Spotlight on Football
Recognising the importance of Football, in terms of its addition alongside our traditional and more established sports, Football is available for both boys and girls as a games option throughout Michaelmas and Lent term. Working towards a syllabus with students throughout Years 7 to 10, we focus more on match preparation, reacting, understanding and encouraging development from previous games with our senior students in Years 11 to 13.
Students also have access to a wealth of after School practice as well as lunchtime and/or after School clubs. Providing opportunities to play competitively against other Schools, students also play regularly with teams across the age groups entered into County, Regional and National competitions.
With links with Framlingham Town Football Club as well as Woodbridge Woodpeckers, we continue to forge future relationships that can grow and develop over time, providing further opportunities for play, development and competition for our students. We also have links with professional clubs, which enables us to offer training games and watch and be part of training sessions, which is of huge benefit to our students.
The Football programme in School is led by coaches with previous pro game academy experience and expertise; they provide inspiration, education and motivation for our students, ensuring every student becomes the best they can be, and that the School is represented with successful competitive teams.
Encouraging students to have an open mind and ask questions, Jonny believes the School environment helps to set this standard. Complimented by additional one-to-one sessions, strength and conditioning, and mentor sessions for students on our performance programme where individual development plans are provided throughout the year as well as mentor, our young players are guided and supported in achieving their individual goals.
Jonny Klug, Head of Football
Having previously worked in recruitment and coaching within pro club academies for many years, Jonny has experience coaching youth football – both in UK schools and clubs as well as overseas most recently in Australia. Jonny is an UEFA B Licenced coach, who has also achieved this Talent ID Level 2 as well as a number of Youth Awards in Football. With a heavy focus on development and supporting students to become the best they can be, he’s also keen to ensure he does all he can to help them develop a competitive edge.
Having been lucky enough to have been surrounded by great coaches himself, he shared,
“The vast experience I’ve benefited from, through the amazing coaches I’ve come into contact with and learned from in the past, particularly when I worked at Ipswich Town, means I completely understand and appreciate the importance of the role I’m playing in these young players’ lives – and I’m privileged to be part of their Football journey.”
Having had a passion for Football and been around and playing the game as long as he can remember, Jonny shared,
“I firmly believe that playing sport helps young people to develop life skills alongside their play skills. From learning the fundamental importance of hard work, planning and problem solving, to discovering how vital teamwork is and that these skills all transfer into other parts of life, it’s far more than just kicking a ball around and trying to score goals!”
He continued,
“Sport also has a pivotal role to play in supporting mental health, through the development and strengthening of mentality. Sport is such a positive activity, and there’s a lot of enjoyment and happiness to be had too – which is absolutely just as important as developing any other skills.”
You can read more about Football at Woodbridge School at woodbridgeschool.org.uk/sport/football/.
