City of Westminster College students training as Arsenal in the Community coaches as part of their BTEC National Certificate in Sports were put through their paces recently at a Qigong workout with a Shaolin Monk Master.
Qigong is a 3,000-year-old discipline from China that helps to develop balance, co-ordination, power and calmness under pressure. It teaches a set of movements and correct breathing patterns designed to channel inner energy – Qi – around the body.
This was a fresh approach to “the beautiful game” for the coaches - more used to training with Arsenal Soccer School on the football field - but the two hour session with Shifu Shi Yanzi, Master of the Shaolin Temple UK in Tufnell Park, proved to be a real hit.
Head of Arsenal in the Community Alan Sefton said: “Our session with the Shaolin Monk was an eye-opener in terms of the techniques that are used and how they have potential within sport and more specifically, football. All of our gap year and trainee coaches really enjoyed themselves along with the rest of the Arsenal in the Community coaches and it is something we would definitely be keen on doing in the future.”
Omotayo Kosoko, City of Westminster College BTEC student and Arsenal in the Community trainee coach, said: “It was different, but you could see how it could be used in football. You have to be really flexible and calm to make the moves successfully. What I found most surprising is that it was a really cold day and yet I felt warm and relaxed while we were training. I’d definitely like to learn more about it.”
Arsenal in the Community students usually spend six hours a week learning new football drills from head coaches at the Club, which they then use in their own coaching sessions in local schools and estates.
City of Westminster College offers a BTEC National Certificate in Sport (Coaching, Development & Fitness) with Sports Coaching, Stadium & Event Industry qualification and, through their work with Arsenal Football Club, students gain valuable coaching skills and experience to use in their future careers.