What makes a good coach? Tottenham trainers Sabrina Dias, Nick Hardy discuss core values of a top coach

Sabrina Dias and Nick Hardy orchestrated grassroots sessions in Mumbai.

The thrilling ascent of Indian football, epitomised by the Indian National Team‘s brilliance, reflects the nation’s acknowledgment of the sport’s importance. A unanimous focus on grassroots improvement is pivotal for sustained growth. Embracing the beautiful game hinges on nurturing talent from the roots, securing a promising future for Indian football.Tottenham Hotspur, an European football giant, made a significant impact in India through their ‘Spurs in India’ campaign. Partnering with RFYS (Reliance Foundation Youth Sports), they orchestrated grassroots sessions in Mumbai, blending classroom insights with practical training. Sabrina Dias and Nick Hardy, respected development coaches from Tottenham, personally visited India for this initiative. 

In an exclusive interview with Khel Now, these coaches shared profound thoughts on the evolution of football in India:

Journey so far

Sabrina Dias herself was a part of Tottenham’s coach education programme before joining the club’s academy. When asked how has her journey been so far, she replied, “It’s been hell of a good journey. I started five years ago, where I was identified by Tottenham coaches. So I had some good values. I was very committed to already coaching before.”

She added, “I worked over a year to get experience of the club, shadowing other coaches, watching their sessions, getting notes down. I really enjoyed it. I have learnt so much from senior coaches and it’s got me to the spot around now, which is the head coach of the college programme.”

Inside the coach education workshop

The ‘Spurs in India’ campaign, in collaboration with RFYS, aims to enhance coaching standards. Nick Hardy elaborated on the initiative, emphasising the coach education workshops’ role in elevating football coaching in India.

He said, “It’s a perfect example of understanding differences on and off the pitch. So, we have a great opportunity to do these kinds of things all around the world. This is our first time to India, so we have done a lot of work to understand the life of the land, for the coaches, the club, getting a little bit of background on the programme, the relation between the club and organisation, the Reliance Foundation. It’s an opportunity for us to share.

“We spoke to the coaches, it being an opportunity for things going both ways. We tried to create a very informal environment, where they can share their experiences with us and vice versa. We try to have an open forum, where we can go back and forth across the coaches, share ideas, discuss thoughts, etc. And then a platform to give an insight on what we do at home,” the Spurs development coach highlighted.

Importance of coach education in India

Along with the development of players, it is also necessary to develop coaches at a high level. Nick shares, “Anywhere in the world, coach education or some sort of support mechanism to develop coaches, stretch coaches. It’s not dissimilar to how you work with players.”

“The opportunity and chance to stretch individuals, check and challenge, create an environment where it’s okay to practice, okay to bounce ideas off each other. Sabrina is a fantastic example of something we do, back at home. It’s a little bit of hard work, but it’s possible,” he added.

Sabrina also expressed her thoughts, “I think it’s very important. If we have got senior coaches that can help us develop, not just what we do on the pitch, but mentally and physically.”

Qualities needed for becoming a good coach

Becoming a proficient coach demands a blend of a plethora of skills forming the foundation for successful mentorship. Nick Hardy highlights, “I am not sure what the perfect qualities are. But, core values are very important in life.”

“In any job, in any industry, we talk about things like adaptability, approachability, willingness to learn, try and practice things, good listening qualities. The list is endless, but if I were to summarise all of those things then, it’s being open to opportunities and experience. You have to be open to the challenges and be willing to go and experience all the different coaching styles and football pyramids that are around the world,” he stressed.

Premier League assisting Indian football

The Premier League has been assisting Indian football via different campaigns and events like the Reliance Foundation Youth Sports, the Next Gen Cup and so on. Discussing the same, Nick Hardy informed, “A really good reflection of growth of football in India and the opportunity of the brands that you mentioned, particularly like the Premier League assisting in the engagement of football here. The opportunity for progression and education to ensure that the players and the coaches get the right introduction of football and the right support throughout the journey. With the support of all those programmes, more and more of that(fan following) will happen.”

Delayed youth football in India

Compared to the United Kingdom, in India, children start playing football at a later age. Sabrina Dias responded on how this delay can impact youth development and discussed strategies to change this scenario.

She said, “I can give an example of myself. I did start late as well. I wasn’t that early bird that started playing football at eight years old. It’s never a no. It’s also the commitment you put as a player. If you want to develop you have got to develop a bit more, chase the players that have started at early age. Get them playing football as much as they can. 

“If they only start playing football at 14, try and get them that basic start we did today and then progress them into the match, so that they get more and more game-time. Get all that stuff that we did on the pitch, the DNA, the practicals, the technical stuff and the 1v1 stuff. As much as they do that, they are going to get better,” she added.

Use of data analytics

The game of football is ever evolving, with tactics and strategies changing. Data analytics or stats has become one of the prominent aspects in this evolving landscape. Nick Hardy addressed how the coaches can take benefit of this and then pass it on to the youth players.

“We spoke to the coaches. The game is ever evolving and we go through fashion in terms of what’s important in any given time and I think, as those changes happen in the game, there’s an importance for all of those areas and again it goes back to the point about what makes a good coach. To be open and understand all these different aspects,” he said.

“The message we shared with the coaches, around those kinds of topics, was to introduce those bits at the right time to the young players, because they become quite immersed in those things. It’s important to not to blow the lines and introduce elements of the game that maybe don’t need to be part of their experience at that given time. If you have the right professional, it’s about knowing which department, which coach, which analysis, which sport science staff members can help you with those kinds of areas,” the Spurs coach emphasised.

Cultural Sensitivities in Indian football

In the realm of football, embracing diverse backgrounds is crucial. Nick sheds light on why exploring the role of cultural sensitivity in coach education is so important. He addressed, “Being here (in India) is the perfect example of the kind of inclusion, activity and diversity which is a big message that we drive at home.”

“Within the Premier League the message is really important, across the country is very important, but something as a club we hold very close to ourselves as professionals, it’s the most important thing. You are only as good as the people you have around you. With that comes the importance of understanding people from different backgrounds, different cultures, different lines of work.”

Sabrina compounded, “The fact that both me and Nick are here explains that females can also be coaches. We have got the space, they have got the space and we can both do the same job and get the right stuff done.”

First time experiencing India

On a personal note for both the coaches, this was the first time they both had been to India. Explaining their trip so far, Nick Hardy said, “For both of us, it’s our first time in India. It’s been a little bit of a whirlwind. But we have been welcomed with open arms, not just by the football community but everyone around. For me, it has been an incredible experience and opportunity so far – working with some brilliant players, brilliant coaches, great organisation and clubs. It has been an absolute privilege to be here.”

Sabrina Dias, expressing her feelings, said, “I have really enjoyed it. Working with the academy group was fantastic. Their work ethic is always there and they are willing to improve. It is fantastic as well.”

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