Our experienced team of coaches constantly want to learn.  They realise that in this game you never stop learning.  So from continuing their coaching education through qualifications & travelling to top British & European Academies to being educated by top professional coaches being flown into Northern Ireland by TWAcademy.Org.  Our team is fresh with the best practice in developing your child in their football education.

I began playing for Saintfield United when I was 16 years old before moving onto Agape to play under Sam Watterson. It was the late Sam Watterson that got me involved in coaching, under his guidance I set up Castlereagh Colts for youth development to Agape.

I achieved my European B Licence while running Castlereagh Colts. As a team we achieved a lot, I organised games against Glasgow Rangers, Leeds United & we recorded a famous 2-0 win over Fulham on our weekend to London. Our goalkeeper, Ian Mannus, is now playing in the Irish League.

I then moved to play for Barnet in the Down Area League before going into coaching with Lisburn Distillery.

At Lisburn Distillery I ran the Under 18 side & completed my Advanced Coaching Licence. The 2003/2004 season seen me manage Lisburn Distillery reserve team & complete my European A Licence. I then had a stint at Crewe United as coach working alongside Glenn Hunter. I then spent a further 2 years implementing a successful Youth Academy at Lisburn Distillery before concentrating on the Mini Soccer Centres & developing football in the community!

As a player Ronnie played for Ards and was part of the team that won 4 trophies in one season. He was later transferred to Portadown where he captained the side and also had a spell playing for Cliftonville. He has won international honours at Youth and Inter-League level.

Ronnie's coaching / managerial roles have included Ards Rangers, Killyleagh, Loughgall, County Down Milk Cup Squad and for the last seven years he was Assistant Manager at Lisburn Distillery FC. He has also managed the Northern Ireland Junior International Team and holds his UEFA 'A' Licence.

Ronnie holds a dual role in the County Down Milk Cup set-up, where he is Vice-Chairman and Head Coach.

I began my football education at various soccer camps as a young boy in my home city of Hull.  This is where I fell in love with the sport playing anywhere I could.

Then in 1994 the opportunity to move to Blackpool came about.  My family & I re-located & that's where I played as a youth for Blackpool FC.  This also allowed me to represent the county at swimming & football.

After numerous years I got homesick my family moved back home.  I continued my education as well as playing football for the town until my later teens.

I have completed an AVCE Leisure & Recreation & a Degree in Sport & Adventure Management.  Also at this time I captained the college football team & won honours such as the English Colleges' League.  I had the privilege of working with Ray McHale, who was invaluable in teaching me more about myself as a player & a coach.

I worked through my coaching badges, child protection, first aid & gained experience in the football coaching industry at the academy.

The college is also where I met my partner, Jennifer.  Jen & I set up home near Hull.  This allowed easy access to work & wasn't far from the team, Westella Willerby FC, where I continued to play my football for 2 seasons.  We gained promotion before leaving for Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland is originally home for Jen.  This is where I look forward to continue to coach & also further my career in football.

Andrew started playing football at the age of 10 for Windsor Youth. He then was selected to play for St Andrews & represented them in a tournament in California.

After playing for Hillsborough Boys, Andrew then played for Derriaghy. The Linfield goalkeeper, Alan Mannus, seen Andrew play & commented on his technical ability as a goalkeeper.

Andrew currently plays for Ballyclare Comrades. Part of his training schedule is one on one goalkeeper coaching. These skills will help develop Andrew as a player & young coach.

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