The CleatBeat Project - Episode 21 - An Interview with William Lee - Sports Connect UK

Описание: The CleatBeat Project - Episode 21 - An Interview with William Lee - Sports Connect UK
In this episode, we sit down with William, a forward-thinking sports educator and coach developer who is using football as a force for lasting social impact. As Director of Sports Connect UK, William shares his journey across grassroots football, further education, elite performance analysis, and coach education, alongside his mission to create inclusive pathways for coaches and young people from all backgrounds.

He discusses leadership, coach development, restorative practice, and how sport can drive employability, wellbeing, and safer communities. A powerful conversation on purpose-led coaching, progressive pathways, and football’s potential to change lives on and off the pitch.

About William Lee
Director - Sports Connect UK

William is an experienced and forward-thinking sports educator and coach developer, dedicated to using the power of sport to transform lives and communities. As Director of Sports Connect UK, he leads a thriving social enterprise delivering high-impact education and community sport programmes across Kent and beyond, with a strong focus on inclusion, employability, and youth leadership.

With a BSc in Sports Science with Professional Football Coaching, William holds a UEFA B Licence (FA Level 3), QTLS, ILM Level 5 and multiple specialist qualifications. His career spans over 15 years across further education, grassroots football, and coach education – from teaching and mentoring in colleges to tutoring UEFA C candidates with The FA.

William’s passion lies in developing coaches and creating clear, progressive pathways that support individuals from all backgrounds to succeed both on and off the pitch. His work has included roles as a teacher coach, FA coach mentor, and performance analyst with a Premier League first team, where his research directly informed elite coaching strategies.

He also brings national experience as a Quality Reviewer ensuring the highest quality of education and training provision.

With thousands of coaches worldwide tuning in to his recent podcast interview, William is proud to share insights, frameworks, and stories that inspire others to lead with purpose, coach with clarity, and use football as a lifelong force for good.

About Sports Connect UK

Sports Connect is an accredited education provider and community interest company based in Kent, UK. Their  mission is to create inclusive, purposeful, and life-changing opportunities through sport, education, health, and restorative practice. Operating across Kent, the Southeast, and beyond, the organisation supports young people and adults—particularly those facing disadvantage—by combining sport with high-quality education, mentoring, and employment pathways.

From its award-winning CALM Club to its three-stage coach development pathway for jobseekers, Sports Connect champions progress over performance and inclusion over exclusion. For aspiring coaches worldwide, it offers a powerful model of how football and education can drive real, lasting change.

Connect with William
On LinkedIn:   / william-lee-89067376  
On X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/Wi11iam1ee
On Instagram:   / wi11iam1ee  

Connect with Sports Connect
On Facebook:   / sportsconnectuk  
On X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/sportsconnectUK
On Instagram:   / sportsconnectuk  
On LinkedIn:   / sportsconnectuk  

About the CleatBeat Project
The CleatBeat Project is one of the world's largest youth football communities with over 77,000 members from over 100-countries. The project aims to highlight the work, achievements and experiences of some of the most prominent and effective individuals from youth football.

Our members serve different roles in the industry - ranging from players, coaches, scouts and agents to lawyers, medical professionals, software & app developers, and beyond. Almost every single role in the industry is represented on the CleatBeat Project community so come be a part of this global revolution that's changing the world of football as we know it.

Follow us on LinkedIn:   / 4390097  

Subscribe to our YouTube channel:    / @thecleatbeatproject  

Visit our Website: https://www.thecleatbeat.com/

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