Nick Levett on talent development Have you ever found yourself stood along side parents or coaches shouting and barking instructions to their child? Or have you ever found yourself bursting out with commands or subtly taking your child aside to say, “Just do this”. If we have done this or seen this or felt the urge to help but done so in a clumsy way – then we’ve been an influence (perhaps not positive) on a child’s interest in not only sport but on their willingness to try. This week’s guest is Nick Levett, Head of Coaching at UK Coaching an expert in talent development. Nick has had a fascinating career coaching in schools in socially and economically deprived areas, working to develop the paths of young talent in the largest governing body in the UK – the Football Association and now a broader remit to develop coaching across the sporting landscape  Nick’s insights are edifying, that is they compel us to take a moment to reflect and learn how morally, ethically and intellectually how we support and develop others, not just aspiring young sports people, but the lessons apply to our wider influence to the people around us. Show notes Playing football at university (oh and studying for a degree) Strategic planning of modules for the best outcome rather than subject interest Working in a challenging school, Learning ‘how to communicate’ Working in the FA for 14 years Child centred work drives Nick’s ethos Student aspirations, how much do I know these kids as individuals? The coaching tension between the traditional FA coaching methods and real life experience Nick’s development of the national coaching programme Rod Thorpe teaching games for understanding (TGFU) How do you know that kid wasn’t about to work it out for themselves? Taking inspiration from Iceland and project based learning Doing things that are inherently enjoyable  What has been good during coaching amidst COVID-19 and what have learned that will be beneficial for the future? Always start with the person Academies and pathways should be teaching kids skills that are going to serve them for life Manchester United think about the people first rand the values and rights of the child What are the values of children when they play sport What’s more important, winning trophies and medals or hardest is more important to me Coaching horizons, what would Nik like to see explored over the next decade?   Links Nick's blog http://riversofthinking.com/ Nick on Twitter https://twitter.com/nlevett A reminder to all those people looking to get ahead in these challenging times of our upcoming membership starting on 29th June 2020 – take a look at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/membership/ Supporting Champions on Twitter www.twitter.com/support_champs Steve Ingham on Twitter www.twitter.com/ingham_steve Supporting Champions on Linkedin, www.linkedin.com/company/supporting-champions   If you’re looking for some coaching support or some virtual team development help to support you to get to the next level in work, life or sport then take a look at https://supportingchampions.co.uk/coaching-mentoring/ or drop us a note at [email protected] then you can sign up for a free consultation to explore which package is right for you.