Jobs4Football meets Bryan De Vries
Jobs4Football spoke with Bryan de Vries, a Dutch coach based in China. Due to the restrictions on travel, Bryan has been stuck in Shanghai. I was eager to understand how a Dutch coach ended up in lockdown in China. Bryan is a motivated and persistent coach whom focuses on players growth. Bryan has also been putting on the football boots himself while in China, playing at semi pro level for Cejerdary FC.
“When I was coaching in the Netherlands I was approached by a company in December 2015, asking if I was interested in going to Beijing for a project. I was in Beijing for a month, I really liked it, but I had a contract back in the Netherlands to coach for the next year. In September 2016, I received a message on LinkedIn from Norman, who is the manager of Football Future, he saw that I was interested to work in Shanghai. Norman and I had talked numerous times over the phone, because the transition from coaching in the Netherlands to China is quite big. I went to China because it gave me the opportunity to work as a full-time football coach, I have been here for 5 years and have loved to coach in China.”
Bryan has certainly made a name for himself in China, working with the likes of YEPAK footballing academy and becoming Head Football Coach. Bryan has also played a big role in Women’s football by being the Head Coach for Shanghai Women’s team.
Bryan developed his passion for coaching through playing football during Sports Education in school and hasn’t changed his mind. “I got asked if I would like to coach Sunday morning by my mentor, who was the coach for Ajax U16’s at the time. I absolutely loved it from the moment I started, I helped through assisting the U7’s & U8’s at a football school by the age of 15. When I did my college degree, I was able to do my UEFA B and C license, and for my last 4 years in the Netherlands I coached in the highest division for ages 13 – 15.”
Bryan believes the coach should be a focal point to his team and a necessity to boost morale and perseverance. I was intrigued to know how Bryan coaches and what he wants to get out of the coaching role. “I let the players believe in themselves and I accept them as who they are. I believe that if you show confidence to the players, they themselves will gain confidence from the training ground and it will show on the pitch. It is essential to find out what the player wants to get out of the sport, you have to find that spark in them, it is amazing to see kids light up inside when they are enjoying what they want to do. I’d say I stand out from other coaches who might just want to win or host a nice football session, I try to develop the person behind the player because I think it is key as a coach.”
While being in lockdown, Bryan sourced Jobs4Football through LinkedIn and was able to get in contact with Nick. Bryan wasn’t sure if it was the right time to progress in his coaching career through the mentoring programme but was in need of advice and feedback on his career pathway. “After chatting, I got a good feeling, I thought this is something that can help me in a professional way, I have good intentions with the scheme and am excited to move forward. The next step is taking part in a professional organisation where I can develop myself again, I think it is the best way forward for me.”
I was intrigued to hear what Bryan expects from his future, Bryan was exuberant throughout the conversation I had with him and is ready to take the next step in his coaching career. “I would love to be coaching for the foreseeable future. I completed my UEFA B licence in the Netherlands and now I am looking for somewhere to be able to get my UEFA A but because of the restrictions in China I haven’t been able to leave the country, I would definitely consider moving to a different country once I am able to. I have been looking into possibilities of going to the Middle East, if I have the opportunity to go, I would.”
Being in lockdown was tough enough for all of us staying at home, making sure we were 2 metres apart, and who could forget the great toilet roll shortage of 2020. Motivation was low as the world had come to a halt, I wanted to know how Bryan can stay motivated whilst still living with serious restrictions. “I haven’t been able to coach for nearly 2 months but thankfully I have been keeping occupied through online courses. I try to stay motivated by watching football, reading a lot and studying coach, I have tried to keep the kids motivated by getting in contact online by hosting fitness and training sessions online but they will not be able to play until August. I try to keep myself busy and it is very important to keep a positive mindset throughout.”
Bryan will be based in Netherlands from 23rd May due to the lifting of restrictions in Bryan’s district in China. Bryan is open to work and would be an excellent addition to any coaching backroom staff with his energetic and calculated style.