Jun 29, 2026 · 42 min · 14 segments
Our guest on the podcast this month is Amy Kay. Amy is a well established and respected figure in Youth Development, currently working as the Lead Foundation Phase Coach at Brighton & Hove Albion…
Aimee KayGuest
Paul BarryHost
Um, so it goes back to why we play and, like, when I was younger, playing with my s- um, with my brother, my family, friends on the street.
Um, you used to have the rule, didn't you, when the l- when the lights come on is when you have to go in.
And then as it went through the ages, so girls football started a little bit later when I was younger, so my brother was in the team first, and then I'd be watching him quite a lot.
And now, like, I'm fortunate enough that I get the same buzz that I got when I was playing when I'm coaching.
Um, yeah, like, for me, like, anyone can play, so that feeling of belonging, yeah, football gave me it.
Would you say the bulk of your experience up to this point has been working with the younger players, Aimee?
But yeah, like, my, my degree, my, like, basic of my knowledge has come from, like, coaching the, the little ones, so-
So how would you, if you had to describe the foundation phase, you know, to, to summarize not just your experiences, but sort of what onlookers would see when they're watching training and, and a match day environment with the youngest age groups, how would you really sort of, uh, consolidate what that actually entails, and what the kids are all about in the foundation phase age groups?
Yeah, so, like, I, I am biased, by the way, so you will get a very biased op- opinion on this.
[laughs] So, like, for me, the foundation phase, it's the beginning of a player's journey.
Um, I wouldn't define it by age groups, 'cause I think, like, for some it can vary.
Um, I'd just say it's a space where players, they first learn to love the game, and learn the foundations of what then will follow them through their journey.
So for you as an example, often a player you'll see on the telly, their strengths and what they're doing, they were doing at eight and nine, it just looked a lot messier.
Um, so it goes back to why we play and, like, when I was younger, playing with my s- um, with my brother, my family, friends on the street.
Um, you used to have the rule, didn't you, when the l- when the lights come on is when you have to go in.
And then as it went through the ages, so girls football started a little bit later when I was younger, so my brother was in the team first, and then I'd be watching him quite a lot.
And now, like, I'm fortunate enough that I get the same buzz that I got when I was playing when I'm coaching.
Um, yeah, like, for me, like, anyone can play, so that feeling of belonging, yeah, football gave me it.
Would you say the bulk of your experience up to this point has been working with the younger players, Aimee?
But yeah, like, my, my degree, my, like, basic of my knowledge has come from, like, coaching the, the little ones, so-
So how would you, if you had to describe the foundation phase, you know, to, to summarize not just your experiences, but sort of what onlookers would see when they're watching training and, and a match day environment with the youngest age groups, how would you really sort of, uh, consolidate what that actually entails, and what the kids are all about in the foundation phase age groups?
Yeah, so, like, I, I am biased, by the way, so you will get a very biased op- opinion on this.
[laughs] So, like, for me, the foundation phase, it's the beginning of a player's journey.
Um, I wouldn't define it by age groups, 'cause I think, like, for some it can vary.
Um, I'd just say it's a space where players, they first learn to love the game, and learn the foundations of what then will follow them through their journey.
So for you as an example, often a player you'll see on the telly, their strengths and what they're doing, they were doing at eight and nine, it just looked a lot messier.
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