I am a Head of Physical Education and Head of Year at a local Secondary School near Ipswich. I have had a passion for Football and have played throughout my life, being at Ipswich Towns Centre of Excellence during my early teens and also being signed on F.A. Associate schoolboy forms with Colchester United when I was 15. After not being taken on in a professional context I decided I would continue with my love of Football using my skills as a coach for local teams that I played for. I enjoyed coaching and decided to become more involved. So, during my time training to become a PE teacher I undertook my FA badges and have now reached the UEFA B Licence level. I have been coaching now for over twelve years for local youth and adult Football sides, both paid and voluntarily. I have also been heavily involved with local schools Football and I have had many successes with teams winning County cups and South Suffolk / West Suffolk Schools cup tournaments, as well as reaching the Semi-Final of the National School Sports Colleges tournament. My coaching qualifications then led me to coach for local County Councils, Football in the Community programmes and I also set up and managed a Sporting and Football Coaching initiative at Suffolk Coastal Council, which is still running today. This included setting up tournaments, running and designing course programmes, managing other coaches as well as coaching pupils who attended. After regularly coaching for other employers I decided to set up Apple Football School as I felt I could offer coached pupils more value for money, incorporate a programme which was not restrained by time and other constraints, whilst allowing pupils to receive an FA coaching award which no other course locally offers. I have also given assistance from my course activties, as well as offering coaching resources and drills to coaches associated with clubs such as Reading FC, Middlesboro FC, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, Manchester City FC, Ipswich Town FC and Colchester United FC. My skills have also been used when helping some ex. professional players through their FA levels 1, 2 and 3 coaching badges with advice and resources after they have requested my services. I have also run 'coach education' sessions for many local youth sides and the coaches they use, to increase their knowledge, skills and activity ideas for pupils coached. *** There have also been a lot of exciting new developments within my own personal coaching, management and attributes. I have recently been accepted by the FA to start my UEFA 'A' license, beginning March 2009 at the David Beckham Acadmey in London as well as starting my Youth coaches FA awards for age appropriate coaching in November. I have also begun managing a local adult side who are currently unbeaten 7 games into the season, including beating semi-professional sides in local cup competitions. One of my biggest personal achievements was being invited and elected as the local Suffolk County U14 manager for the 2008-09 season. Trials have been underway and a pre-squad of 22 players are playing against Ipswich Town academy U14's for the chance to make my final squad of 15 for the season. I am also currently setting up an elite Football / Education academy. From 2009 I will be educating and coaching elite players aged 16-19, linking in with a local semi-professional side, to develop player potential and give students the chance to gain scholarships or contracts with professional clubs. ***
Apple Football School is now in its sixth year and is growing all the time.
Review of Personal Details / Important Information
I am a Head of Physical Education and Head of Year at a local Secondary School near Ipswich. I have had a passion for Football and have played throughout my life, being at Ipswich Towns Centre of Excellence during my early teens and also being signed on F.A. Associate schoolboy forms with Colchester United when I was 15. After not being taken on in a professional context I decided I would continue with my love of Football using my skills as a coach for local teams that I played for. I enjoyed coaching and decided to become more involved. So, during my time training to become a PE teacher I undertook my FA badges and have now reached the UEFA B Licence level. I have been coaching now for over twelve years for local youth and adult Football sides, both paid and voluntarily. I have also been heavily involved with local schools Football and I have had many successes with teams winning County cups and South Suffolk / West Suffolk Schools cup tournaments, as well as reaching the Semi-Final of the National School Sports Colleges tournament. My coaching qualifications then led me to coach for local County Councils, Football in the Community programmes and I also set up and managed a Sporting and Football Coaching initiative at Suffolk Coastal Council, which is still running today. This included setting up tournaments, running and designing course programmes, managing other coaches as well as coaching pupils who attended. After regularly coaching for other employers I decided to set up Apple Football School as I felt I could offer coached pupils more value for money, incorporate a programme which was not restrained by time and other constraints, whilst allowing pupils to receive an FA coaching award which no other course locally offers. I have also given assistance from my course activties, as well as offering coaching resources and drills to coaches associated with clubs such as Reading FC, Middlesboro FC, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, Manchester City FC, Ipswich Town FC and Colchester United FC. My skills have also been used when helping some ex. professional players through their FA levels 1, 2 and 3 coaching badges with advice and resources after they have requested my services. I have also run 'coach education' sessions for many local youth sides and the coaches they use, to increase their knowledge, skills and activity ideas for pupils coached. *** There have also been a lot of exciting new developments within my own personal coaching, management and attributes. I have recently been accepted by the FA to start my UEFA 'A' license, beginning March 2009 at the David Beckham Acadmey in London as well as starting my Youth coaches FA awards for age appropriate coaching in November. I have also begun managing a local adult side who are currently unbeaten 7 games into the season, including beating semi-professional sides in local cup competitions. One of my biggest personal achievements was being invited and elected as the local Suffolk County U14 manager for the 2008-09 season. Trials have been underway and a pre-squad of 22 players are playing against Ipswich Town academy U14's for the chance to make my final squad of 15 for the season. I am also currently setting up an elite Football / Education academy. From 2009 I will be educating and coaching elite players aged 16-19, linking in with a local semi-professional side, to develop player potential and give students the chance to gain scholarships or contracts with professional clubs. ***