Dedicated young volunteer, Kieran Henderson, consistently inspires others with his commitment to realising his dream of becoming a professional football coach.
Kieran (18), was diagnosed with autism at the age of three and faces different challenges day to day as he strives to progress his career.
After a two-day work placement at AFCCT through Northfield Academy, Kieran decided to volunteer to continue helping others while developing essential skills in coaching.
Approaching two years at AFCCT, Kieran has completed over 500 hours of volunteering and has pick up three awards including Junior Coach of the Year at the Aberdeen Sport Awards 2016.
In the same year, Kieran was named Sport Scotland’s Young Coach of the Year and received the Young Coach of the Year prize at the UK Sports Awards, which were hosted in London by Princess Anne.
In addition to these achievements, Kieran has also completed his 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 SFA coaching badges and has qualified as a community coach.
Kieran has a passion for engaging with and inspiring people of all ages and helping them to be the best football players they can be.
Kieran said: “Since I began volunteering with AFCCT I have become much more confident in speaking and working with other people.
“They have taught me invaluable life skills and meeting different people in each of the programmes makes me want to work harder to achieve higher coaching badges.”
The energy and enthusiasm that Kieran delivers each time he volunteers at AFCCT programmes is an inspiration to young people across the North-East.
He has completed Dementia Friends training, gives up his summer holidays to volunteer at AFCCT’s Soccer School holiday programme – where he works as part of a team to coach over 400 young people – and volunteers at the AFCCT Equity Centre – where he works with young people from the local Mosque, using football as an interactive way to support Aberdeen’s Muslim community.
David Smith, senior community projects officer at AFCCT, said: “Everyone at AFCCT is endlessly impressed and inspired by Kieran as he never once lets his autism affect him getting to where he wants to be.
“He has achieved so much through volunteering on a number of our programmes and we are excited to continue supporting him in achieving his goal of becoming a professional football coach.” Speaking about his aspirations for the future, Kieran highlights how AFC’s plans for a new stadium and community sports campus would provide not only him, but young people across the North east with countless opportunities to achieve their dreams.
Kieran added: “The plans for the new stadium make me so excited for my future of working with many different people and developing my career.
“The facilities would be amazing for AFCCT and everyone who volunteers with them as we will be able to deliver all of the programmes in one place with everything we need in order to give people the best experience.
“It looks absolutely amazing and it will provide opportunities for everyone.”
