Junior Coach Profile – Jordan Peipi

Jordan Peipi: 12th Grade – Old Boys Phoenix

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

My name is Jordan Peipi, I am 20 years old, born and raised in Gisborne (North Island)

I moved to Invercargill at the end of my high school years back in 2015 and I am currently studying full-time, working part time and playing for Old Boys Donald Gray Football team.

I played a wee bit of football over my schooling years back when i was in year 6 primary and made the Poverty Bay Under-18 team in year 8. I then went through with the football side of things throughout high school and luckily enough made the 1st XI squad in my first year of high school (year 9). So I’ve played ever since!

I’m currently an intern through our church (City Impact) and doing a diploma in Christian Ministry which i ended up following instead of finishing my Bachelor in Contemporary Music. I also run the Youth Team and out vocalist at our church so it’s quite full-on :).

What inspired you to become a coach? Is there a particular coach you look up to?

I did a bit of coaching for one season back in high school, i think the team were intermediate age so that experience kind of had an influence on my decision, and also i know a couple of the young fellas in this phoenix team so i just wanted to get involved really.

I’ve only had maybe 4 or 5 coaches throughout my football years, and they’ve all had a pretty good impact on the player i am now so I would say i look up to them all.

How long have you been coaching?

This is my first year taking it up officially for Old Boys. Only joined the team last season.

What is it like to be coached by you? How would others describe their experience playing for you?

I think it would be pure fun. I don’t expect much from players at this age, i just want them to get involved and enjoy the sport, then hopefully my coaching will impact them in a way that will make them pursue in a football career.

My goal is for every player to look back at their year and say, “That was fun, i wanna play again”.

What gives you the most satisfaction from coaching?

To be honest it would be; to see those players that aren’t comfortable or confident in themselves, that by the end of the season be the complete opposite. That is what satisfies me! Seeing players conquer their fears and weaknesses.

Will you continue to coach at this grade of have you plans to progress up through the grades?

I don’t think it would matter to be honest. Maybe if I was asked to go up I would, but I’m happy wherever

Do you see yourself coaching a senior team in the future?

Possibly, won’t say no if I was asked.

Tell us a little bit about your current team?

I haven’t met my team yet. Our competition doesn’t start for a few weeks..

How often do you train and what does a typical training session entail?

Refer above.

How do you communicate with your players and parents during the season?

I will use email to communicate with parents.

What will your teams “hang their hat on?” what will define your teams’ play? i.e if I was to watch your team play what should I expect?

I haven’t met the players yet, other than the ones i already know. But if i had already been coaching them, I would hope (if someone was to observe) that the team would be structured and ultimately look like a team.

What are the strengths of your team this year?

Not sure yet. I know the two boys I know are quite energetic and like to get stuck in, but other than that no idea.

What is/are your vision/goals for your team this year? How will you define success?

Success for me would be for every young kid to enjoy themselves and for them to come back next season.

What would be the highlight of playing in your program? What do you want kids to take from your program? – “The Purpose – Not The Goal”

If it was one thing that I would want the kids to take away; it would be to feel encouraged and leave better than when they first came.

Have you any message to parents or players who might question playing time or other coaching decision you will have to make throughout the year?

If i make a decision whether it’s to bring someone off or give a player a break it would be for a good reason. I believe in giving everyone a go and that’s cool at this age group and is definitely what I would be pushing for, because how can they grow if they aren’t playing right?

But at the same time I would like to see them progress in skill as well as every other area.

I’m not too hard and am pretty easy going, but if someone isn’t behaving or doesn’t have a team spirit (which I’m sure won’t be the case) then I will be taking pulling them off.

Final Thoughts? View of Old Boys AFC?

Just looking forward to coaching as well as playing for the club.

All in all awesome club! Glad to be a part of it.