Jobs4football meets Aidan Hawtin
This week we join Unlimited Member Aidan Hawtin for the Jobs4football meets interview.
From the pitch to the touchline, Aidan Hawtin’s journey in football is nothing short of inspiring. Forced to retire from playing at the tender age of 21 due to injury, Aidan didn’t let this setback define his future. Instead, he channelled his passion for the game into coaching, transforming his initial struggles into a driving force for success. Now, as a UEFA A candidate and coach at Northampton Town Academy, Aidan’s story is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and unyielding dedication.
In this exclusive interview, Aidan delves into his challenging transition from player to coach, recounting the hurdles of designing sessions and earning the respect of senior players. He shares insights from his early coaching experiences at Oxford United and Leicester Junior Foxes, and reflects on his impactful time with Banbury’s men’s team.
Aidan also provides a glimpse into his daily routine at Northampton Town Academy and outlines his ambitious plans for the future, including his pursuit of the UEFA PRO Licence and aspirations to manage at the highest levels of the senior game.
Join us as we explore the journey of a coach who turned a career-ending injury into a launchpad for new achievements in the highly competitive football industry.
Q: Aidan, can you describe your transition from playing to coaching? How did you initially find the shift from being a player to becoming a coach?
A: when I was forced into retired from football at 21 it was really difficult to transition as I felt nothing could replace that feeling of playing and I actually couldn’t coach because of it. Fast forward 8 years down the line and the buzz now is even greater than it was back then when I was playing, if anything now I’m even more motivated to be successful and make a name for myself.
Q: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced as you began your coaching career at such a young age after retiring from football due to injury?
A: I think one huge challenge was session designs and relevance. I was so used to turning up and taking part and only having to do as I was told, whereas now I needed to think of all types and styles of players and how I could get the best out of everyone in every session whilst getting the messages I wanted across successfully.
Q: Your coaching journey started at Oxford United and Leicester Junior Foxes. Can you tell us how these opportunities came about and what your early experiences were like?
A: As a scholar at Oxford United you were put through your level 2 coaching badge so using the academy was the easiest way to get some hours in. Even after we had finished we were encouraged to come along and help out and it was great to see the impact I had. Leicester came about through a family member and we operated all over Oxfordshire with boys and girls who were trying to get into professional academies. So I really got the best of both worlds early on coaching at grassroots and academy level.
Q: Transitioning into men’s football coaching with Banbury must have been a significant step. How did you find this transition, and what were the key challenges and positive aspects you encountered?
A: Banbury was my first taste of being in a senior changing room and being part of a coaching staff in a competitive aspect, however it was like I’d never left and I quickly settled in. I was only 26 at the time so there were older heads in the starting 11 than me at the time, however I quickly earned there respect with my input and it was welcomed at all times. Because of my age, my enthusiasm and ability to really connect and communicate with the players shone through instantly. Making it easy to get them to buy in to my ideas.
Q: Your personal motto is “Don’t tell me who you were, show me who you are.” Can you explain what this means to you and why it serves as a source of inspiration?
A: To me it says that we are all equal and working together to move forward as a team. Regardless of what you did last season or 5 years ago at what ever level. This stands for me too, I’m only as good as my last session and keeps me motivated to make my next session even better to be consistent.
Q: In your current role with Northampton Town Academy, what does a typical day look like for you? How do you approach your daily responsibilities and tasks?**
A: A typical day for me will involve plenty of planning and preparation for the evening session. Everything from warm up to S&C will be planned in advance so the session can flow and utilise the time well. I’ll also allocate tasks to certain players to start to get them core qualities out of them such as organisation.
Q: In terms of education and professional development, what is next on your radar? Are there any specific qualifications or skills you aim to achieve in the near future?
A: After achieving my UEFA A Licence with the English FA at the end of the year, I’ll be looking at developing my path back into the senior game with a view of becoming a manager at some point in the future. Once this has been achieved I will then look to pursue my UEFA PRO Licence.
Q: Looking ahead, what are your long-term career goals in coaching? What do you aspire to achieve in the coming years?
A: Long term I want to coach in the senior game at the highest level I possibly can get to. In the coming years I want to really develop as a coach and solidify my philosophy into a visual representation of a successful football team.
Aidan Hawtins journey from a young player to a dynamic coach highlights his resilience and passion for the game. Aidan’s innovative approach to coaching, ability to connect with players, and dedication to continuous growth make him a rising star in the coaching industry.
With his sights set firmly on achieving his UEFA PRO Licence and coaching at the highest levels, Aidan’s drive and vision are clear. We thank Aidan for sharing his story and insights, and we eagerly anticipate his future successes and contributions to the football world.