OWEN 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.
LEE HARRISON Having loved football for as long as I can remember, I had always hoped working in football was inevitable until I was able to find a role within football beyond just playing on a Saturday. Since I was able to take sports coaching at University I haven’t looked back, currently undergoing my masters in football coaching at UCFB. Am-Pro provides the perfect environment for me to further my skills as a coach personally, and my experiences of coaching at Leiston EJA and being the Chairman/Manager of an SIL FA Affiliated adult football club will allow me to contribute to the fantastic team already present here.
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.
JAMES LONG My interest in coaching stems from a love of the game coupled with a passion for giving young players a great start in sport. Developing players and people is a privilege and working with Am-Pro Coaching along with coaching the U14’s & U23’s at Leiston FC, provides a great platform for me to add value. Whether it’s smiles, balance and coordination with the mini ballers or working at a really high tempo with older players wanting to progress their playing careers, Am-Pro is a great environment to coach in.
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.
CHRIS SHEMMINGS My football coaching journey started at grassroots where I fell into the role of manager of my son’s - at the time - U8 team. Over the past four years I have developed a strong passion to ensure each player has the opportunity to reach their full potential through aiding their development and confidence in a fun and safe environment. Outside of Am-pro, I am Vice Chair of Youth Football at Woodbridge Town Football Club and coach the U11s Woodbridge Woodpeckers. I also coach Leiston U13 EJA team. I am UEFA qualified but always look to personally develop by gaining new skills and qualifications.
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.
JACK MANLEY Coaching is something I have developed over a number of years of working with fantastic coaches with the academy system at ITFC while playing there from the age of 6 up until 19. During my time I picked up a first team appearance and a number of different skills which I now want to relay to everyone I coach. I now play for leiston first team trying to develop my skills on the pitch as well as off it by being a mentor and someone to learn off. These experiences have made me someone who wants to help others reach their full potential within the game of football and in life itself.
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!
