A true inspiration

MATT Poulter

IN the first of a series of features before the 2012 Olympics, we take a look at Oldham’s sports clubs and volunteers, who dedicate significant chunks of their time to the cause.
MATT Poulter is a vital cog in the Uppermill FC machine.

Dedicated to the development of grassroots football and the involvement of the club in the wider community, he is a player, coach, manager, committee member and IT organiser.

Matt began coaching at the age of 19 and has not looked back since. These days he dedicates around 20 hours a week to his various roles at Uppermill.

A true inspiration as a coach, many young players have worked under him and moved from the under-17s to the five open age sides that play on a Saturday.

Matt (28) said: “About 20 of us from the club went on a coaching course together and it has gone on from there.

“It is a very rewarding experience, especially when you teach youngsters something new in training and they implement it successfully in a match.

“The only slight downside is the stresses and strains of the administration stuff, like sorting out CRB checks and that kind of thing, but that comes with the job.

“But the other aspects of it make up for that. For example, I coached a bunch of 10-year-olds and years later I ended up playing alongside in the same team — and all of them were better then me!”

It’s not just about silky skills — Matt has always been keen to teach young people core values, such as respecting colleagues, opposition players, referees and managers. Good communication skills and punctuality are also high on the agenda.

Matt continues to push himself to improve, and holds an array of coaching qualifications.

He was also awarded the West Riding County FA’s Outstanding Contribution to Community Football award, and was highly commended in Oldham Sports Awards’ Sports Volunteer of the Year

category.

Matt helped Uppermill gain FA Charter Standard Club recognition in 2006, and establish themselves as West Riding FA’s flagship club in the area.

He leads training sessions three times a week as Head of Boys’ Football. This season alone he has established three new junior teams.

Wearing his School Liaison Officer hat, he has organised a number of mini-soccer tournaments and, in doing so, built up key partnerships with schools in Saddleworth.

A member of the Facilities Development team, he works tirelessly to secure funding for better facilities not just for the club, but Saddleworth’s sporting community.

Uppermill are looking for volunteers for the roles of coach and team manager, junior football administrator, first team physio.

Matt said: “Uppermill are not an elitist club. We think it is important to involve every young player who signs on, so they feel part of something.

“Also, everybody is willing to muck in to get the job done, which can be said about other clubs in the area, such as Heyside and 3D Dynamos for example.”




Call Matt on 07817 246863 for more information about how to get involved.






Anyone interested in getting involved in voluntary sport in Oldham can call Simon Tait, of Oldham Council’s youth sports development team, on (0161) 770 3050 or email simon.tait@oldham.gov.uk