Andrew Nicholas the Senior Coaching Manager for Liverpool Football Club International Academy visits to LFC International Academy SoCal
Andy Nicholas oversees all of the coaches from around the world and ensures that the Liverpool Curriculum is taught the same at every Academy around the world.
Andy Nicholas growing up signed with the club at the age of 10. He spent around 9-10 years playing for the club. He lived the “Liverpool Way” growing up and now he gets to teach it. He was taught all these things that he is now delivering and teaching new aspiring coaches. His background helps him be credible to those coaches because he was raised under the Liverpool fundamentals. It goes on to show the type of individuals they bring into the Liverpool Family. It’s more than just coaching. It’s being passionate about the sport and about the players and their families and engraving the Liverpool fundamentals, core values and continuing to live by them. Andy Nicholas goes on to say what most excites him about his role with Liverpool International Academy. Going to visit each Academy, even though it has been difficult in the past year due to Covid. He enjoys spending time at the Academy and seeing all the boys and girls in the Academy. Seeing and meeting the kids is probably by far the best because he is able to see how proud they are to be dressed in Liverpool gear. Even though they are thousands of miles from the club they still feel close because they are a part of “ the world’s greatest football family”.
“Coming to SoCal I was able to speak to staff and coaches and to talk to hundreds of the players and it’s fantastic to see everything behind the scenes and see how it’s getting delivered to all these players. It has a great impact on the kids and player development is a passion of mine but that’s a small part of why they love to play for the Official Liverpool International Academy. Everyone here should be very proud of what they are delivering on the pitch. I am also very proud to call SoCal one of our International Academies.” says Andy Nicholas
We asked Andy what his greatest challenges and barriers he faced when working with the Academies around the world. One of the biggest is the language barriers. There are no language barriers in the U.S. which make it a lot easier, but there are in Japan and Korea. The sessions are delivered in English, which is an attraction to most families. Because in other parts of the world English is not their first language they actually like that the children are learning about the LFC Core values and get taught in English that provides a better player development. They work with a team of translators and they take on the assistant coaching position to be able to translate it properly to the kids.
Advice that Andy gives to players “is to keep enjoying football and playing with a smile on your face. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, be a student of the game. Study, ask questions, be close to coaches. At our international academy we pride ourselves in having a great network and being there for our players on and off the pitch. Through our values we are trying to develop boys and girls more than just football. Becoming a better person, better communicator, creating lifelong friendships.
