Meet the coaches: Shannon King

*Our new girls' u9s squad with coach Shannon.*

Our brand new u9 Girls team are just starting out on their football journey, and they have a coach taking her first steps into coaching too! But Shannon has an impressive background as a player, and is hoping to pass on her love of the game to her new squad.

Hi Shannon, tell us what got you into football coaching…

With my experience of football I want to encourage young girls to follow their dreams and never give up. Over the past few years girls’ and womens’ football has grown massively. I want to help young girls to enjoy playing and hopefully become future Lionesses! Every time I coach my team I love every single minute of it!

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?

When I was young I would never throw the ball back to my parents, I would always kick it back, so they decided to find me a team. So at the age of 4, I started playing with a boys’ team at Tyler Hill FC. Ever since then I’ve never stopped playing! I played with boys’ teams for many years, until I was about 13 when I decided to join a girls’ team. Over the years I have played for many different clubs and have represented Kent. I’ve also had trials at Gillingham and Arsenal, but unfortunately, I didn’t quite manage to get signed by them. I was disappointed but my representing my county was something I was very proud of! I am now playing at semi-pro level for Margate Women and I’ve been with the squad for many years now. I’ve got no plans at the moment to stop playing because football is my life. Without football, I don’t know who I would be!

What team do you support and why?

I’m a Chelsea supporter because my grandad supports them but my little sister is trying to get me to convert to Arsenal!

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

Rachel Yankey.

What’s surprised you most about the experience of being a football coach?

The amount of girls that want to play football. Each year there are more and more girls wanting to get involved.

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

The biggest challenge in coaching girls who are brand new to playing in a team is getting them to understand formations and getting them to focus during training and in matches. The most rewarding thing is that no matter if we lose, there are always improvements and every small improvement is an achievement!

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

When my team scored their first-ever goals! The way they celebrate as a team is so amazing!

What do you like about Canterbury Eagles?

From the moment I started coaching, I’ve had so much support and help from the chairs of the club, from other coaches and from the parents. If I hadn’t had that amount of support I don’t think I would have been able to do it. Canterbury Eagles is an amazing club to be coaching with and I’m so happy to be part of it!

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

I could write a long list because so many people have helped me out, but I think it’s got to be Jo who has helped me the most so far. I have messaged her for advice on things so many times and she has always been there to help me. She even brought a couple of books to my house to give me ideas for different activities I can do in training, and advice on being a first-time coach!

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

It can be stressful and hard work but it’s the best thing you will do. It opens up a whole new chapter in your life! If coaching is something you want to do then go for it. Follow your dreams and never give up on them!

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

To be honest I’m not sure, because every year there are changes to grassroots football. Grassroots football is very different to when I started out. Maybe ask me in a years time I might have an answer!

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

Developing their football careers. It’s very early stages, but as the months go by I’m hoping that the girls with develop their skills and techniques. Most importantly, I want them to enjoy every minute they spend on the pitch!