In the ever-evolving world of football, the role of a coach is becoming increasingly complex and multifaceted. Today, we sit down with Ranieal Rozhan, a young and dynamic coach who is making waves in the football community with his innovative approach and deep understanding of the game. From his personal journey as a player to his current role at The Tekkers Club and with the SpiceGals, Raniel shares his insights, challenges, and aspirations. Join us as we delve into his coaching philosophy, the importance of adaptability, and his vision for the future of football coaching.
What does being a coach mean to you?
For me, to be a coach is to be adaptable. Some players need you to be a teacher who guides them through all the small details from A-Z, while some players may need a mentor to motivate them and push them when their voice isn't something they listen to. Everyone is different, and thus everyone needs different things. It is what is so difficult about coaching but it is also a privilege to be in the position to learn how to create relationships with different personalities to impact their lives as best as possible.
How much has your life experience and upbringing played a part in shaping the type of coach you are today?
The Coach I am today is the coach I wish I had during the pubescent stage of my career. To be honest, I needed a lot of guidance, probably more than other players at my age. I was given feedback but never the solution. I needed a mentor to really help me dissect the weaker areas in my game, which I think is why I am really big on visual learning (Using Video Analysis Especially) and also on breaking down every action to its core components. The small details can sometimes make the biggest difference
Was coaching always something you envisioned yourself doing?
Not really! I wanted to play football professionally but made the decision early on that perhaps I wasn’t quite cut out for it. To play at the highest level you needed to be 110% in and mentally I didn’t think I was. However, I’ve always been an inquisitive player and through my pursuit of attaining that goal, I picked up some necessary traits which forged me into the coach that I am today.
Can you tell us more about TheTekkersClub?
The Tekkers Club is what I describe as a Training Club. We mainly work with social league players through our 1 on 1 sessions which we thoroughly enjoy as we help them get prepped for their weekend social fixtures while at the same time, and my partners Coach Stuart Wark & Mathias Mansor take care of various Social, Office and Semi-Pro/Professional Teams.
As a player growing up - I spent a lot of time doing individual extra work outside of team training and figuring out how to improve my game on my own, and that is what inspired me to start The Tekkers Club. We are driven by our moto +1% and it is the belief that one small step every day will give you exponential returns compared to inconsistent periods of motivation. Habits and Systems, All Day, Every Day.
What are your goals for the remainder of 2024?
Same as every year. To try my best to help create a positive and lasting impact on player’s performances and lives.
How did you become involved with the SpiceGals coaching team?
Throughout 2023, I had the opportunity to work together with Jaciah Jumilis & Alisa Wilkinson as they trained with us over at TTC in preparation for their FAS WSL 2023 Campaign, LWN as well as JJ’s National Team Campaigns. Then earlier this year they approached me and my coaches at TTC to take over as the coaching staff for SpiceGals and once we came to an agreement we got straight into work!
What challenges and differences have you noticed while coaching women's football?
Based on the conversations I’ve had and things that I've seen, only in recent years has there been a steady growth in the number and quality of platforms for girls & women to compete, train and play. Thus, many of the players who I worked with did not get the same football education as well as the opportunity to play and train competitively when compared to boys. Especially at the ages of 10 - 16, it is crucial for any player's development!
Nevertheless, It is a privilege for me to be in the position to play my part in educating and providing the girls the things that they didn’t get to receive at a younger age. Seeing their growth and showing them the potential that they have has been one of the most rewarding experiences that I've encountered thus far in my coaching career.
How far do you believe SpiceGals can go, and what do you hope to achieve with the team?
My main goal when I came into the team and still is now, is to develop a culture and identity based on our game model. The model itself demands a lot from the players from every aspect and trust me it has been, and still is, a struggle, but I can feel things starting to click. Based on what I’ve seen with the team, as well as from the rest of the league - there is only one thing that we are aiming for and I don’t think I need to mention what that is.
What changes would you like to see in the women's game?
Same as what I would like to see in the Malaysian Football industry as a whole. Connect with the people and cultivate a stronger football culture. Platforms for players to study and play with a clear pathway to professional football. Improve infrastructure nationwide to allow for more teams, academies and players to play and train.
As a young coach, what are some key challenges you've faced in the early stages of your coaching career, and how have you overcome them?
I think of course being a young coach, without coming from a professional playing background there will naturally be a doubt that comes with it, and fair enough. However, I am confident with the work I have put in and am continuously putting in to develop my craft that I can fulfill the opportunities that I am being presented. For me, the most important thing is to ensure that my ideas,values & beliefs align with what the club needs in that given period and with a clear communication of how my service will help them achieve that, I believe that is what has allowed me to be so fortunate to work with people who are willing to put their trust in me and my coaching team.
What are your plans for continuous professional development as a coach? Are there any specific areas or skills you're focused on improving?
This year i'll be delving into a new challenge with a team in Liga A1 Semi-pro (formally known as m3) and I'm sure the experience will naturally expose areas of my craft in which I need to improve. Nevertheless, I know it will also be a place where I’ll be able to learn a lot, especially with so many experienced coaches and players in the team and I am looking forward to growing as much as I can this year with them
In your opinion, what role does mentorship play in the development of young coaches?
I think it plays a tremendous value, but it is vital to learn from the right mentors. It is always a subjective topic as to what defines one as a ‘good coach’ but for me, it can perhaps be more easily defined by asking three questions
- Does the Coach have a Game Philosophy? Whether it be the clubs or his own, If the answer is yes, I know that every training session, training drill and game will be designed and managed by achieving that particular philosophy. Without it - I have seen coaches become reactive and change their ideas from game to game and session to session which is damaging to a player’s development
- Are they able to communicate that to their players? A coach can have all the ideas in the world but the most important is the delivery to the players. Not only communicating but ensuring that the players comprehend what they are saying. The best ideas in the world hold 0 value if you aren't able to communicate them, and with a good coaching eye you can easily identify the players who understand, and the players who still need help capturing the idea.
Everyone learns differently and so this is where the adaptability part comes in
- Can they manipulate behavior? It has always been said that the mental side of the game is extremely important. But I would have never understood it to the extent that I do now if it wasn't for coaching. This can be as broad as developing competitive players who use pressure to their advantage to perform, or even something as specific as developing a team to counter-press right after losing possession. Manipulating behavior can be done in various ways, whether it be through training constraints or personal talks 1 on 1 with players. The best coaches that I've learned from do this the best.
With his dedication to continuous improvement and a clear vision for the future, Ranieal Rozhan is set to make a lasting impact on Malaysian football, one player at a time.