Coach Stu

Coaching team I, 23rd April 2012 –  30th June 2012

THE BREWSTER TRUST, Barbados

“After leaving university I spent eight and a half years working for IBM in a number of different roles: Management Consultant, Project Manager, Network Specialist and Analyst Programmer.”


Educational Background:

  • University of Cambridge: M.Sc. Computer Science
  • University of Durham: B.A. (Hons) Modern Languages
  • Dame Alice Owen’s School 1991-1993
  • Chancellor’s School 1986-1991


Experience in football:

  • Arsenal Football Club – Gap Year Scheme (August 2011- Present) Through the Arsenal Gap Year Scheme I have gained a great deal of experience coaching football to a wide range of abilities and ages. Coaching in primary and secondary schools is a major focus. Other activities have involved coaching children with disabilities and adults with learning difficulties, as well as helping with Arsenal’s literacy programmes and social inclusion projects. I have also been involved with Arsenal Soccer Schools during school holidays. As part of the scheme, I have also undertaken both refereeing and coaching qualifications.
  • Uganda: I have just returned from three months in Uganda, where I coached 3000 young people in primary and secondary schools, colleges and non-governmental organisations in dif-ferent parts of the country. I also coached S.C. Villa, a Ugandan Super League team, working with full international players and coaches.
  • University: I played for the first XI at both of the universities I attended. I was university captain and player of the year at Durham.
  • School: I played for the district and county teams throughout secondary school.


Football Qualifications:

  • FA Level 1 Coaching Badge – Covered the fundamentals of coaching football with a slight weighting towards coaching young people. Prior to passing and completing the course, I de-livered an assessed session to a satisfactory standard.
  • FA Qualifications in First Aid and Safeguarding Children – Essential training in initial assessment and treatment of injuries common in football matches and training sessions and training on important aspects of Child protection.
  • FA Youth Award Module 1 – Included increased focus on coaching and working with children, in particular the 5-11 years old age group. Covered ways of increasing participation, enjoyment and learning.
  • Qualified to referee small-sided games