Levin Dookhun

Levin Dookhun: Player, Coach and - Now - Referee

London FA provides the latest case study of one of the amazing individuals involved in football in the capital.

Levin Dookhun, an 18-year-old student from Wood Green in North London, has progressed impressively in both his education and in sport in the last two years.

It was whilst attending the brilliant Riverside School in Haringey that Levin started to play football regularly. The school for students with a wide range of general, complex, severe learning difficulties provided Levin with an opportunity to develop his skills inside and outside the classroom. He was soon seen as one of the top footballers at the school.

Upon joining Haringey 6th Form College, Levin took his place on an Entry and Foundation course. Working under a superb team of caring teachers, Levin has been able to gain a wide range of skills and qualifications, making friends across the college.

Like so many students at the college, Levin’s first experience of futsal came during the popular Friday inclusive lunchtime Futsal session, that sees students from Entry and Foundation, A Level, BTEC and ESOL programs coming together to play a winner stays on game. Levin showed considerable quality and was soon selected to join in with 1st team training sessions three times a week.

Showing great determination to overcome his nerves, Levin improved quickly, listening intently to the coach. As a forward player, Levin consistently scores goals, but it was in defending that he made significant progress, learning to track his opponent during complex Futsal rotations.

Levin DookhunThis year, Levin has become a key member of the college first team. His outstanding attendance record at college of 100% meant he was one of 16 students selected to take his Level 1 in football coaching. Working hard to complete all aspects of the course, including his Emergency Aid and Safeguarding qualification. Levin is pictured with his FA Level 1 Tutor Stephen Quashie (right).

Prior to the break in football, Levin was volunteering for a local football project on Saturday mornings. It is hoped he will be able to complete his level 1 coaching practical and gain the qualification with a month of football restarting.

To build more experience, Levin has also taken a lead in leading his Entry and Foundation class in warm ups in any sport sessions. It has been pleasing for staff to see Levin developing such leadership skills.

A particularly enjoyable moment for Levin last year, came when the Haringey 6 College team travelled to St Joseph’s College in Norwood to take on the Chelsea FC Foundation college program. Performing impressively throughout the game, Levin was able to score a great goal late in the game to the delight of the whole team and coaching staff.

It has been pleasing for Levin’s teachers to see Levin playing for the college football team in some league games this year, showing many of the skills he has developed through Futsal. Playing out on the left wing, Levin plays with quality and determination, and is a respected member of the team.

Levin DookhunThis year Levin has had the opportunity to take his Level 7 in Futsal refereeing. Levin worked hard on the course to pass the course. Since then, he has been officiating the college friendly games to gain more experience, and was recently given the opportunity to officiate in the London FA’s North London Futsal league that is hosted at Haringey’s 6th form college. The game between CM Academy and Finta Futsal was an exceptional game, and Levin officiated brilliantly in controlling the game throughout. 

One highlight this year for Levin was when he captained Haringey 6th Form Entry and Foundation in a tournament organised by Kith and Kids, a brilliant charity that supports families who have a child with autism or learning disability. As expected, Levin scored many goals, going onto to pick up the golden boot as top goal scorer of the tournament, but most impressively, Levin provided some thoughtful assists for his teammates, to help less experienced players enjoy the tournament.

Another highpoint for Levin this year was when he scored a hat-trick for the Haringey 6th form first team in a win against London Academy Excellence in Newham, showing his great composure in front of goal.

Weeks later, Levin scored three important group stage goals for the college, allowing them to progress to the knockout stages and go onto win the West Ham United Foundation College Futsal tournament. (Levin is front row on the left)

It is hoped, that when football and Futsal restarts Levin will make his debut in the National League, continue refereeing to help him progress to become a Level 6 referee, and continue coaching to help him inspire young players in the area and hopefully find some paid employment as a football coach.  

Levin’s energy and enthusiasm for the game is a great example to other students across the college, especially those within the entry and foundation, four of whom now follow in Levin’s footsteps by taking part in the colleges Friday’s inclusive Futsal session. 

Levin Dookhun

"Levin is a courteous young man that worked hard to develop his coaching skills.

"During the theory workshops, he showed respect for his peers when engaging in group discussions around the qualities of a football coach.

"Levin showed a willingness to complete all theory modules in his learner journal. His excellent timekeeping and enthusiasm enabled him to successfully complete the tasks."

Stephen Quashie, FA Tutor 

“Since Levin’s commencement at the college, his progression has been excellent.  He has grown in confidence not only in himself but in liaising with others.

"Levin is very likely to progress to BTEC Level One Sport from September from Entry and Foundation, which is fantastic and he also represents the college in the Special School’s Council and Student Union.

"He regularly participates in competitive football for the College, has developed his skills in coaching and is a fun, kind and hard working young man.”

Dean Britton, Director for Inclusion and Opportunity at Haringey 6th form college

"It has been great to see Levin’s great development. His confidence has improved and he is a popular student at the college. He has really tried to improve his game in futsal, working on the parts of his game that were not previously strengths, and that takes some courage. He is a great finisher and always tends to score at least a couple of goals in any game he plays; he has scored lots of goals for our 1st team over the last couple of years. Thank you to the Tottenham Grammar School Foundation for funding Levin and 15 other students to take their Level 1 in football coaching, we are hopeful that by the end of 2020 he can pass his exam. He is always keen to learn, and his attitude on the referee course was brilliant. He performed well in his first official game, we are hopeful he will keep progressing. I’d also like to say Thank you to Levin’s great teachers at Haringey 6th Form college for all of their care and assistance to help Levin progress."

Darren Wiltshire, Manager, Haringey 6 Sports Club