The role of the Skills Coach is both wide and varied, providing millions of children across the country with expert coaching, whilst also supporting the delivery of teachers, Charter Standard Club Coaches and young leaders. The Skills Coaches are leading experts in working with 5-11 year old players and all hold their UEFA B Coaching License and The FA Youth Awards, Module One and Two.
Here in Durham County, the six FA Skills Coaches are required to work one evening per week with a Charter Standard Club, delivering a 5-10 week coaching programme for the players, whilst also supporting the delivery of the coaches, offering expert advice and guidance.
Over recent years, the Skills Coaches have each been allocated a number of Charter Standard Clubs to work with. However, due to the increasing demand, the team are now offering support to any Charter Standard Club within the County.
If you or your club would like to be supported by one of the Skills Coaches, please contact one of the team from the list below. Please make reference to the district covered by the Skills Coach and the evening they are available to support. Where possible please contact the coach who is located nearest to your club. If this coach is unable to support due to their work load, they will endeavour to point you in the direction of the most appropriate coach.
FA Skills Coaches
Name: Stephen Connolly
District Covered: Stockton
Evening available for support: Wednesday / Thursday
Contact number: 07943 862277
Contact email: Stephen.Connolly@TheFA.com
Name: Richard Shuffleton
District Covered: Sedgefield and Wear Valley
Evening available for support: Friday
Contact number: 07943 862273
Contact email: Richard.Shuffleton@TheFA.com
Name: Robbie Pringle
District Covered: Gateshead
Evening available for support: Thursday
Contact number: 07943 862272
Contact email: Robbie.Pringle@TheFA.com
Name: Ian Raine
District Covered: Sunderland
Evening available for support: Tuesday / Thursday
Contact number: 07943 862275
Contact email: Ian.Raine@TheFA.com
Name: Graeme Carrick
District Covered: Durham City
Evening available for support: Wednesday / Friday
Contact number: 07943 862276
Contact email: Graeme.Carrick@TheFA.com
Name: Jamie Williams
District Covered: South Tyneside
Evening available for support: Tuesday / Thursday
Contact number: 07939 553363
Contact email: Jamie.Williams@TheFA.com