ISFA STUDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM

ISFA names first Student Management Team

ISFA will begin working with its first ever student management team for the 2011-12 season as part of the new ISFA Football Futures Leadership & Volunteering Programme. The team, selected from ISFA’s previous Leadership Camps, will bring together four of the brightest, most committed football leaders across the country.

The team will work with ISFA’s Football Development Officer to help plan and coordinate this year’s ISFA Football Futures Leadership Camp, taking place at Bradfield College from Saturday March 31st 2012 to Sunday April 1st 2012. They will also be tasked with helping to develop ISFA’s Football Futures programme and promoting Leadership and Volunteering and its benefits to other Independent School students.

The management team will consist of the following students:-

James Roberts (Bolton School)
Lucy Setterington (Repton School)
Nathan Evans (King’s School, Chester)
Flora Cohen (King’s College, Taunton).

The team met for the first time at Wembley Stadium on 25th October 2011.  The students will update this page with news of their experiences.

Meet the first ever ISFA Student Management Team!

‘Our aim is to leave a legacy in football by influencing others to have the same passion. We aim to have a positive impact on our game through spreading knowledge and providing new opportunities to students who feel that they have the potential to make a difference.’

Flora from King’s College, Taunton
Favourite Team: Yeovil Town FC

I got involved in leadership through my school.  I started getting really involved in football at school and got a lot more girls involved; I also go and do coaching at the junior school where I can really put into use what I learnt at the ISFA Leadership and Volunteering Camp. From being in the Student Management Team I would really like to improve my communication and leadership skills, which are very important skills to have whatever field you are interested in. 

James from Bolton School
Favourite Team: Bolton Wanderers FC

I got into leadership through my school, where after showing an interest in sport I was offered an opportunity by my sport teacher to go on the inaugural ISFA camp in 2010.

I help out with coaching sessions with younger age groups and I also represent ISFA and my school coaching primary schools from the neighbouring areas.

From being involved in the student management team, I would like to develop my communication and teamwork as well as my confidence. These skills will be useful and transferable in later life. Coupled with this, I want to have fun and try to make people aware of the different aspects and forms of the game of football and volunteering opportunities within it.

Nathan from King’s School, Chester
Favourite Team: Manchester United FC

I’m 17 years old and live in Chester. I was first introduced into leadership through a compulsory lesson in GCSE P.E. for the practical element of the course. This involved working with members of Everton’s academy teaching kids from Year 1-3. For me, this then developed into an extra-curricular activity rather than something which I had to do and I continued to progress. I have attended ISFA’s leadership camp as well as the FA’s National Camp and I’m hoping that through working with the Student Management Team that we can produce an enjoyable camp, which will benefit many young leaders and ensure that they are able to make a difference in their local communities.

Lucy from Repton School
Favourite Team: Hull City FC

Hello I am Lucy. I currently go to Repton School and am in my final year completing my A-Levels.  I first got into leadership through my teacher recommending me start out volunteering at my local football club. From there it developed into me attending the leadership camp in 2011 which encouraged me to gain further coaching qualifications.  Being part of the ISFA Student Management Team I hope to gain experience, knowledge and the confidence to be a good role model for young leaders.  

The First Meeting

Going into the day at Wembley I felt nervous as I didn’t know what to expect but as the day progressed the exercises we carried out were planning the camp and planning the sessions, pitching our camp ideas to the ‘dragons’ and ice-breaking  exercises. My favourite moment of the day was meeting the other student leaders but also planning the camp because all the student leaders had good ideas for the 2012 camp. 

Second Meeting (29th November)

I had been looking forward to going back to Wembley since previous meeting. Over the month and a half before the meeting I been thinking of ideas I could bring back to the group. After a bit of a panic on the tube, I arrived just on time. It was really nice to see the group again and catch up with them. We got started right away on ideas for how to get students involved in not only the camp but football leadership in the independent sector. It was great to give our ideas for this, particularly where girl’s football was concerned and to hear where football in independent schools was going. After lunch we started planning the opening ceremony. This was difficult but by the end of the day we had a plan of what we are all going to be doing. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day and I am looking forward to the next meeting. (Flora)

Third Meeting

I was looking forward very much to going down to Wembley for the third time. By now as a Student Management Team we have got to know each other well. When we arrived, we got straight down to business finishing off the opening ceremony and making amendments to the PowerPoint after hearing the other leaders ideas. After lunch, we started work on the closing ceremony and after discussion; we prepared our individual sections and began to rehearse. The closing ceremony is coming along nicely but we will have to add the finishing touches next time. I am looking forward to the next meeting in March.

For further information on how to get involved with the ISFA Leadership and Volunteering programme, please email Sean Smith at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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