Reon Abrams from Wolverhampton says the supportive environment of his football club prevented him from becoming involved in “the drama and nonsense on the road” as he was growing up.
Reon is now 23, but first joined Levelling the Playing Field’s specialist partners NPV Football Development at the age of 15. He found that football kept him focused – and he is now a qualified coach, guiding younger players from his own community on and off the pitch.
Following the example of his boss, NPV founder Joe Jackson, who has delivered community football in the area for 25 years, Reon mentors his players and plays the role of a ‘big brother’. He knows from his own experience how football and a dependable coach/mentor can play a big role in keeping youngsters out of trouble.
“Wolverhampton is quite a small city and you can get caught up negative things quite easily,” he says. “It’s best to stay with the right people, focus on positive activity, play football and not get involved in any of the nonsense that goes on on the roads.
“It’s easy to get caught up in a lot of drama. Focusing on any sport, not just football, can be really important in guiding you along the right path.”
Reon played for NPV’s under-15 team in his youth – and he now coaches the U10s at the organisation. Since 2016, he has also coached at NPV's Saturday morning community sessions and soccer camps during the school holidays.
“Back then, Joe saw that me and a few other kids loved football and could be influential for young kids coming up through the academy,” he remembers.
“It kept me off the roads – that was the most important thing. Realistically, if I wasn’t coaching, I would be dossing around with my friends. I started progressing, getting older and I’ve got my own team to look after and focus on now.
“It gives me something to think about each week, organising and developing the team and planning sessions. Perhaps if I wasn’t coaching, I would be somewhere else and probably not doing anything positive. The job makes me love football even more. I like seeing kids develop from something I’ve given them.
“When I talk to the players, I talk to them as friends. I was their age not so long ago and grew up in the same area and I do understand that it’s hard to focus on football. I’m like their big brother. I talk to them about school help them stay focused, do the right things and achieve their goals.”
For Reon, coaching is not about the results his under-15 team achieves on a Sunday morning. “Winning is just a bonus,” he says. “I’m here for their development. That has been drilled into me by Joe. You just want to see the advice you’re giving them be implemented.”
Reon gets enormous satisfaction from seeing his protegés flourish, with one recent incident highlighting this for him powerfully.
“Last Saturday, I was packing all the kit away and I saw a player I used to coach, who got scouted for Wolves and has now been there for a year and a half. He was driving past with his mum and dad, asked them to stop the car and got out to speak to me.
“We had a great conversation and it showed me he will never forget where he’s come from. He appreciated the help I gave him. He’s come back to watch a few of our games. An ex-player coming over to talk was so special and makes me realise the work I’ve done is worthwhile.”