FA Coach Mentor Programme

Mentoring for coaches

This programme represents a major investment in the grassroots game and offers on-the-ground support to FA Charter Standard Clubs, leagues and target groups.

The FA sees the development of coaches as central to the development of the game, and working collaboratively accelerates learning and supports coaches’ development.

Our team of coach mentors are available to support you with any aspect of your coaching, whether you are unsure about your delivery, or want advice and support in gearing up for your Level 2 or UEFA B course. For a full list of areas the mentors can support you with, check out the FAQ "What support can they provide" below or watch this video.

Mentoring in Herefordshire

Here in the county we have 2 FA Coach Mentors supporting within the grassroots game, meet the team below. In 2018/19 the team delivered 186.5 hours representing an investment of £4662.50 to support grassroots coaches in Herefordshire.

For season 2019/20 we will be focussing our coach mentoring support in the following areas:

Qualification support – If you are due to attend a course or have recently attended a course and would like some help implementing the learning with your players.
Club Support – If you believe an FA Coach Mentor could support your club with developing a coach support system.
Coaching in the female game – If you are a female coach or a coach who works with female players and would like support with your coaching.

To register for support in any of the areas listed above please complete this form. All applications will be reviewed and we will respond in 14 days. If you have not heard back from us in 14 days

Register your interest

For all other enquiries please use the contact form below

Meet the Mentors

We are lucky enough to have two fantastic FA Coach Mentors working in Herefordshire, each with different backgrounds and a vast amount of coaching experience in all areas of the game. Between them our coach mentors will be able to provide tailored support to coaches and clubs, no matter what stage of their coaching development. Below our mentors introduce themselves so if you are interested in receiving mentoring and would like to take advantage of our mentors knowledge, read on and get in touch!

Darren Braithwaite

Qualifications: UEFA B Football & Futsal Coach with Youth Award

Hi, I’m Darren one of the two Coach Mentors working with Herefordshire FA to support their clubs and coaches! I have 20 years’ worth of coaching experience as well as working as a PE Teacher and Learning Manager.

I undertook my level 1 football qualification as part of a course at Sixth form College soon after leaving school. I then undertook my Level 2 whilst coaching and playing for University of Wales, Swansea First football team. During which time, I also gained invaluable experience coaching for a company called Soccer Academy in the United States. I undertook a PGCE in PE Teaching in 2003-2004 and took the school U13 and U18 team on as part of my first teaching job the year after.

Since moving back to Hereford in 2007, I have taught and coached football to 12- 16 year old players at Whitecross Hereford High School and, in 2012 I started up the youth section of Hereford Futsal Club, which has now progressed in to two parts, Hereford Futsal Club and Futsal Futures. I currently coach football and futsal to Minis (2-4 year olds - that's a new challenge!), U10, U11, U12, and U14 players.

I have worked with players from as young as 2 straight through to U18 and adult football and am able to support with both football and futsal coaching.

Email: Darren.Braithwaite@TheFA.com

Phone: 07894138282

Tom Mason

Qualifications: FA Level 2 (Currently taking UEFA B) with Youth Award

Tom is also a Coach Mentor working in Herefordshire and available to help you or coaches within your club! Tom has held various roles within Football, currently working for PACES having previously worked for the Football Association as an FA Skills coach and completing an apprenticeship with the Herefordshire FA. During this time he has built up a large amount of coaching experience working with a variety of age groups, with particular experience and knowledge of players and coaching in the foundation phase (ages 5-11)

Tom has completed a number of qualifications with the FA including his FA Level 2 & Youth Award and looks forward to completing his UEFA B whilst also being qualified to deliver Dodgeball and Multi Skills.

He enjoys Mentoring as it allows him to support others by sharing his knowledge and experience that he has gained from his own mentors.

Email: Tom.Mason@TheFA.com

Phone: 07528 888898

If you would prefer to register your interest in Coach Mentoring and for us to contact you, please fill out this short form!

Is there a cost involved?

No. The FA Coach Mentor programme is a free FA initiative where a Coach Mentor can offer up to 100 hours of support per season.

What Support can they provide

Mentoring support at a club could include:

Developing a whole club philosophy
Group coaching demonstrations
1:1 coaching, match-day observation and support
Signposting to relevant courses and events
Needs analysis for individual coaches
Modelling of coaching sessions for individual coaches
Individual feedback
An individual learning programme

Who can benefit most from Coach Mentor support?

Clubs that are keen to develop a positive coaching ethos, philosophy and develop their own in-house mentoring/coach support system.

Coaches can utilise this opportunity to start a legacy of positive coaching within their own clubs.

Who are the 'target' groups?

The FA Coach Mentor Programme is also committed to providing 5000 hours per season specifically to work with BAME, female and disabled coaches across the country.

If you are a BAME coach or working with BAME coaches/players and would like some support from one of our Coach Mentors, please contact Steve Smithies with your name, club name, age group and the County FA that you are affiliated to – steve.smithies@thefa.com.

If you are a female coach or working with female coaches/players and would like some support from one of our Coach Mentors, please contact Samantha Griffiths with your name, club name, age group and the County FA that you are affiliated to – samantha.griffiths@thefa.com.

If you are a coach with a disability and would like some support from one of our Coach Mentors, please contact Kevin England with your name, club name, age group and the County FA that you are affiliated to kevin.england@thefa.com.

What if I would like to be a mentor?

If you are interested in becoming an FA Coach Mentor please check our website for vacancies. If no vacancies are available contact the Regional Coach Mentor Officer in your region who can provide an update of the programme in and around your area.

Please note that there two application periods throughout the season - June and December.

Pre-requisites to become an FA Coach Mentor are: