Former Colchester United player Louis Dunne is developing from strength to strength as part of the Colchester United Football in the Community Team, leading on community programmes that help to inspire young people.
Louis now leads on the Football College Programme based at Thurstable School & Sixth Form in Tiptree, is a Lead Coach on Colchester United Football in the Community Development Centre Programme and is a member of the Sport & Education Delivery Team out there supporting Primary Schools within the National Curriculum.
Following Louis’ departure from Colchester United following seven first team appearances, a move to Chelmsford City materialised with Louis’ a regular starter in the 2021/22 season in the National League South side’s line up. A full time role within Colchester United FITC's Community Team is successfully balanced alongside his playing commitments allowing Louis to make an impact on and off the pitch!
Each day Louis can be found on the playgrounds and fields of local schools delivering curriculum projects to children. Each afternoon he is coaching students on the training pitch at Thurstable School delivering a full time football and educational support programme to the students in the squad.
Josh a player part of the Football College Programme Squad shared; “I think it’s great how Louis has been able to implement what he learnt at a professional level into his coaching and style of play as a coach. Most importantly how he supports and challenges us, helping us develop on the pitch, in the classroom and as better people off the pitch.”
Mr Seventies PE Teacher at Thurstable School & Sixth Form detailed the impact Louis has had already on the students on the Football College Programme; “Since Louis has worked with us he has held high standards with students both on and off the pitch. Training sessions are purposeful and engaging for the players and it is obvious to see the planning and preparation that Louis puts into sessions to positively impact the players development. Louis has also supported players off the pitch and makes sure that he not only develops students as players but also as young men!”
Louis explained how his first year full time coaching alongside playing has impacted him; “Being able to lead programmes and plan, deliver and review the impact I have on young people has been valuable and very rewarding for me. Coaching day in day out working with young children and early adults within football and in schools has allowed me to enhance my coaching and teaching skills. It has also enabled me to become more confident and allowed me to share my experiences with others to help inspire them and support them in maximising their football and sports potential, but more importantly their potential as better people. I’m loving my time playing week in week out at Chelmsford City, the competitive nature of the league I play in I enjoy and it is supporting me on becoming a better player. I love the balance alongside my full time work coaching with Colchester United Football in the Community and I’m very excited for 2022 and the impact I can have on the people I work with and on the pitch with Chelmsford City.”
Look out for Louis in the midfield at Chelmsford City over the season and out and about with Colchester United Football in the Community!
For details on the programmes and projects Colchester United Football in the Community deliver please visit - https://www.cu-fc.com/fitc/, to book activities please visit https://colchester-united-fitc.class4kids.co.uk or contact us on fitc@colchesterunited.net / 01206 755 160