MEET THE COACHES!
Head Coach
Full Name: Raymond Franco
Hobbies and Interests:
Coaching Football, Watching football and planning sessions for the upcoming week ahead,
Fact about yourself:
I currently work full time as an IT Professional. However, over the last 5 years since the start of my coaching journey, I have completely fallen in love with coaching and because of this I am now actively pursueing further education in football as well as trying to better myself. I am a qualified coach with a huge passion for coaching. As well as this, I am also a full time dad to two energetic children.
Favourite Football Team:
Liverpool / Woking FC
Favourite colour:
Black
Favourite Upskill Football Coaching session?:
ANYTHING rondos and SSGs. Rondos and SSGs are fast paced and can simulate almost any “in-game” scenario and is actively used by many top level academies and clubs in the world.
Why do you love being a coach for Upskill Football Coaching?
That feeling you get from watching young children grow, in ability and confidence is incredible. When you’re constantly trying to teach a child how to dribble with multiple parts of their foot and suddenly, they just click and then they realise what they’re doing! WOW! What a feeling!
Outfield Coach
Full Name: Stefan “Vlad” van Wijngaarden
Hobbies and Interests:
Football, gym, athletics, cycling, reading, learning, teaching.
Fact about yourself:
I can solve multiple rubix cubes. Including the 12 sided dodecahedron in under 7 minutes. I can do a backflip wherever. I’m left footed but right handed
Favourite Football Team:
Woking FC
Favourite colour:
Blue
Favourite Upskill Football Coaching session:
Passing patterns. It’s the fundamentals of football, whatever level you play at, being great in these will help
Why do you love being a coach for Upskill Football Coaching?
I’m analytical. I can see players’ potential, and what they can add to their game, and I enjoy helping players implement and improve..
Goalkeeper Coach
Full Name: Tim Pankhurst
Hobbies and Interests:
Football, Fishing and Family
Fact about yourself:
I’ve worked in the constrcution industry since school, I have also owned my own business for 3 years now. I have three children 1 girl and 2 boys. I have been coaching for just over a year taking my under 7s grassroots side through the Surrey Youth league Elite Division unbeaten.
Favourite Football Team:
Arsenal (Up the gunners)
Favourite colour:
Red
Favourite Upskill Football Coaching session?:
Goalkeepr wars, two goals opposite each other goalkeeper in each who can score the most goals in 5/10 mins playing time.
Why do you love being a coach for Upskill Football Coaching?
I want to give back to the children what I was given as a child. Football brings the best out of kids, whether being ability or confidence in everyday life. It really is the best sport in the world.
Outfield Coach
Full Name: Troy
Hobbies and Interests:
Fact about yourself:
Favourite Football Team:
Favourite colour:
Favourite Upskill Football Coaching session?:
Why do you love being a coach for Upskill Football Coaching?
Coaching Assistant
Full Name: Eduard van Wijngaarden
Hobbies and Interests:
Football, Mountain biking , gym
Fact about yourself:
I am very passionate about mountain bikes and building them, and I am a qualified FA football referee
Favourite Football Team:
Chelsea
Favourite colour:
Purple
Favourite Upskill Football Coaching session?:
I’m still new to coaching, so I don’t really have a favourite session. It’s all really fun for me.
Why do you love being a coach for Upskill Football Coaching?
Developing the players and seeing them improve every session