West Riding County Football Association - Soccer Elite Girls' Performance Development Centre

 

                                Steve Conboy – West Riding County FA, Women and Girls Football Development Officer

 

"The PDC offer at Marley Leisure centre, delivered by Mark Brier of Soccer Elite, with his coaching staff, provides opportunities for girls in the Craven region to further develop their football skills as a 'top-up' to what they receive at their grassroots club or school environment.   Girls attending, who show signs of Talent & Potential, have the opportunity to be referred to the FA's Discover My Talent programme which aims to identify talented players to be referred to the England Talent Pathway.   Having this form of provision and opportunities for girls in the Craven region is an important cog in the mission to discovering the next generation of Lionesses."

 

St Philips CE Primary School - Years' 3,4,5 & 6 Mixed Football Sessions

"Mark's coaching speaks for itself, but it's the person that he is that makes him stand out. Pupils from years gone by still approach Mark whenever they see him, and the respect they have for each other is still there for everyone to see. It's not only our pupil's footballing skills that develop under Mark, their confidence and enjoyment of football grows week on week under his sessions. A huge thank you!"

 

                               Darren Kinder - Class Teacher and PE Provision, St Phillips

 

Skipton Juniors FC and Skipton Schools - Mentoring Coaches and u8s-u11s Girls Sessions

"Mark Brier is an outstanding coach who I have worked with in both school football sessions and club football; Mark has acted as a mentor for coaches at Skipton Juniors FC, where he has delivered top quality football sessions which are exciting, engaging and have a very positive learning environment for the participants. Mark is a coach that is striving to develop his own learning as well as the learning of fellow coaches and the players Mark works with. Mark is a creative coach who is continually developing his own skills; he is an excellent mentor and outstanding coach for players who are truly inspired to develop their skills as a result of Mark’s work."

 

                               Katie Hoggarth - School Sport Co-ordinator (Skipton)

 

Hebden Bridge Saints FC The Rams, u7s - Mixed Squad Coaching and Coach Mentoring

"Mark is a making a really big difference to our under 7s team, teaching them new skills and developing them as a squad, and as individual players. His energy and passion is motivating the children, delivering sessions that are useful and really good fun. Mark's experience of coaching and football is ensuring the squad is both developing as a team and learning about competition and motivation in sport. Mark has also made a big difference to the coaches and manager too.  We are watching and learning from him as he teaches the players how to get the most from their training and being in a football team. It is an absolute pleasure to work with him." 

 

                               Claire Hargreaves - Manager, Hebden Bridge Saints FC 

 

Illingworth St. Mary's FC - Open Age Premier League Team, Calderdale - Pre Season Squad Sessions

"We hired Mark to take 2 pre season training sessions on the 3G at Trinity Academy. These sessions were extremely well structured and put together. Although Mark had us all working hard it was made to be fun, this kept all the lads interested and working. His knowledge and advice was second to non and has given us drills and techniques to take away to use ourselves. We could immediately tell the difference from our normal sessions and as a club we would 100% recommend Mark. We will be back again next year!"

 

                                       Scott Hamilton (Illingworth St Marys FC)

 

Meanwood Primary School, Leeds - Year 5/6 Squad Coaching

"Our school has been working with Mark for almost two years now and it has been an utter pleasure to do so. Our year 6 football team has come on leaps and bounds since he first began to work with them creating a series of coaching sessions that are appropriate for the players ability both technically and psychologically. The kids thoroughly enjoy the sessions he creates and have learnt to understand the game in much greater depth with plenty of time to reflect and review as well as just playing. I continue to look forward to working with Mark in the future."

 

                                Tom Platt - Teacher

 

Parkside School, Keighley - Summer Transition Days

"Mark worked with our students as part of our transition programme for Y6's going into Y7. Mark's enthusiasm and understanding of how to engage and motivate young people is 2nd to none - as a result of

his captivating approach all of our students responded positively to Mark and made excellent progress. Most importantly they all enjoyed taking part and had fun whilst learning new skills. Mark has the ability to bring out the very best in people and I would highly recommend him as a coach and would welcome him back to Parkside at any time."

 

                                        Joanne Sykes - Assistant Head Teacher, Parkside School - Cullingworth

 

Priesthorpe School, Pudsey - Year 7-10 Girls' Football Sessions

'We really love to have Mark here at Priesthorpe. He has taught me lots of new skills and I love coming to this club'. (Student)

 

'I really enjoy football now and I have made lots of new friends playing after school'. (Student)

 

'Priesthorpe girls Yr7-10 have really benefited from having Mark come in and coach football with them after school. The club has grown over the weeks and it is obvious from their faces the enjoyment and satisfaction they are getting from learning new skills and playing football together'.

 

                                        Jess Bicknell, Assistant Head of PE, Priesthorpe School 

 

Halifax High School - Sportivate

"Mark has been in charge of our year 10 girls and boys football teams who wanted to take part in more football and participate in a competition at the end of the training sessions which lasted for six weeks.  The students attended the sessions and they were really keen to take part and try their best. Mark was keen and enthusiastic in his delivery of the sessions which made them appealing to both boys and girls. The sessions were planned and delivered to a high standard and suited each gender specific group.  Mark coached the groups and completed a variety of skills and techniques. This enhanced the skill level of the groups and improved their teamwork skills which then progressed into playing games. Both groups were really keen to play games and competitions and they felt prepared to do so after the coaching sessions. The sessions provided a brilliant atmosphere for our students and kept them engaged and on task. All students really liked Mark coaching them and they looked forward to the weekly sessions and attended every week.  Thank you Mark!"

 

                                   Jo Waites, Head of PPE, HALIFAX High at Wellesley Park

 

The Greetland Academy - Primary School

“I wanted to let you know what a great job Mark Brier has done at Greetland Academy with the girls’ football on Wednesday afternoon's. We have many external coaches coming to deliver extra-curricular activities and Mark is up there with the best. His enthusiasm was infective with the girls and his organisation demonstrates high professionalism. We're going to have him back running regular football clubs. Please pass on our thanks and gratitude.”

 

                                   Steve Potter, Year 6, The Greetland Academy, Halifax

 

Bingley Grammar - Sportivate Girls' Football Sessions

"Mark has been running our girls Football sessions after school. His enthusiastic manner and his fun approach has meant that our girls have thoroughly enjoyed the sessions. Mark is enthusiastic, approachable and extremely passionate about Football and this spreads on the people he is coaching. We have loved having Mark working with us and would highly recommend him to anyone. Thanks Mark!"

 

                                    Holly Iles, PE Co-ordinator, Bingley Grammar School

 

Dixons Allerton Academy - Sportivate

“Mark was an excellent facilitator for our Post-16 football team. He coached a group who had previously only played 5-a-side and were getting beaten by double figures, into a team that understood and could play 11-a-side and improved every match. Mark was an excellent asset to our team.  Not only is he highly knowledgeable but he ran sessions which everyone enjoyed wholeheartedly”.

                                   Patrick Kennedy - Teacher, Allerton Academy

 

 

Bradford District Pupil Referral Unit - FA Mash Up - Mixed Youth Football Sessions

Soccer Elite provide weekly training sessions for students from a wide range of backgrounds across the Bradford District.  The emphasis of the sessions is on football and a range of leadership skills by encouraging students to develop teamwork in conjunction with a positive attitude.  Students take responsibility for their actions, and participating constructively; over time they learn to take responsibility for leading and organising sessions, including designing the session, health and safety aspects and leading others.

The specific outcomes of the course are:

 

Planning, preparing and assisting a simple sporting activity

Basic communication skills for leading a sporting activity

Principles and practice in delivering a basic health and fitness session

Understanding fair play in sport

Understanding the role of the sports official

Understanding the scope of local sport and recreational activity

Demonstration of leadership skills in sport

 

Some students use the sessions to provide evidence for a range of different Certification in Sport and Active Leisure.

                             

                             John Kane, Head of Bradford PRU 

 

North Halifax Grammar School - Sportivate

“Mark came into The North Halifax Grammar School and worked with 25 of our Year 11 students over 8 weeks, with the aim of delivering coaching sessions and preparing them for a 'team 16' competition to be held at Calderdale College. This was all arranged through the West Riding County FA. The pupils were not playing football for school or local clubs and Mark was excellent in the way he delivered the sessions and in his whole approach to the pupils. His energy, enthusiasm and knowledge was clear to see and all pupils progressed, as the skills/drills/game situations were clearly matched to the individual’s needs. Having prepared the pupils so well, one of the teams finished runners-up in the competition. They had organised their team selection, warm up, tactics and strategies by themselves and this was all thanks to the work Mark had done with them. Thank you on behalf of NHGS.”

                                   

                                   Warren Doyle - Teacher of PE, NHGS

 

Bradford Academy High School - Sportivate

"Soccer Elite Coaching delivered 8 weeks of high quality football sessions to our year 11 and post 16 school football team. Mark's passion and enthusiasm for the game was second to none and during his time here, participation increased massively. The thing that I was most impressed with was that the sessions didn't just develop the lad's football skills but also their life skills such as respect and discipline. Mark's approach was firstly to develop the lads as people and then secondly develop them as footballers. Mark developed a rapport with the players and it was a shame to see him go after the sessions came to an end".

 

                                   Anthony White - PE Teacher, Bradford Academy

West Riding County Football Association - Coaching in Schools, Clubs & Sports Centres 

“Mark has been delivering coaching sessions as part of our 2014 Join Our Club programme. The programme is designed to build sustainable partnerships between schools, colleges and Charter Standard Clubs to increase the number of young players accessing quality opportunities leading to the long-term objective of generating additional or new teams within a Charter Standard Club setting.  Mark has delivered in a number of schools on behalf of grassroots clubs to achieve the aims of the Join Our Club programme and specifically to increase the number of female players at grassroots clubs. Mark is a fantastic coach. He is friendly, reliable and flexible to ensure he can deliver projects to the best of his ability. We will continue to work with Mark and look forward to supporting new teams through the fantastic work he is delivering”.

 

                                Caroline Hulme – West Riding County FA, Women and Girls Football Development Officer

 

St Philips CE Primary School - Years' 3,4,5 & 6 Mixed Football Sessions

"Mark's coaching speaks for itself, but it's the person that he is that makes him stand out. Pupils from years gone by still approach Mark whenever they see him, and the respect they have for each other is still there for everyone to see. It's not only our pupil's footballing skills that develop under Mark, their confidence and enjoyment of football grows week on week under his sessions. A huge thank you!"

 

                               Darren Kinder - Class Teacher and PE Provision, St Phillips

 

Skipton Juniors FC and Skipton Schools - Mentoring Coaches and u8s-u11s Girls Sessions

"Mark Brier is an outstanding coach who I have worked with in both school football sessions and club football; Mark has acted as a mentor for coaches at Skipton Juniors FC, where he has delivered top quality football sessions which are exciting, engaging and have a very positive learning environment for the participants. Mark is a coach that is striving to develop his own learning as well as the learning of fellow coaches and the players Mark works with. Mark is a creative coach who is continually developing his own skills; he is an excellent mentor and outstanding coach for players who are truly inspired to develop their skills as a result of Mark’s work."

 

                               Katie Hoggarth - School Sport Co-ordinator (Skipton)

 

Hebden Bridge Saints FC The Rams, u7s - Mixed Squad Coaching and Coach Mentoring

"Mark is a making a really big difference to our under 7s team, teaching them new skills and developing them as a squad, and as individual players. His energy and passion is motivating the children, delivering sessions that are useful and really good fun. Mark's experience of coaching and football is ensuring the squad is both developing as a team and learning about competition and motivation in sport. Mark has also made a big difference to the coaches and manager too.  We are watching and learning from him as he teaches the players how to get the most from their training and being in a football team. It is an absolute pleasure to work with him." 

 

                               Claire Hargreaves - Manager, Hebden Bridge Saints FC 

 

Illingworth St. Mary's FC - Open Age Premier League Team, Calderdale - Pre Season Squad Sessions

"We hired Mark to take 2 pre season training sessions on the 3G at Trinity Academy. These sessions were extremely well structured and put together. Although Mark had us all working hard it was made to be fun, this kept all the lads interested and working. His knowledge and advice was second to non and has given us drills and techniques to take away to use ourselves. We could immediately tell the difference from our normal sessions and as a club we would 100% recommend Mark. We will be back again next year!"

 

                                       Scott Hamilton (Illingworth St Marys FC)

 

Meanwood Primary School, Leeds - Year 5/6 Squad Coaching

"Our school has been working with Mark for almost two years now and it has been an utter pleasure to do so. Our year 6 football team has come on leaps and bounds since he first began to work with them creating a series of coaching sessions that are appropriate for the players ability both technically and psychologically. The kids thoroughly enjoy the sessions he creates and have learnt to understand the game in much greater depth with plenty of time to reflect and review as well as just playing. I continue to look forward to working with Mark in the future."

 

                                Tom Platt - Teacher

 

Parkside School, Keighley - Summer Transition Days

"Mark worked with our students as part of our transition programme for Y6's going into Y7. Mark's enthusiasm and understanding of how to engage and motivate young people is 2nd to none - as a result of

his captivating approach all of our students responded positively to Mark and made excellent progress. Most importantly they all enjoyed taking part and had fun whilst learning new skills. Mark has the ability to bring out the very best in people and I would highly recommend him as a coach and would welcome him back to Parkside at any time."

 

                                        Joanne Sykes - Assistant Head Teacher, Parkside School - Cullingworth

 

Priesthorpe School, Pudsey - Year 7-10 Girls' Football Sessions

'We really love to have Mark here at Priesthorpe. He has taught me lots of new skills and I love coming to this club'. (Student)

 

'I really enjoy football now and I have made lots of new friends playing after school'. (Student)

 

'Priesthorpe girls Yr7-10 have really benefited from having Mark come in and coach football with them after school. The club has grown over the weeks and it is obvious from their faces the enjoyment and satisfaction they are getting from learning new skills and playing football together'.

 

                                        Jess Bicknell, Assistant Head of PE, Priesthorpe School 

 

Halifax High School - Sportivate

"Mark has been in charge of our year 10 girls and boys football teams who wanted to take part in more football and participate in a competition at the end of the training sessions which lasted for six weeks.  The students attended the sessions and they were really keen to take part and try their best. Mark was keen and enthusiastic in his delivery of the sessions which made them appealing to both boys and girls. The sessions were planned and delivered to a high standard and suited each gender specific group.  Mark coached the groups and completed a variety of skills and techniques. This enhanced the skill level of the groups and improved their teamwork skills which then progressed into playing games. Both groups were really keen to play games and competitions and they felt prepared to do so after the coaching sessions. The sessions provided a brilliant atmosphere for our students and kept them engaged and on task. All students really liked Mark coaching them and they looked forward to the weekly sessions and attended every week.  Thank you Mark!"

 

                                   Jo Waites, Head of PPE, HALIFAX High at Wellesley Park

 

The Greetland Academy - Primary School

“I wanted to let you know what a great job Mark Brier has done at Greetland Academy with the girls’ football on Wednesday afternoon's. We have many external coaches coming to deliver extra-curricular activities and Mark is up there with the best. His enthusiasm was infective with the girls and his organisation demonstrates high professionalism. We're going to have him back running regular football clubs. Please pass on our thanks and gratitude.”

 

                                   Steve Potter, Year 6, The Greetland Academy, Halifax

 

Bingley Grammar - Sportivate Girls' Football Sessions

"Mark has been running our girls Football sessions after school. His enthusiastic manner and his fun approach has meant that our girls have thoroughly enjoyed the sessions. Mark is enthusiastic, approachable and extremely passionate about Football and this spreads on the people he is coaching. We have loved having Mark working with us and would highly recommend him to anyone. Thanks Mark!"

 

                                    Holly Iles, PE Co-ordinator, Bingley Grammar School

 

Dixons Allerton Academy - Sportivate

“Mark was an excellent facilitator for our Post-16 football team. He coached a group who had previously only played 5-a-side and were getting beaten by double figures, into a team that understood and could play 11-a-side and improved every match. Mark was an excellent asset to our team.  Not only is he highly knowledgeable but he ran sessions which everyone enjoyed wholeheartedly”.

                                   Patrick Kennedy - Teacher, Allerton Academy

 

 

Bradford District Pupil Referral Unit - FA Mash Up - Mixed Youth Football Sessions

Soccer Elite provide weekly training sessions for students from a wide range of backgrounds across the Bradford District.  The emphasis of the sessions is on football and a range of leadership skills by encouraging students to develop teamwork in conjunction with a positive attitude.  Students take responsibility for their actions, and participating constructively; over time they learn to take responsibility for leading and organising sessions, including designing the session, health and safety aspects and leading others.

The specific outcomes of the course are:

 

Planning, preparing and assisting a simple sporting activity

Basic communication skills for leading a sporting activity

Principles and practice in delivering a basic health and fitness session

Understanding fair play in sport

Understanding the role of the sports official

Understanding the scope of local sport and recreational activity

Demonstration of leadership skills in sport

 

Some students use the sessions to provide evidence for a range of different Certification in Sport and Active Leisure.

                             

                             John Kane, Head of Bradford PRU 

 

North Halifax Grammar School - Sportivate

“Mark came into The North Halifax Grammar School and worked with 25 of our Year 11 students over 8 weeks, with the aim of delivering coaching sessions and preparing them for a 'team 16' competition to be held at Calderdale College. This was all arranged through the West Riding County FA. The pupils were not playing football for school or local clubs and Mark was excellent in the way he delivered the sessions and in his whole approach to the pupils. His energy, enthusiasm and knowledge was clear to see and all pupils progressed, as the skills/drills/game situations were clearly matched to the individual’s needs. Having prepared the pupils so well, one of the teams finished runners-up in the competition. They had organised their team selection, warm up, tactics and strategies by themselves and this was all thanks to the work Mark had done with them. Thank you on behalf of NHGS.”

                                   

                                   Warren Doyle - Teacher of PE, NHGS

 

Bradford Academy High School - Sportivate

"Soccer Elite Coaching delivered 8 weeks of high quality football sessions to our year 11 and post 16 school football team. Mark's passion and enthusiasm for the game was second to none and during his time here, participation increased massively. The thing that I was most impressed with was that the sessions didn't just develop the lad's football skills but also their life skills such as respect and discipline. Mark's approach was firstly to develop the lads as people and then secondly develop them as footballers. Mark developed a rapport with the players and it was a shame to see him go after the sessions came to an end".

 

                                   Anthony White - PE Teacher, Bradford Academy

Sikh Sports UK

Providing Community Coaching

 

“The sessions at the Ramgarhia Centre have been full of enthusiasm, and the skills sessions provided by Soccer Elite have been more than educational for the boys and the parents involved. The one to one engagement provided by Soccer Elite provides the best in the development of skills.”

 

                                    Jas Sambhi – Sikh Sports, Leeds

Brighouse Juniors FC

Mentoring

 

Chairman Ian Addy’s comments on our Mentoring Service:

 

“Soccer Elite’s knowledge of football coaching, player development and communication skills has been a great help to the Managers and Assistants of the teams Mark has worked with so far.  All involved have enjoyed the input, including the players and parents. “

“It’s good also to be able to offer players the chance to try Soccer Elite’s Saturday sessions too as and when appropriate…”

Sporting Equals

Delivering Funded Community Coaching Projects

 

"Mark has done a fantastic job delivering on our projects in Yorkshire. Sporting Equals aims to increase sports participation amongst minority communities, many who have never had access to any proper coaching. The feedback from the participants has been fantastic and has inspired them to pursue both playing and coaching. We hope to continue to work with Mark and Soccer Elite with projects in the future."

 

                                    Umar Ahmed - Partnership Officer, Sporting Equals

Tingley Athletic FC

Manager and Coach Mentoring plus Squad Coaching

 

“Soccer Elite’s knowledge of football coaching, enthusiasm and communication skills has got the very best out of our boys. We’ve all enjoyed it, including the parents. A few of our players have been regularly to Soccer Elite’s Saturday sessions too…”

 

Mick Asquith, Team Manager, Tingley Athletic U7s & U14s

Eccleshill Utd Juniors

Squad Coaching and Saturday Mornings

 

Nigel Wood, a former Eccleshill Utd Junior Manager said “Soccer Elite’s coaching helped to bring the very best out of our young footballers. We saw remarkable progress in the performance of all of our players after Mark started coaching us. The team spirit and the players’ general belief ¡n their own ability were greatly improved. The personal, individual attention paid to the lads during training helped the all of them and some of our more skilled players moved from being good, keen Sunday league players, to being potential professional players of the future. As part of the coaching assignment, the squad also attended Soccer Elite’s Saturday morning sessions, to help us assess their individual progress alongside similar aged players. The club was delighted with the results and Nigel added “Indeed no less than four of our squad members were chosen to play for Bradford Schoolboys. One of the four was subsequently signed by Bradford City. My job as an EccIeshill United Team Manager was to develop young players. This was made much easier as a result of working with Mark.”

 

Batley Juniors FC

Coaching Support for all Squads