Meet Our Male Football Development Officer: Pedro Viveiros
As Hampshire FA's Play On Leagues prepare for a new season kicking off in January 2022, we caught up with the staff member behind them, Pedro Viveiros (Male Football Development Officer), for a quick Q&A to discuss his role with Hampshire FA and the projects he's involved in…
Tell us a bit about yourself...
My name is Pedro, I am 27 years old and I live in Southampton with my girlfriend and cat. Alongside my role at HFA, I am also a first team coach at Hedge End Rangers FC, I am currently studying a Masters in Sports Management (Part-Time) at Solent University and I deliver on Saints Foundation’s Premier League Kicks Programme.
How did you get into your role with Hampshire FA?
Whilst at university, I was on Hampshire FA’s Young Persons Forum for 2 seasons. I was a project officer and then Vice-Chair of the group. As part of this role, I supported a number of events focussed on supporting Adult Male Football, so when the Adult Male Football Development Officer role was created I knew this was something I had to apply for!
What is your role with Hampshire FA and what does it entail?
My job role is Male Football Development Officer. Since joining HFA my role has changed slightly; I am now responsible for the whole Male Pathway within Hampshire (from Under 5’s to Over 50's) rather than just Adult Male Football. Most of my work is focussed around participation projects which looks at increasing the number of male players playing football within Hampshire. Projects include Play On Leagues, Walking Football Sessions and Male Just Play Centres.
What do you enjoy most about working for Hampshire FA and your job in particular?
The most rewarding part of my role is setting up projects that engage people in football who are less fortunate and wouldn’t usually get a chance to play the game. I also enjoy setting up projects that target people who are inactive or not playing football with the goal of improving their physical and mental wellbeing. This in turn improves their general health/fitness and overall quality of life.
What are you hoping to achieve next in your role?
This season is all about retaining participants who are currently playing in Hampshire. Next season, I will be working towards pre-pandemic rates of participation and then by the end of this strategy I want to have six Play On Leagues running simultaneously which cater for every part of the county to have access to a local league.
Most Importantly, What football team do you support?
Southampton FC!
Follow Pedro on Twitter to keep up to date!