2013 and against Brighton in the FA Cup in 2012 amongst other games.

I support Man Utd as, when I was growing up, they were the swashbuckling team developing under Ferguson. It feels like I am a glory hunter but I supported them from the 80s! I have also been able to watch some great games too - I once saw an amazing 3-3 draw with Sheffield Wednesday! We had to leave before the end and I can remember the roar of the crowd when Eric Cantona equalised in the 85th minute. I also got to go to Old Trafford with work, but my ticket stub had been ripped off and I had to go back to the car park to find it!!

Have you ever met a famous footballer? If so, who?

I used to sell products to football clubs so I have been shouted at by former England defender Mark Wright, then manager of Chester. What an honour! I also met Dean Keates after Wrexham's FA Cup game. He was off AWOL to the casino in town!

What’s the most difficult aspect of coaching a team and what’s the most rewarding?

The most difficult thing is, being a parent coach, managing your emotions and finding the right balance of challenging kids to do their best and be a role model. Most rewarding is watching them carry out on the pitch what you have worked on in training - that’s a special feeling. It was also really rewarding to watch our Celts start this season; some of the kids have been with the club since 4 or 5 and it was great to see them finally start playing competitive football.

Tell us about your favourite moment as a coach so far.

A full team move, including the goalkeeper, where they passed the ball around the opposition with one or two touches and got a shot off. We didn’t score but that really didn’t matter - it was exactly how I knew they could play.

What do you like about Canterbury Eagles?

I like that there are a range of teams and levels of ability and challenge across most of the age groups. It means we can provide the right challenge for a lot of young people across the city.

Who in particular at Canterbury Eagles has helped you in your coaching journey?

There was a coach, Jade, at Saturday Soccer when I was just a parent and I really enjoyed watching her coach our kids and making it fun; I learnt a lot of my initial coaching just from watching her. Dylan at Saturday Soccer has helped enormously as a new coach in talking about our ethos, helping with practical tips and being an ear to bend - whether he likes it or not!

What would you say to someone considering getting involved in coaching youth football?

Do it - you go on quite a learning and development rollercoaster and you need to be willing to accept and learn new things, but just embrace it and bring all your other life experience to the job as well. From being just another Dad on the sidelines, I’m now doing the UEFA C coaching qualification this year to continue my journey as a coach. I think it was a leap to get in and coach but watching others do it helped to settle my understanding of what to do and why. It’s helped me to give back to our community and young people by providing them an opportunity to play. Without me and the others in the club we would not be able to support as many players as we do. If you get involved, just think about those kids who you’re enabling to play. That should be motivation enough!

What one thing would you like to change about grassroots football?

Make it a national agenda to provide more all-weather training locations: grass is great but difficult to play through the winter and get the appropriate space to learn and develop in training.

Finally, what do you hope your players get out of playing for Eagles?

I just want them to know that they did their very best and enjoyed themselves within the context of being part of a team. Teamwork is such a critical factor in life that is hard to replicate, but football provides that environment to develop and understand that no person is an island.