Secondary School

November 29, 2013

WHO ARE YA? Steve Obertelli

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Steve Obertelli

1) Who are ya?

Steve Obertelli, Aged 28, Bolton.

2) Who do you support?

Bolton Wanderers FC (GM – Good lad!)

3) What was your first game?

Bolton Wanderers vs Tranmere Rovers, Sat 14 April 1990 at Burden Park, Result 1-1

4) What do you do for a job?

Community Football Development Manager & Academy Coach at Burnley FC.

Day to day role is to develop and deliver Community Football activities at schools in Burnley. Ranging from beginners football coaching for children aged 4-5 years through to Coach Education for children age 14-15 years.

I also work with the Academy as Lead Coach for the Under 11’s, this includes 3 coaching sessions per week and one matchday (Sunday).

5) Have you played/worked for any football clubs?

I had a similar role at Bolton Wanderers FC from 2001-2012, I also worked in the Academy for Rochdale AFC between August 2012-Jan 2013 before committing all my time to Burnley FC.

6) How did you get into it?

I went to Bolton Wanderers as part of my Secondary School work experience in 2000, volunteered my time in School holidays, and started there as a YT (Youth Trainee) in July 2001.

Played at North West Counties Level for local side Daisy Hill FC which included scoring an FA Cup Goal.

7) What do you get out of it?

Coaching is extremely rewarding, whether it be teaching a child for the very first time how to dribble with a football or seeing a boy I have coached in the past who is now a Scholar at Manchester United. Sharing my passion for the game with youngsters and seeing their enthusiasm is great!

8) What advice would you give someone wanting to follow in your stud marks/footsteps?

Work hard, never let anyone tell you something is unachievable, and always keep an open mind. Remember, ‘The mind is like a parachute, it only works when open’.

9) If you could do it all again what would you change?

I wouldn’t change a great deal as I have had some great experiences over the last 12-13 years through coaching in China, Hong Kong & Uganda, to being on a UEFA ‘B’ course with Denis Irwin. I have a lot of happy memories to date from working in football, especially as it started at the Club I support.

10) Who’s your footballing hero?

As a young BWFC fan it was Tony Philliskirk, then Super John McGinley. However growing up it was definitely . . . David Beckham.

The ability he had when playing was fantastic, the ability to play such accurate long passes was a joy to watch. Not only that but his constant hard work and drive to improve is a great example for any young aspiring footballer. All this along with the strength of character he showed after being a National Villain in 2008, and turning it around to becoming England Captain and sometimes dragging the National Side single handed through games (vs Greece at Old Trafford).

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