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Early education at Waterloo FC was more than just playing football, the level of detail that went into the logistics of training and matches were a class above other grassroots teams. With multiple age groups running at the time, a clear identity and strategy was set in place and evident on the eye. The team behind the scenes kept things flowing effortlessly, whilst the coaching team had great knowledge in behaviour management, discipline all balanced well with great fun. The Waterloo FC team possessed great fundamentals to not only run a successful organisation but to also develop top football players and great young people. These fundamentals have stuck with me from a boy till this day and have used it on my journey working with players and football clubs all around the world.

Waterloo was one of the true highlights of my childhood. It was never just a Sunday league team; it was family. We trained, traveled, and ran together - and while those runs felt endless at the time, they built the foundation of who I am today.

Waterloo taught me perseverance, dedication, and diligence. Most importantly, it taught me the process of becoming a winner, which had a direct impact on both my character and my academics.

The club's support allowed me to earn my FA coaching qualification and play at the county level. That passion led me to study Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Birmingham. Thanks to the standards instilled in me at Waterloo, I went on to work as a Performance Analyst at West Bromwich Albion FC, where I learned exactly what it takes to maintain elite standards.

Today, I am a Biology teacher and football coach in the Dominican Republic. I can say with certainty: I would not be where I am today without the Waterloo community.

I attended sessions with Waterloo FC from the age of 8 years old. I was shy, nervous and the only girl there. However , the coaches were wonderful and encouraged me to find my confidence. I continued attending sessions with Waterloo FC in various locations including Coin Street and Mint Street until i turned 17 years old. The environment was always fun and the coaches made sure to find different ways to keep me engaged despite my different needs. I've Gone on to follow my passion for football in the form of coaching now, i've been coaching for 7 years & I would like to say thank you to Waterloo FC for never giving up on me.

Waterloo FC made me who I am today. It was never easy being the manager’s son and captain; there always seemed to be a spotlight on my performances in training and on matchdays from teammates, parents and coaches. An unspoken pressure to be excellent each and every week, but it’s a position I learned to thrive in, as I learned it wasn’t about pressure… it was a level of trust that those around me instilled in me and a level of consistency that was expected, and I can’t thank everyone enough for that belief.

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It pushed me to train hard, grow in confidence and mature beyond my years. WSFC was the start of my growth as a leader, and I’m proudly embracing that role now as a member of the WSFC coaching team, giving back to the next generation of leaders.

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The invaluable skills and values learned through my development at WSFC have enabled me to branch out into different fields. Skills such as communication, discipline and emotional regulation have served me well as a PE teacher, Learning Support Assistant and now as Head Barista for Gail’s Bakery.

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Wherever I find myself now, I embrace the child in me who learned to thrive in a position with high expectations, belief and an opportunity to lead others.

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Thank you, Waterloo Football Club!

"I must thank the coaching team at the club for the massive improvement in Joshua's game technically. He has been able to retain instructions on what is expected of him in any position the head coach has played him. (He has played in four different positions this year!)

The recent cup finals showed great teamwork.  Winning both finals and playing beautiful football in the league has earned Joshua and his team mates respect from opposing teams.

Because of Joshua's ability to follow instructions on the pitch, off the pitch, as parents we are now enjoying the benefits of a young, fully focused teenager!  I will have no reservations what so ever in recommending other young children in joining Waterloo FC.  I believe in this club, you are creating assets for the future and living testimonies now that what happens in this Club is good for the community. I could go on for ever!!” 

"My name is John Casey and I am the father of an 8-year-old boy who has trained under Arnie Reynolds and his coaching team, Luke and Ollie for the last 2 years. 

My son was selected to train at the Chelsea foundation and has represented Chelsea London in the U9 and U8 competitions at the Chelsea Cobham training faculty. He plays for the U9 Regents Park A team and is a part of the first squad at his school. In almost all levels in which my son plays football he is amongst the best for his age. Both he and I put this down to the training, ethos and education he learned from Arnie and his team at Hatfield’s on Sunday mornings. 

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My son is extremely active and has a very busy social life. But the one thing he always looked forward to more than anything was football training on Sundays, which he loved for many reasons: 

•Arnie, Luke and Ollie’s quality of training, sense of fun and spirit of community.

•The opportunity to combine fitness, training, matches and nutritional advice. 

We have trained for football at various sites in London, Singapore and Hong Kong for the past 6 years, up to 5 different trainings per week and daily for the lion share of the half terms and school holidays. I can unequivocally say that what Arnie and his team offer is truly unique. 

Any organisation that is lucky enough to have these talented athletes and instructors work with them will see their young players grow in confidence, ability, fitness and good manners. In over 2 years I have never witnessed one piece of bad behaviour in any of the kids in their charge."

Growing up in South London, in the heart of Waterloo, football was a big part of my life. I played grassroots football until I was 17, then spent a year playing for Hendon FC. After that, I returned to my old team and made the transition into coaching. It was at a summer tournament hosted by Waterloo FC where I first met Arnie. After our conversation, I was instantly drawn to his coaching style. His ability to communicate with the players and the level of detail he put into their development left me in awe. I knew right away that I wanted to be part of his coaching team.

I spent a few years working alongside Arnie as his assistant, and those years were truly transformative. I learned more than I ever could have from a course or textbook. Not only did I grow as a coach, but I learned a great deal about myself and what it truly means to lead and inspire.

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Waterloo FC has been a game-changer for me, both personally and professionally. The club has always focused on more than just developing football skills. It provides children and young people with opportunities to grow socially, emotionally, and academically. Whether it was transport, food, or simply having a safe space to be themselves, WFC gave me and countless others the tools we needed to succeed both on and off the pitch.

The sessions were about far more than just football tactics — they became a support system that helped me navigate some of my toughest challenges. They gave me a place to reflect, grow, and push through difficult times.

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Looking back on my time with Waterloo FC, I can honestly say that the club has changed my life. I’ve seen how much I’ve grown, and I attribute much of that growth to the people at the club. It’s not just about coaching or managing; it’s about being a role model and learning what it truly means to be a positive influence in someone’s life. I've also learned how to be a better father, a better leader, and ultimately, a better man. The experiences and lessons I’ve gained through Waterloo FC have shaped who I am today, and for that, I will always be grateful.

"Arnie Reynolds and his team, Luke and Ollie have played very large roles in the sporting lives of my two children. For the last few years they coached them on a Sunday morning and Thursday evening. In those sessions they have taught them first-rate football skills and provided them with excellent advice as to how they can improve. But they have done far more than that! They have instilled in them a sense of discipline, professionalism and commitment. Since I have known Arnie he has gone out of the way to help my two boys: coaching them for far longer than the allotted time and arranging trials. They have always enjoyed being coached by him and he has gone out of his way to help them. I have always found Arnie to be highly professional, courteous and good fun. He was much missed by the boys and parents when he stopped running the Sunday sessions."

I started off in Waterloo FC in Year 5 primary school period. Arnie would lead sessions after school which later lead to me playing for Waterloo FC Sunday team 

Since leaving Waterloo FC and gaining experience I played for Hampton and Richmond Youth Team then eventually went played for Salisbury City Reserves and First team. Later I moved to Washington DC to play for DC United under 23s briefly. Then eventually studied Sports Management at University of Kent.

Waterloo FC helped me a lot growing up, providing an opportunity to play football which was my passion and being able to get coached by top coaches. Throughout the process I learned discipline and teamwork which has later helped me through all walks of life.

Overall I’m grateful for being a part of Waterloo FC as a whole. It shaped me to be the guy I am today. Being able to communicate and thrive in social environments definitely stemmed from my times at the club meeting new people and being to express my self.

My message for your young people is to dream big, and try your best to put yourself in environments that encourage you to do better and make you a better person

“Waterloo FC was like a family to me and they were there to support me when I needed it most. Through what I’ve learnt I hope I can inspire other youths, and use my life as an example to kids who are going through hard times to help them to stay positive and look at life beyond the streets”.

“Being part of WFC, Nyron has benefited in more ways than one. He has become more focused academically, confident in football & his fitness level has improved a lot. Nyron is very committed to football & would love to become a professional or coach. He has begun to choose his friends a bit more wisely and no longer finds it necessary to hang on the street with friends as he says, "There is no motivation."

“I used to feel comfortable hanging out with my gang, but now  I’ve been able to see where I’ve gone wrong and where I want to go with my life”

“Waterloo FC has helped me get the skills, qualifications and experience I need to succeed in life. It was brilliant to be part of a team that achieved so much and gave me some great memories.  I’m really grateful to all the coaches at the club and it feels good to give back something to other kids in my community”  

"For me Waterloo just started as an extra chance to start doing football allowing me to get better at my craft and improve in an environment that wasn’t ruled over pressure but just pure excitement. Not only did Waterloo grow me as a keeper but it shaped me into a young adult allowing me to translate so many skills that I learned on the pitch and utilising these skills off the pitch as well. Being able to talk to Arnie, Oli and Luke about anything and being able to open up and ask difficult questions (about anything not just football) was what made us all at Waterloo become young, great, inquisitive adults. Having Waterloo available to me from such a young age just opened so many doors to me now, being able to play football for free and now I play futsal at a very good level with University and coach in women's futsal. All thanks to Waterloo."

"Growing up, Waterloo FC was the highlight of my week without question. It wasn’t just a football club; it was the heart of the community for me and so many other boys in and around the area. It was a place where we didn't just grow as footballers, but as men.

The lessons I learned there—about discipline, resilience, and hard work—have stuck with me to this day.

The competitive environment of cage football every week sharpened me technically and mentally. It pushed me and played a huge role in my development. Without a doubt, it was one of the key stepping stones that helped me sign professionally in Spain.

Waterloo FC built more than just players—it built character. I’m incredibly grateful for everything the club has done, and I hope they continue their great work with the next generation. Just as the club poured into me, I now look forward to passing those same lessons on as I continue my journey in football."

"Waterloo FC was the one place growing up that you would 100% see everyone at on a Thursday evening after school! For me it was all about being with my friends and getting away from school to go and play what i loved. Im so thankful for the coaches at Waterloo, they took us all in, taught us not just football skills but life skills and now I see them as my close friends. Things at Waterloo FC inspired not just myself on founding a football club in R2J but a whole community in being and doing the best they can."

“When I first started the project I didn’t get on with some of the boys from another estate, but because we had to come together as a team, we tried to get along and now we’re friends”

“The project gives me something to aim for. It motivates me to stay physically fit and eat healthy because I know that each week the coaches will push me to be better.”

I first started playing with Waterloo fc when I was in 14 years old each week I would for football sessions which would always be intense and fun. Was with older boys too so it made a way better player.

Since being at Waterloo I went on to sign a scholarship at burnley fc when I was 16 and from there moving to Salford fc on my first professional contract and where I still am now.

Waterloo fc are still a team I stay in touch with as Arnie, Luke and Ollie are great people and every off season I come back to play football with them. They are great people for the community in south London as they give people chances to play football every week no matter who are.

It’s a place I’d encourage everyone to get down to whenever they can.

And if you work hard enough opportunities can always come to you and just have to always make sure you are ready for them.

 “I was scared coming up to my maths exam because I wasn’t confident in some areas, it helped because it was just me and the tutor, not like in class”.

"Before Waterloo no one in my life had ever helped me to get used to interviews and I had never worked before, the work experience at Waterloo helped me to get a part-time coaching job."