After the Academy: Kirkby lessons inspire app developer King

The former full-back’s stay at the Academy involved just two years in Kirkby, from 2010 to 2012, but the relationship forged with the Reds in that period has prolonged far beyond his farewell.

Born in Stavanger, Norway, King represented Australia as a youth international – appearing at the U17 World Cup in 2011 – and it is Down Under where his career in football is now blossoming… but off the pitch.

“I’m currently working with a sports technology start-up company, called myKicks,” the 23-year-old explained to Liverpoolfc.com.

“The company is developing a revolutionary football app for smartphones to help all levels of footballers improve their finishing, which is set to launch in September 2017.”

The app allows footballers to film their kicking technique on a smartphone and provides actionable feedback on speed, placement and trajectory.

Players using myKicks can improve their skill over time and master a variety of ways of striking the ball through the accelerated rate of learning built into the programme.

King, who completed a business degree in Australia, was so intrigued and enthused by the venture and its potential that he approached the company about being involved.

“It combined my two passions: football and entrepreneurship,” he said.

“I got in touch with the CEO, Andrew Hall, and as soon as I was given the chance to come on board I took it with both hands.

“I’m one of the first 10 employees at myKicks, working mainly on the user-improvement feature within the app, determining how we can help all levels of footballers improve using this brand new technology.

“I’ve always been interested in entrepreneurial ventures and myKicks was the perfect opportunity to merge this with my footballing knowledge.”

Tom’s proactive nature was clearly the catalyst for getting a foot in the door at myKicks.

But both before and since becoming part of the enterprise, the product developer has drawn on the experience of his 24 months with Liverpool – and particularly the advice received from Academy staff with whom King remains in contact.

“Liverpool FC has provided the foundation required to help players transition into life after football, through the big emphasis that was put on education for all the players whilst I was there,” reflected King.

“It ensured I would be ready for when I wanted to pursue other endeavours.

“Additionally, the support you receive from the education and welfare staff, such as Phil Roscoe and Clive Cook, was phenomenal throughout my time there and even up to this day, helping me in any way they could with on the field or off the field goals.

“My job relies heavily on the knowledge I gained from my time at Liverpool FC as it is so specific to football and young aspirational footballers.

“The skills learnt at the Academy from football, as well as the education in sports science, translates really well into knowing what tools will be really helpful for users of our app, as well as creating challenges that we know they’ll enjoy.”

The boyhood Red keeps in touch with many old teammates at Liverpool, and those who have continued in the professional game have kindly contributed ‘in-depth perspective’ for him to use in this new stage of his career.

King, who is based in Perth, hopes to come full circle next month by visiting the Academy when the global launch of myKicks is held in the UK.

The place is special to him, of course. But, above all, it was the people he met along the way that have earned the permanent position in his heart and memories.

“My time at the Academy was an incredible experience,” he concluded.

“Having the chance to play for a club of that stature that you’ve supported for so long was an unbelievable privilege.

“However, the people at the club are really the ones that make you look back on the Academy so fondly, from the teammates that become lifelong friends, through to the knowledge you received from staff from a footballing perspective as well as a personal perspective.”