A conversation with SGS head men’s football coach, Steve Perkins
By Keeva Dunn, with photography from Fearne Manley
Head football coach at SGS, Steve Perkins, is one of the leading figures young players in the sporting academy look up to, and respect.
He has his brother to thank for getting him into the sport, who as brothers do, dragged him around everywhere he went, which ultimately led to Steve beginning his football journey at the age of only four, where he gained experience by playing older age groups.
Perkins never really got coached football when he was growing up, so getting shouted at for doing something wrong, had developed into the norm, which would make anyone feel a bit silly.
Though, he was only trying to experience what many people thought was a really good game and simply enjoy it. He stated that what was really the main reason for him getting into football was, “The love of being outside, just playing the game, and being part of a team.”
Due to the great history at SGS, and being part of a programme that coaches both male and female players, giving them fantastic opportunities, coaching here would end up being an offer that Steve simply couldn't turn down.
He stated: “I never really got coached when I was younger, so I always wanted to try to help people have a better experience than I got.”
When asked about his coaching career, Perkins talked us through the most memorable moment during his career so far.
An experience he says he’ll “never be able to replicate” is working with the under 19s Lionesses guiding them to victory against America for the very first time.
He was then put on all of the media duty, being interviewed in front of the camera for TV in Northern Ireland's home stadium.
Perkins has been through many experiences during his football journey, whether it's from his childhood, playing career, or coaching career, and along the way he has picked up life lessons, which he now passes down onto his team.
He uses his words and experiences to inspire the team's minds, as well as actions during games.
He believes that one of the most important things an aspiring sports player can do is to ask “why?”
For example, why are you picked? Why are you not picked? Or why are you doing sessions? Why are you not doing sessions?
By being curious, Perkins says you can ultimately have a deeper understanding of your own abilities and way you play the game, allowing you to develop and keep getting better at what you do.
The most important thing he describes is of course, loving the game, as a whole experience to suit you. “The moment you stop enjoying it, it's probably time to find a different environment, a different coach, or a different team,” he concludes.