Foot-Tech Academy

This month we're saying goodbye to one of our own.

After nearly 7 years, Dan is moving on, and he's going to be missed more than he knows 😭

Dan is one of those rare coaches who knows the game inside out, the technical detail, the why behind everything, but who can take all of that and deliver it in a way a seven year old just gets.

That's a genuine gift, and it's not one many people have.

The kids he coaches love his sessions and they learn so much.

He's been an incredible asset to this team. Committed, every single week. Brilliant with the children and the kind of coach every football school wishes they had more of.

Now he's off to Manchester to start his career as a teacher, and those pupils are getting someone special...

But if we have our way, we're hoping he'll be setting up a Foot-Tech of his own across the Pennines before too long 🤞

Dan, thank you for your commitment and for everything you gave the kids here.

You'll always be one of us 👊

Dan will be around at his sessions until the end of July so make sure to say your goodbyes before he leaves.

Due to the Roundhay Festival our Soldiers Fields sessions will be moving to John Smeaton Leisure Centre on the 4th July.

Our indoor sessions at St Edmunds are running as normal but please plan ahead as there are some road closures.

A decade of Mr Craig Nicholson 🙌

Today Craig celebrates 10 years as a Foot-Tech coach and we want to say a huge thank you to him for all his work during that time.

Craig has been a massive part of Foot-Tech and is a firm favourite of many past and present players.

We're proud to have him with us and even prouder that he has been with us so long.

Thanks for all you have done to help Foot-Tech and the players you work with, Craig.

Here's to many more years ⚽️

No sessions tonight - come on England!!!

Parents, check your emails to book a make-up session.

5 things that make a great football coach...and it's not what you think.

When we first started out, we thought a great coach was the one with the most qualifications, the most football knowledge, the best drills.

Years on, we've realised that's just not true. The best coaches we've ever had didn't always know the most about the game. What made the difference was how they were with the players.

Here's what they actually do.

➡️ They talk less
They guide and encourage rather than instructing every five seconds, because a child who's told what to do constantly never learns to think for themselves.

➡️ They let mistakes happen.
Mistakes are where real learning lives. If a child never gets it wrong, they're never being stretched.

➡️ They treat every child as an individual.
They ask how your child is, what they did at school, they make them feel seen. That one thing makes a huge difference.

➡️ They let them play.
Free play is where confidence and creativity grow, so they stand back and let the game breathe.

➡️ They're patient.
They never write off the late developers or the kids who are behind. Development isn't linear, and the child who's behind at eight is often flying by twelve, if someone gives them time and encouragement.

None of that needs a single qualification. It just needs the right person.

So if your child has a coach who does these things, hold onto them, they're worth their weight in gold ⚽️

What a milestone for Oliver...

We want to say a massive well done to Oliver Cooper who this month celebrated 10 years as a Foot-Tech member 🙌

Think he was about 4 when he joined and it's been brilliant to see him grow up into a top young man who still absolutely loves his football.

For his anniversary prize he chose a one to one session which he did before his group session at the weekend - love it 💪

Oliver, we're proud to have coached you for so long and we'll continue to help you with your football for as long as you need us. Well done mate ⚽️