East and South East Asian Heritage Month takes place every September to celebrate the contributions of East and South East Asian communities.

To celebrate this, we are interviewing people in West Riding with East and South East Asian backgrounds to hear more about their grassroots football stories...

Name: Lawrence Lok

Currently Club: Wokingham and Embrook U7s

Previous Clubs: Bradford City, Farsley Celtic

Current Role With FA: National Coach Development Lead

Tell us about how and why you got involved in football?

I always grew up watching and playing football. It was always in the shop that I grew up in, soon as I got my jobs done, I was allowed to play with my friends on the streets. When I got to 16, I went to college and did a sports course. It was there where I got my first involvement in coaching, I ran coaching sessions all over Preston and loved it. The summer prior to university I went out the America coaching on a summer camp and loved meeting people from all over the world. When I got to university I continued to coach and started to volunteer as a coach at a local grassroots club. I continued to do my coaching qualifications and got a part time job coaching in local schools and communities. When I graduated, I went out to America for another 3 years and coached every day and loved my time there. I came back to England and continued to do my qualifications and moved into academy football at Bradford City, an FA Coach Mentor and Sports Development Officer for One in a Million. My role as a Coach Mentor allowed me to support coaches in the Grassroots space and allowed me to take that next step into coach education. Working as a sports development officer allowed me to put on provision in the Manningham area and allowed me to provide opportunities for communities in the borough.

I joined the FA full time in 2015 working in the teacher and education space where I was supporting Teachers and Coaches in education. I later joined the D&I Coach Development team in 2020 and continue to lead that team today. I see the power of sport and how it can provide opportunities and impact individuals, teams and communities.

What do you enjoy about your role within the FA?

I enjoy my role because every day is different, and I want to make a difference in supporting coaches and communities that we engage with.

What is your best memory of coaching and working in the FA?

I have had so many positive memories working for The FA. It is hard to pick one out. The ones which stand out are when you see coaches that have been on a course or CPD that I have delivered later in their journey. I always get a sense of achievement when I see them doing well. Whether it be getting a full-time role at a professional football club or still actively volunteering in the Grassroots space knowing that I have impacted their journey is a highlight for me.

What do you want to achieve in your role?

I want to help diversify the coaching workforce. I lead a brilliant team of coach developers who actively engage with different communities across England. Whether it be someone taking up a volunteering opportunity to coach in their community or someone aspiring to be a manager in the game. The team are working tremendously hard to help support coaches on a daily basis.

Who’s had the biggest influence in your career and why?

My biggest influence in my career is my family. I want to leave the game in a better than I found it. I want my children and their friends to enjoy football and grow up in society that is inclusive and welcoming. I feel football can play a huge part in that. There are still lots to do but hopefully the work I am doing is making a small difference each day.

What advice would you give to people wishing to get involved in football?

Start developing your support network today and do not be afraid to ask for help. There are lots and support out there through County FAs and The FA. Continue to give back to your community. I have recently started coaching my sons U7 team and love seeing the smile on their faces when they come to football each week.