I’d been coaching my local Sunday league side for four years while working in retail, and I’d just finished my UEFA C. I set up a job alert on Softfootball for academy coaching roles in Yorkshire and the U14 Lead Coach role at Northgate came through two weeks later.
I used the CV Builder to turn years of volunteering into something that looked professional – listing the sessions I planned, the players who moved up to academies, and my safeguarding and first aid certificates. The interview included a practical session, and I think the detail on my CV gave them confidence to invite me.
Six months in, I’m working towards my UEFA B with the club’s support. If you’re volunteering now, write down everything you do – it counts.