Bio

My name is Louie Silvani.

I am a 24-year old football coach, currently living in London.  I spent four years at Southampton Solent University, completing a BA (Hons) Football Studies course and an MA in Youth Sport and Physical Education. I am currently coaching for a Category 3 academy in the Youth Development Phase, where I am currently fulfilling the role of Interim Phase Lead (U15-16).

While studying at university in Southampton, I worked for Chelsea Foundation for three years. In that time I delivered PE and school sport in primary schools, after school clubs, foundation development centres and soccer schools. For the 2017-18 season I also worked for Chelsea's academy coaching U6/7s in development centres in Havant and Eastleigh.

My additional coaching in Hampshire saw my in a head of coaching role at a grassroots football club whilst also managing Brockenhurst FC u18s and coaching with the development squad in the Wyvern Combination League. I have also done research for the Football Manager computer game series as a Level 9 researcher (Wessex Premier League).

In February 2016 I began in my role as 'Co-Chair' of Kick It Out's group for young people. You can see my profile HERE and the news article on our launch HERE. We are hoping to help advise Kick It Out on their work, engage young people in anti-discrimination and inclusion and improve ourselves as young leaders in football! With my role with ASPIRE coming to an end now I have also been accepted onto Kick It Out's gamechangers programme, further developing myself as a future leader in equality and diversity.

I also acted as a tester last summer for Kick It Out's online 'Equality and Diversity awareness course'. They posted my views on their website - http://www.kickitout.org/mentees-discuss-the-equality-and-diversity-awareness-award-course/

I began coaching at 14, helping my father with the teams in the football club he runs. This gave me the platform to begin developing my skills as a coach and developing my knowledge of the game we all know and love. From there on I have been through the many different experiences like any grassroots football coach. I am now also the Club Welfare Officer for this club.

I have previous blogging experience with 'WolvesViews' where I would regularly write about the ongoings and news at Wolverhampton Wanderers. From there, I was asked to give my views for the Observers 'Fans Verdict' in their sport section from time to time. This season, with Wolves in the Premier League I have been asked to do that again, you can see my previous season here

In general I hope to 'blog' on issues in grassroots football that others can relate to and join me in discussion about. I will look to post coaching sessions I come across and like, as well as other pressing topics of debate in football.

Me (right) with my brother after coaching at a festival