Cam Foulkes said he fell in love with coaching after “giving it a go” following his release from Rovers Academy at U18s level.
The 20-year-old has recently completed his UEFA A licence and believes the course has made him consider a career in coaching more seriously.
“The thing that really started my passion for coaching was just going along and giving it a go,” he said.
“It came about because I wasn’t a full-time footballer anymore and I needed to make some money so I gave it a go and I just fell in love with it.
“My most recent memories of training were from the professional development phase so the U18s – and that is all quite serious. So that’s what I thought it was going to be like, and I thought I’d have to be even more serious.
“But these are 10 and 11 year-old kids who just love playing football.”
As well as impressive players on the pitch, Rovers Academy aims to create impressive young men off it and Cam believes that the off-field activities are just as important as training and matches.
“I’m a big believer that the stuff off the pitch gets the Academy players more affiliated with the club and gets them invested in what they’re doing,” he added.
“That hamper packing at Christmas, for example, was great because – not only was it a great cause to be part of – but it was also a good experience for them.
“The other day I heard one of the players saying “do you remember when we did that Christmas thing” and it sounds silly but it gives them those memories together but it builds that camaraderie in the team.”