Elsewhere In Football #16
- Nov 9, 2025
- 3 min read
Trusting the Process: Opening Weekend of Our Grassroots League in Haldwani ⚽
The opening weekend of our Grassroots League here in Haldwani is complete — and it did not disappoint. Like anything new, there’s always a teething process, but I’m absolutely delighted with how we’ve coped.
Trusting the Process...
For the most part, our league runs like any other U10 setup across the world: we play 7v7, use rolling substitutions, no heading, and ensure defensive teams drop back into their own half during goal kicks.
Where we’ve made small but significant changes is in the coaching approach.
> Coaches are only allowed to give tactical information during three-minute coaching windows at the end of each period <
We introduced this rule for a few key reasons. The main one is to encourage players to discover the game for themselves — to find their own positions, act naturally as situations unfold, and, most importantly, make their own decisions in real time.
As you can imagine, during the opening weekend we had to remind coaches often about this rule. It’s completely natural — coaches want to coach. I understand that feeling because I’m one myself. But we keep coming back to the same principle: this is about education, not control.
You wouldn’t give a child the answers to an exam while they’re taking it — so why do that on the football pitch?
Managing the Sidelines....
It’s not just coaches who need reminding. Parents, too, get caught up in the emotions — and, like everywhere else in the world, they want their kids to win. To them, winning is everything.
But our message is simple: this is a community league built for children to play, learn, and love the game. The real winners will be the ones who enjoy themselves the most and can’t wait to come back next season.
A Lot of Talent on Show...
What really excited me this weekend was the plethora of talent already emerging here. In our weekly coaching sessions, we’d only identified a handful of players as potential future academy prospects. That was never a worry — but I’ll admit I breathed a small sigh of relief seeing how much natural ability was on display.
As a coach, that’s what keeps me going — spotting potential, recognising strengths, and imagining how each player might grow.
This weekend, I noted down six standout players, each with unique qualities:
Krish – a tiny midfield maestro I’d liken to Modrić. Always on the ball, making his team tick, and showing real creativity going forward.
Samaksh – a natural centre-forward who’s always in the right place to shoot, yet also confident enough to drop deep, beat players, and create for himself.
Rawat – captain of Birla, a true powerhouse, showing leadership well beyond his nine years.
Mankoti – a little genius with pace, power, and flair. Loves to drive at defenders and has an eye for goal.
Rathor – another creative forward, elusive in possession, with close control and dribbling that make him a nightmare to stop.
Vivan – my personal favourite. A tall, composed centre-back who reads the game brilliantly. Strong on the ball, leads by example, sniffs out danger, and — most importantly — encourages his teammates constantly.
A Really Positive Start....
Like any new project, there are things we can improve and adapt as we go. But the foundations are strong — the kids are having fun, parents are engaged, and coaches are open to learning new ways.
It’s early days, but if we stay true to our values and trust the process, I’ve no doubt this league will continue to grow into something truly special.
Onwards and upwards…
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