The Squad
The Squad…
Brian Dawson: Head Coach & Area Manager Copeland.
Brian has a proud history in the Sports Industry, starting off as a semi-pro footballer both in the UK with Barrow, Workington and Kendal Town and also Stateside with the Wilmington Hammerheads of North Carolina. Brian has extensive coaching experience in the UK establishing Onside Soccer Coaching in 2004 and working for Carlisle United Football Club within their Academy system, Brian has also worked in the US for Smart Soccer and Seacoast United.
Coaching Qualifications– Level 3 FA (UEFA B) Qualified, FA Youth Award, PE Level 3 Award, Multi Skills Level 2.
brian@onsidesportscoaching.co.uk
Gavin Butler: Area Manager South Lakes.
Gav has managed the South Lakes region for the last three years and continues to develop fantastic partnerships in the borough. Having played for the area’s top amateur football teams Gav knows all about the secrets to success, “dedication, enjoyment and motivation are the key principles to being a successful sports person”. All Gav’s sessions are therefore focused on achieving success, steadily improving and most importantly…enjoying yourself. “The more children enjoy something the more they want to do it, sport is no different, it should be focused but fun!”
Coaching experience– UEFA B Qualified, Gavin has coached for several years gaining essential experience working in local primary schools. Other qualifications include Futsal, Multi Skills, Dodgeball, FA Age Appropriate, First Aid, Safeguarding Children certificates also Gavin is a member of the FACA and fully CRB checked.
gavin@onsidesportscoaching.co.uk
Andrew Knowles: Senior Coach – Copeland
Andrew or Bud has joined the Onside team full time after completing both his undergrad and Masters Sports Coaching Degree’s at UCLAN. Like Gary, Andrew has spent time both within the USA and Canada developing his coaching skills. Andrew’s coaching philosophy focuses around the important of fundamental movements and positive youth sport development with the focus being on having fun and staying fit and healthy. Andrew currently plays football for Bootle AFC and is an occasional rugby and cricket player with varying success!
Coaching Experience:
Andrew has coaching qualifications in football and basketball in addition to being a level 2 Gym Instructor, a school swimming teacher and rescuer and has an Undergraduate and Masters degree in Sports Coaching. Andrew is also CRB checked with First Aid, Safeguarding Children certificates and is a member of the FA licensed coaches club.
Sporting Hero: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Paul Scholes and Stuart Lancaster, due to the commitment and drive shown to become the elite people that they are.
Favourite Sports Team: Man Utd, Whitehaven RL and the mighty Bootle AFC
Proudest Sporting Moment: Representing the district and County at junior football
Most Embarrassing Sporting Moment: Every time I enter the oppositions penalty box, fall to pieces every time!
bud@onsidesportscoaching.co.uk
Andrew Marshall: Senior Coach – Copeland
Despite his youthful looks and baby face, Andrew or Marshy is an old head when it comes to working at Onside as after Brian Andrew is the longest serving member of staff. He has also managed to squeeze in a summer coaching in America for Challenger Sports to further develop his coaching skills, and is popular with kids and parents alike. Although his main sport to coach is football, Andrew has been enjoying covering gymnastics in PE, particularly when he gets to demonstrate himself! Due to a serious knee injury Andrew cannot play football at present but is assistant manager at Bootle AFC and plays cricket for Gosforth CC
Coaching Experience:
Andrew has coaching qualifications in football and is in the process of becoming a level 2 football coach. Andrew is also CRB checked with First Aid, Safeguarding Children certificates and is a member of the FA licensed coaches club.
Sporting Hero: Fellow coach and best friend Andrew Knowles and Cristiano Ronaldo, due to there supreme skills and determination to be the best
Favourite Sports Team: Man Utd
Proudest Sporting Moment: Getting to pull on a Bootle shirt and sit next to Bud in the changing rooms every week
Most Embarrassing Sporting Moment: The occasional missed penalty and scuffed one on one chance
Tom Wilkinson: Senior Coach – Millom
Tom has been working under the guidance of Brian in and around Millom for over a year now, quickly picking up new skills and becoming a high quality coach. Toms coaching philosophy centers around getting kids up and moving and making sure thy are having fun while doing it. Tom also is a keen cricketer for Millom CC, arguable Onside’s top golfer and occasional footballer when his knees allow it
Coaching Experience:
Tom is currently a level 2 dodgeball coach and is in the process of completing his level 1 in football and spent many hours helping Millom schools PE department out while still in the sixth form.
Sporting Hero: Rio Ferdinand legend of the game and his ability to read play
Favourite Sports Team: Man Utd,
Proudest Sporting Moment: motm against Everton youth academy and player of the league twice.
Most Embarrassing Sporting Moment: Out for a golden duck in vigodny cup cricket final!