Chris Panayiotou is the Global Technical Director for Rush Soccer, a worldwide soccer coaching network that has 50,000 players across the globe. Chris is originally from the UK and has been based in America for a number of years and has committed his coaching career to supporting other coaches within the Rush Community to improve and develop to provide the best possible experience for children in their programmes.
In this conversation we reflect on our learning from the 'Future of Coaching' conference which we both attended over the weekend and Chris also shares some valuable insights into his approach and methodology which has seen him named as one of the top coaches in America by the Positive Coaching Alliance.
Some highlights include:
Eliminating the word 'don't' from his vocabulary
The impact his 'super strength' boot bag had on players
How he has worked to engage the 55 Elementary schools in his local area and coached over 80,000 children
The act of noticing that saved one of his players lives!!
Enjoy
'The Rush Soccer Player' Chris's letter to parents outlining the mission statement of the club is available in the resources area of the site
Chris's Peom called 'Football Done' is below
Jason deVos likes a challenge! He also doesn't give up until he achieves his goals!! He is an object lesson in GRIT, Growth Mindset, Resilience...and all that stuff!!
Not only does he come back from being dropped by his provincial football team at age 12 to captain his country. He gives up a lucrative job as a TV pundit to become the Head of Football Development at Canada Soccer. This is a man who is committed to helping people succeed and he will do his level best to making Canadian Soccer the best it can be.
In this conversation we discuss...
What his Dad said to him on the long drive back from the trials where he was told he wasn't going to progress.
His blueprint for improving the environment for children in Canadian soccer clubs
How he want's to make the system in Canada more challenging for players rather than having a 'culture of entitlement'
His plans to change the coach development system in Canadian soccer.
My thoughts on how he could do some of these things.
I hope you enjoy.
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