Character: Alfonso

Hi Alfonso! You've been an assistant coach and physio in the women's game for five years in your native Spain. Before coming here to Pevantsea, you were assistant to Cam Brady-Stowe at Villarrica. What made you decide to make the move to England?

Oh Cam, for sure. We work together I think really well. I'm learning so much from her every day. Then of course to be in the top English women's league. In my opinion, it's the best in the world. More and more competitive every season.

There is so much opportunity for me to improve myself, working with the best players and with the support of the club for the resources.

Your expertise is unusual. You are a qualified physio as well as being a coach. How do you take advantage of that combination?

I think it's very helpful. I can help the players a lot and make the connection between how they move on the pitch and what muscles they need to make stronger. Also with the injuries. I understand when they can come back to play and still be safe.

I love to study the body, the way it moves, how it becomes stronger through healing. Really it makes you think of God’s work. How could something so complex, so unbelievable in the details of its design, even exist without a Power, a Being who creates it?

On the other hand, the knees! I don’t know. They are so vulnerable. Maybe He takes his eyes from the ball with the knees!

Ha! Ha! Unfortunately, we've seen in Spain some negative attitudes and behaviours towards players…

Oh it makes me so angry, so embarrassed really for football in my country but also many other places in the world.

How do you build trust with the players when that sort of thing is still going on?

I think it's so important to treat all people with respect. And to listen to players. Sometimes I see staff just talk down to them. I make it a prioity to earn their trust. Sometimes I wish they could have a little less trust! I’ve seen and heard some things that probably no man he should know about!

Hahaha! How are your family settling into life in England?

Well I have told them to be prepared for the weather in winter! No but seriously, they are getting used to the ways here. My wife she is a Spanish teacher for sports people so she is very good with the English. I am improving I think! Our two children are very young – 4 and 7 years. So they want to know where their granma and cousins are. We hope Sofia's sister will come to live with us soon.

How are you feeling about the upcoming season?

Very excited! We have come in, both Cam and myself, a little late with not much time to prepare for the season. But the girls are working very hard and are helping us to adjust as much as we are helping them.
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