Soniapacecoaching

30/10/2026

I help others find clarity.
Sometimes I need space to find my own, too.

Between building my coaching business and working on the NXT Season podcast, I’m also figuring out my next steps.

Taking time out helps me clear my head, reflect and reconnect with what matters.

You don’t need everything worked out today. Give yourself a little breathing space. 🤍

What helps you reset?

28/10/2026

⚽ 𝐃𝐈𝐃 𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐓𝐀 𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐆? 𝐎𝐑 𝐃𝐈𝐃 𝐇𝐄 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐌𝐀𝐗 𝐍𝐄𝐄𝐃𝐄𝐃?

Everyone has an opinion on Mikel Arteta’s reaction to 16-year-old Max Dowman following his red card against Fleetwood Town.

Some believe he needed an arm around his shoulder. Others believe Arteta’s reaction was justified.

But I have a different question…

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐌𝐀𝐗 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭?

🧠 We ALL have different coping mechanisms.

Some need reassurance.
Some need space to process.
Others respond better to direct, honest feedback.

And what works for one person might not work for another.

Arteta has explained that their exchange related to something they’d discussed before the match.

So did he understand how Max copes with difficult situations? Was he responding to Max’s individual needs, or doing what he believed was right?

𝐖𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭.

A few seconds of footage doesn’t tell us everything.

At just 16, Max is still developing as a footballer AND as a person.

Mistakes happen. Emotions take over. But how we support someone through those moments matters.

💛 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐜𝐨𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭

As an independent Clarity Coach, my focus through Sonia Pace | NXT Season is on understanding the individual making the player.

Their personality. Their emotions. Their coping mechanisms. What THEY need to move forward.

Because supporting someone isn’t always about doing what WE think is right.

It’s about understanding what THEY need.

Put the individual first, so they can learn, grow and THRIVE.

On and off the pitch.

That’s what my clarity coaching and NXT Season podcast is about.

💬 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤? 𝐖𝐚𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐭𝐚 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠, 𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐣𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥?

⚽ Sonia Pace | NXT Season
Arsenal Fleetwood Town Football Club

📰 Source: Sky Sports, 28 October 2026

Sonia Pace | Football Clarity Coach

27/10/2026

At 9, Harry Kane was one of the SMALLEST players in his academy.

At 33, he’s a BALLON D’OR WINNER. 🏆

But his journey to the top was anything but straightforward.

⚽ Aged 9: Released by Arsenal, Kane later revealed he was one of the smallest players in the team and physically behind many of his teammates.

⚽ Aged 11: Initially turned down by Tottenham Hotspur after a six-week trial. A hat-trick against Spurs while playing for Watford changed everything.

⚽ Aged 14: A growth spurt saw him become one of the tallest players in his team.

⚽ 2011–2013: Four loan spells at Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich and Leicester before establishing himself at Tottenham.

🏆 26 October 2026: The FC Bayern and England football team captain is crowned the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner by Ballon d’Or.

73 goals for club and country in one season.

But here’s what really stands out to me.

How many young footballers are overlooked because they haven’t physically developed yet?

How many are labelled as not good enough before they’ve had time to grow?

Harry Kane’s story is a reminder that youth football development isn’t linear.

Talent matters. But so do opportunity, resilience, self-belief and the people supporting the person behind the player.

💬 Academy coaches, football parents and supporters: are we judging young players too early?

I’d genuinely love to hear your thoughts.

Follow for more real football stories about the person behind the player, beyond the pitch.

📚 Sources: Harry Kane’s own account published by England Football (28 July 2026); Tottenham Hotspur’s official career history; UEFA Ballon d’Or announcement (26 October 2026).

06/10/2026

01/10/2026

When your child doesn’t make the team.

The car ride home matters more than the result. What you say now can shape how they see themselves for a long time.

Let them be disappointed. Then help them see it clearly: one decision, one season, one door. Not a verdict on who they are.

Supporting a young player is hard. You don’t have to guess.

Parents: what do you say in the car home? Tell me below.⬇️

Follow Sonia Pace | Football Clarity Coach for more on mindset and performance.

claritycoaching footballparent grassrootsfootball football

29/09/2026

My Podcast cover. What do you think?

Follow to be kept up to date with who my guests are …

23/09/2026

Know someone that’s been dropped?

Making decisions has never been easier when you have independent safe space to speak.

If you know someone that’s been dropped I’m not sure what they’re doing. Share this with them and drop me a follow.

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