Cooper On Coaching Badges, Ambitions & More
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Dashun Cooper believes he is ready for the next step in his goalkeeping coaching journey in England after gaining his Uefa B License last week.
The Bermudian, who received his Uefa Goalkeeping B Licence in October last year, has gained plenty of part-time coaching experience since leaving the island in November 2021.
He joined Premier League side Crystal Palace as a goalkeeping coach at their Development Centre at Coombe Wood School in Croydon, London, in December last year, working with players aged 9 to 13.
The 29-year-old is also head of goalkeeping at non-league Hartley Wintney and the Independent Development Academy of Reading.
Cooper, who intends to obtain his Uefa A Licence and Uefa Goalkeeping A Licence through the Scottish Football Association, said he is eager to grasp any coaching opportunities that come his way.
“It’s going to be an interesting summer,” Cooper told Bernews. “I’ll see what roles are out there and throw my hat into the ring.
“I applied for academy coaching roles at Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur this season and had some encouraging feedback.
“Something will come, and I must be ready when the opportunity strikes. A lot can change quite quickly. I’ve had a couple of offers to play too.”
The former BAA and X-Roads goalkeeper experienced a challenging campaign at Hartley Wintney, who suffered relegation from the Southern League Premier Division South, the seventh tier of the English football pyramid.
Cooper is among a host of Bermudians who spent time at the Hampshire club this term, including Reece Jones, Ryan Lopes, Isaiah Blankendal, Rahzir Jones, Qaio Stewart, Paris Robinson, Dylan Arruda, Tyrone Burgess, Aaron Gardiner, Josh Dean and Noah Bothello.
He occasionally played as a goalkeeper for the under-23 side, helping them defeat Liphook United in the Mark Coombs Cup Final at the Recreation Ground, the home of Aldershot Town, this month.
“It’s been a massive learning curve for me this season,” said Cooper, who lives in Reading, about 40 miles west of London.
“I had to work with three managers throughout the season, so it’s been challenging. I had to make adjustments to make it work.”
Cooper also said he learned plenty from his time at the Crystal Palace Development Centre, part of the club’s Player Pathway, which feeds into the Academy.
“It’s been a great experience travelling to London twice a week and doing sessions,” added Cooper, who will hold summer training camps for goalkeepers at the Bermuda Athletic Association [BAA] this summer.
“There are similarities between the kids over here and back home. It’s just more diverse [in England]; different age groups and boys and girls.”
For more details on Cooper’s Summer Training Camp, email bdagoalkeeping@gmail.com.
