Say hello to our coaches
Our excellent team of coaches are the most fundamental aspect of Little Stars and Highgate Woods F.C.. We value our coaches and all the hard work they do immensely.
Each and every coach contributes their own set of skills, experience, and knowledge, but most importantly they are all experts in the happiness and enjoyment children can gain from sport.
Some of our coaches have been with Little Stars since the beginning, whose loyalty in unwaivered, and others have just joined, and their new ideas we welcome.
All our coaches undergo relevant training from us, alongside a DBS check, and either a FA qualification, or are acquiring the experience to undertake one.
Without them Little Stars or Highgate Woods FC wouldn’t be the same. Thank you
Football coaching for me is at its best when you see children who when they first came to a session, they were shy, nervous, not confident in their own ability and a bit scared. Then after a few football sessions, you see the confidence and smile whilst having the football at their feet and playing as part of a team. I believe football is a great tool to enable our future generation to become confident in themselves and valued members of our society, no matter how good your skill. As coaches we have a responsibility to help develop a complete person, not just the best footballer.
I wanted to become a football coach to help inspire children to enjoy sport. To break the boundaries between being the best at football and playing it for the love of the game. As a child I wasn’t the best but through hard work and good coaches I got a lot better. I believe it’s important that all children get a chance to enjoy the beautiful game.
My favourite footballer growing up was David Beckham, the way her caressed the ball with such accuracy was mesmerising. I practised his technique every day in the park and against my garden wall.
Im inspired by people who overcome adversity and succeed despite all the odds stacked against them. I started Little Stars Coaching with the view to get all children enjoying football in the great outdoors in all weathers. Now I enjoy seeing the coaches that are part of our team, helping to develop the skills of our children.
I was born and brought up in Kenya and have been coaching football for 6 years. I am the founder of an elite non profit football academy in Kenya.
The academy provides support to talented underprivileged footballers from informal settlements with the ultimate aim of securing a sustainable future through football. I use my passion for the game as a medium to help bridge the gap between poverty and sustainable living. The academy has been in function for 5 years and I have developed 8 players that have signed for Kenyan Premier League Teams (where they earn salaries) and 7 others for the National team across various age groups. Alumni have also been trained as Coaches.
As a player, I played for 2 Kenyan Premier League Clubs (Highest level of the Kenyan Football Pyramid) and notably received an U20 National Team call up.
I enjoy inspiring the next generation of elite footballers. My coaching philosophy is to develop holistic players (tactically, technically, mentally, socially and physically astute, responsible leaders and members of society with moral values.
I love tactics, making decisions that influence scenarios and leading teams. My teams are well known for playing possession dominating & fast attacking football.
I don’t have one favourite footballer. I absorb positive traits from each and learn from their successes & mistakes.
I am born and raised in the north west of London, a stone throw away from the nation’s stadium, Wembley. I played football semi-professionally for Maidenhead United FC. In 2006 I was selected to represent the UK in the Pepsi Max World Challenge, which took two players each from eleven countries to compete for six weeks in a series of football challenges which was filmed and aired on Channel 4.
Why do you enjoy coaching?
I like to see kids develop and get better at things they thought they couldn’t do. Also as I played football myself and wanted to learn more about the game.
Your favourite football player?
I have loads growing up, Cantona, Beckham, Giggs (there’s a theme here), Del Piero also but I really like clever players so my favourite of all time is Zinedane Zidane, pure elegance on the football pitch and won every trophy going.
What inspires you?
Never stop trying to be the best you can be at something no matter what it is in life.
I am from south Portugal where you can find the best beaches and have the best sea food. I played football there for over 15 years being appointed team captain in several occasions. I experienced different tactics, ideas and values from former coaches of mine and that always fascinated me, the fact that players will learn and progress differently according to their coaches and I want to be one of those persons making an impact on player’s learning and development.
Being part of a team and the challenges that come from it is what inspires me the most to have become a football coach. I love to create and deliver my own football sessions.
One of my favourite players of all time is Luis Figo which I had the pleasure to meet personally. Figo was great technically and always pulled magnificent runs and crosses.
Why do you enjoy coaching?
Laughter. The outdoors. Friends. Fresh air. Team work. Progress. Results. Getting muddy. Having fun. Playing football! Watching football! The pirate game.The sound the ball makes when it hits the back of the net. Sportsmanship. Being healthy. Smelly bibs. Muddy footballs. Big smiles……That’s why I love it.
What made you become a coach?
Two reasons, One: my dad. He’s played and coached all his life. He coached me. He’s my hero. It’s an honour to follow in his footsteps. Two: 10 years ago I spent some time in rural Tanzania. I couldn’t communicate with any of the local children; we spoke different languages… but I could play football! With a scrunched up ball of plastic bags we’d play until the sun set. Football’s special. Like all sport it brings people together and I love being part of that.”
Who’s your favourite player?
Dennis Bergkamp. An artist. A wizard. Like no other.
What inspires you?
People who are brave and strong even when it’s hard.
Hi I’m Phil. I’m 43 and from the United Kingdom. I’m a father of 2 boys and have been married for 12 years. I have always lived in London and have loved football for as long as I can remember! My all-time favourite footballer is Paul Gascoigne.
I enjoy keeping fit, good food and spending time with my friends and family.
One day a few years ago I was playing football in the park with my kids and their friends – I suddenly thought to myself I want to coach these kids! So I followed that dream and was given an opportunity to become a coach at Little Stars – and I’m enjoying it. Seeing any improvements they make is priceless. But for me, the most important thing is that they enjoy the sessions – learning through fun.
I was Born in England However my nationality is Grenadian, jamaican and Nigerian. I’ve played football since I was 4 years old and my older brother put goalkeeper gloves on me and hockey head gear and stuck me in a goal in our back garden.
Why do you enjoy coaching?
Since I was young, I’ve had a love for the roles coaches play in a football team. They are the backreel in everything that happens on the field. My love for kids and coaching has contributed amazingly as to why I enjoy coaching so much and really just love seeing the joy it bring kids when they score or they assisted a goal. It’s amazing.
Why did you become a football coach? .
I don’t think I became one I more or so grew into one at a young age and just developed my skills as a natural teacher and my love for football to teach kids how to play.”
Your favourite football player?
Definitely Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s such a motivated player and individual and that’s who footsteps I follow in as a current football player and a coach. He also pushed me to train every day nonstop and encourage others to do the same.
Who inspires you?
I am quite a religious person so definitely the man above however apart from him, My mom who literally tells how brilliant and amazing I am every day.
Why do I enjoy coaching:
“I love football and love to see people grow in everything that they do. I want to use my knowledge in football to give back to the youth so that they learn to become the best football players they can be but also be better people off the pitch as well.”
What made me become a football coach:
“Well I wish I could play football professionally but I think I’ve reached the age where I can only play for fun and do the best that I can but becoming a football coach I can keep learning the sport and give back what I know and football is what I love most.”
What inspires me:
“People that have goals and dreams and reach them. My dream was always to come to the UK and it took me 8 years on average to get here and finally here so I truly believe you can do whatever you want if you put your mind to it. I now have another dream to get my UEFA license so hopefully I keep going as I am waiting on doing my level 2.”
Hi I’m Ben, I’m 18 years old and from the United Kingdom. I am currently in my last year of sixth form. I have played football since I was 5 and I have played for a team since I was 9. My all time favourite footballer has to be Gareth Bale.
I was 15 when I was offered my first coaching job off of one of my dads friends, and to be honest I wasn’t too sure about it when I was first offered, but after the first day of coaching, I fell in love with it. I want to be able to make a positive difference to children’s life’s through football. I couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunity given to me at Little Stars and I have to say it has the best set up I’ve seen in my 3 years of coaching. My main aim as a coach is not only for the children to grow as a person and footballer, but to also see them leaving the session with a smile on their face.
Why do you enjoy coaching?
I enjoy coaching because I love football and coming up with great and new ideas to play the game and I love creating new training drills.
What made you become a football coach?
I wanted to be a football coach because I love helping people improve their abilities and helping them achieve their goals.
Who is your favourite football player?
I would say Toni Kroos because he plays in a similar position to me and I like the way he can control games and has a wide range of passing abilities.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by people who take lead and try to better themselves and people around them.
Hi, I’m Oliver and I’m 16 years old. I have just joined the 6th form and I play for my school. I have been playing football since I was 6 and have been coaching my little brother from since he started nursery. My favourite team is Arsenal and my favourite player growing up would have to be Cristiano Ronaldo because of how many goals he scored as well as his great skills and passes.
When I got offered to work at Little Stars, I wasn’t sure whether I could make a jump from coaching my brother to more children that I’ve never met. After a few weeks of meeting everyone, I instantly felt comfortable to expand my coaching skill further with the other great coaches. Now I have the courage to take small groups on my own and develop their football ability. I enjoy the freedom to work with a range of age groups and at different skill levels and watch them grow in my great footballers. My next goal for coaching is to create a few drills on my own and see the progress of their development. It is especially satisfying at the end when all the children say they had a good time and their willingness to improve.
Join our team
At little stars we are always looking for new coaches to come and join our team. If you have a background in football, working with young children or education then get in touch.
