OWEN is an Assistant Headteacher with over 10 years of teaching experience. He has taught a variety of age groups and led a variety of subjects across the whole school. He is UEFA B qualified and has been coaching football for over 12 years, where he has had experience developing grassroots, elite and academy players in 1-2-1 and group-based sessions. During those years, he has helped many grassroots players gain a contract with a pro club. Owen is currently the Manager of a Leiston EJA side and Suffolk County School Boys U16s. Alongside this, he is also a scout for a professional club.
NEIL is UEFA qualified and has 18 years of experience working at a pro club academy within the foundation and the youth development phase. During this period, he has supported players into reaching the highest level of the pro game and developed individuals and teams. Neil also has experience of delivering PE in schools and BTEC courses in local colleges. He has a history of improving grassroots players to the level of obtaining pro club academy contracts. Neil is currently the lead development coach for the U13’s to U18’s at Leiston Football Club.
CHRIS KEELER After spending a few years away from playing football, my daughter took up playing for Kesgrave Kestrels about 2 years ago which allowed me to take on a role of coaching their goalkeeper. This led to working with multiple goalkeepers at the club. I take a massive amount of joy watching these young goalkeepers improve week in week out and seeing them develop as people and players. I am working through my coaching badges and enjoying every minute, all while supporting the Ipswich Witches as a massive speedway fan and following ITFC. Really looking forward to continuing on the coaching path and improving as a goalkeeping coach.
BEN ANDREWS My love and passion for coaching football comes from my love of the game! I have been a primary school PE Teacher for 13 years running numerous football teams for both boys and girls. After suffering my second serious knee injury my playing days may be over so I have also taken on managing my Sunday league adult team. In my spare time you will either find me following ITFC up and down the country or out on the golf course. I started coaching when on work experience at the age of 15 for Colchester United Foundation where I learnt how to talk and deliver sessions to young children, as well as making them enjoyable. Since then, I have continued my coaching journey by helping develop young players in the local area.
NEIL FROST During 20 years of professional training management and delivery, I have realised what motivates me most, which is building strong relationships with people to empower them to perform their best. Having had experience of playing at professional pathways at youth level for Ipswich Town and Cambridge Utd, I moved into coaching to satisfy a thirst for making football fun whilst still pushing players to be the best they can be regardless of level. Despite being qualified to UEFA level, I always invest in my own development to ensure my training is current, effective and enjoyable for my players. I have experience at grassroots from coaching mini’s right through to older age groups at professional club settings. I also specialise in delivering one to one sessions, increasing player confidence & identifying the specific technical needs of players across all ages and standards including professional academy level. Football is my passion and I believe working at Am-Pro will continue to develop me as a coach.
CHARLIE ATKIN My playing career in football has led to a strong passion for coaching, through the impact many coaches have had on my own football development. This has advanced an eagerness to watch players grow and develop tactically, technically and mentally while still enjoying the sport they love. My time playing at Colchester United academy gave me the opportunity to play with and against some of the best footballers in the country, and learn how some have grown to become the recognised professionals that young players aspire to be. Academy and non-league football at such a young age has also allowed me to observe some of the best coaches around, who have given me footballing insight I hope to convey to the players I work with. I am a strong believer that talent needs to be accompanied by hard work and the right attitude, and this is something I hope to encourage in my coaching sessions. I am eager to continue advancing my coaching knowledge through qualifications and my colleagues at Am-Pro, while creating sessions that allow players to learn, be productive and, most importantly, enjoy themselves.
Glen Brock My passion is developing people and at Am Pro I'm given the perfect platform to test my skills. I hold a variety of football qualifications and I'm always looking to further my knowledge and understanding to help adapt the sessions I offer. Currently, outside of Am Pro, I work across 4 teams coaching from u9s, through EJA, to the U23s at Leiston. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than sharing the things I have learnt in a variety of fun ways.
MARCUS MEHEWI currently play for Leiston FC, having previously played in the Norwich area in my younger years where I gained valuable experience through numerous sessions run by Norwich Academy coaches. I'm now passionate about passing on the best bits of knowledge that I picked up along the way, and helping to develop the next generation of young goalkeepers. I aim to support every player I coach, together with AM-Pro, in progressing to the highest level.
JACK BERESFORD I played for Colchester United Academy between the age of 12 to 16 where I benefited from goalkeeper training in an elite environment, which taught me what it takes to become an elite player, as well as becoming a better person myself. My career has led me to Leiston Football Club where I currently play. Outside of football, I attend St Joseph’s College where I study Sports Coaching and Development, and Business Studies.
SAM BURMAN Coaching football and working with young people is a strong passion of mine. To develop player confidence, their enjoyment of the game and their technical/tactical skills is very rewarding. Having just completed my UEFA B, being a teacher and working in the coaching industry I feel very confident in providing provision which benefits all experiences, motives and abilities. I currently coach at Leiston Football Club as well as Suffolk Schools and am a big Ipswich Town fan!
