FA Coach Mentors for Berks & Bucks FA
Our Coach Mentors
The FA is committed to supporting grassroots coaches to start and continue coaching with confidence, with the aim of supporting more transformational coaches.
That’s why we’re really proud of our Mentoring offer, which aims to support, encourage & challenge coaches to manage their own learning within their own specific context, helping them maximise their potential, develop their skills, recognise their attributes; and all towards them becoming the coach & person they want to be.
Our Mentor Programme is designed to provide:
• Face-to-face support - on the ground
• Addressing some of the stubborn inequalities in the game
• Targeted support for female, Black & Asian coaches
• Breaking down barriers
• Highlighting role models in the game
• Supporting coaches with individual bespoke 1-1 support
• Developing and supporting more mentors across our affiliated club network
• Developing more mentors
Interesting in receiving support from a FA Coach Mentor?
The FA has a team of mentors who can support you in your role as a coach across Berks & Bucks. Interested in receiving support, see below details of the Mentors & Developers in our area including a little bit about them and their contact details:
Vicky Fisher
FA Regional Coach Development Officer (Women & Girls) South West
Team you support: Lionesses
A little bit about yourself: I love working in football and supporting other coaches. But when I’m not at work I’m a grassroots coach currently managing a women's team although over time I’ve coached every age group in both youth and adult football working with boys and girls!
How you can support: I primarily help to support female coaches in the region – delivering female coaching workshops and providing a safe space to connect, network, learn and develop together. You might also see me delivering other CPD events around the county or on courses such as UEFA C or UEFA B!
Contact: Vicky.Fisher@TheFA.com
Vinny Halsall
FA Regional Physical Education Officer (South West)
Team you support: Liverpool FC & Easington Sports FC (Grassroots)
A little bit about yourself: Away from the day job I am a devoted family man with a wife and son. For the past 5 years, I have been a volunteer Grassroots coach and more recently Committee member and Youth League Respect Officer. In between family and volunteer coaching, I enjoy the challenge and benefits afforded by taking part in Triathlon.
How you can support: Current, active experience as a Grassroots Coach for U14 boys enables me to provide real insights when working with coaches as part of our FA Grassroots Development Team Coach CPD programme.
Contact: Vincent.Halsall@TheFA.com
Chris Berry
FA Coach Mentor
Team you support: Reading FC
A little bit about yourself: I am a lifelong football fan (4th generation Reading FC fan) and have been lucky enough to work to improve the game I love and work with some amazing people and organisations, including my hometown club and the FA. I currently work supporting teachers and coaches for Reading FC Community Trust as well as leading an age group and the introduction of the brand new 'Emerging Talent Centres' with Reading FC Women. I also run, coach, and occasionally play for a local grassroots club, so can fully appreciate the astonishing work that volunteers put in for the benefit of our national game.
How you can support: I deliver on the UEFA C License course so if you are looking to further develop your practice through achieving this qualification, we will no doubt cross paths! I am also a Coach Mentor, supporting female coaches across our area and supporting the development of a more representative workforce.
Contact: Chris.Berry@TheFA.com
Jon Simmons
FA Coach Mentor
Team you support: Tottenham Hotspur
A little bit about yourself: I have been coaching with the ‘L Plates on’ (always learning, especially from others) for the last 17 years in local clubs and leagues across Berks and Bucks. I have been involved with a wide variety of players and teams from soccer schools, U7s to U18s, and Allied Counties in youth (boys & girls), the men’s, and women’s game.
How you can support: I am looking forward to the further opportunity for giveback, development, and mentoring best practices and to be able to positively affect the progression & development of W&G coaches, projects, and the game over the coming seasons.
Contact: Jonathan.Simmons2@TheFA.com
Robbie Blood
FA Coach Mentor Developer
Team you support: Spurs
A little bit about yourself: I have been coaching for over 15 years across age ranges from U7’s through to Senior football supporting the development of both male and female players. I have been working as a Coach Mentor for over 5 years supporting clubs and individuals across Middlesex. I have been a Chairman of a local club for 6 years and therefore understand the challenges and demands of being involved strategically and as a grassroots coach. I enjoy helping coaches to develop themselves along their football coaching journey utilising my knowledge of the game through experiences and coach education.
How you can support: The Mentor Developer role is to support the development of mentors in the England Football Accredited club network and to assist in offering more teams and pathways for the male, female, and disability game. I will spend time upskilling and enhancing individual mentoring skillsets in order to help coaches within their respective clubs, as well as support coach development with individuals alongside the County FA.
Contact: Robbie.Blood@TheFA.com
Dan Cannon
FA Community Champion for Women & Girls Football
Team you support: Tottenham Hotspur
A little bit about yourself: A little bit about yourself: Football obsessive with 2 football mad children. Love coaching my U8s at Dunstable Town & Wildcats group at Leighton Park Rangers.
How you can support: I can support clubs with most things from setting up tournaments to setting up Wildcats groups to helping with coaching and all in between, if I don’t know the answer I know someone who will!
Contact: Dan.Cannon@TheFA.com
For more details on FA Mentoring and how you can become a FA Mentor, please click here.