Coaching

Unlike most youth football clubs, Raiders provides a professional coaching set up that delivers regular training sessions and support for the parent managers. We aim to provide every Raiders player with the best possible learning environment along with the essential ingredient of having FUN.

Steve McHugh is the Raiders Head Coach. Managers can discuss training sessions required for their teams and feedback relevant information on how their team is playing in matches to enable the correct sessions to be planned.

Jo Williams is Head of Coach for the Raiders Girls and oversees coaching plans and player development for the girls She also supports, develops and advises the parent volunteers who manage the girls at the weekend matches. By observing and supporting Saturday morning matches Jo will identify key areas of focus that will be reflected back in the girls’ Monday training plans.

Each age/group or team has an allocated Raiders coach, in addition to the FA Level 1 qualified Team Manager (usually a parent). Training facilities are provided throughout the season and are based at BerkoAstro at Ashlyns School.  Goalkeeping training is also provided. Training sessions are not carried out during the school holidays.

All managers have free access to The Coaching Manual , an online resource providing guidance on coaching and drills.

We also provide soccer drills on the Raiders Youtube channel.

Coaching timetable

All Raiders coaching sessions take place on the BerkoAstro 3G at Ashlyns School.

Saturday

U7 Boys and Girls 8.30-9.30am
U8 Boys 9.30-10.30am
U9 Boys 10.30-11.30am
U10 Boys 11.30-12.30pm

Monday

U8 Girls 5-6pm
U9 Girls 5-6pm
U10 Girls 5-6pm
U11 Girls 6-7pm
U12 Girls 6-7pm
U13 Girls 6-7pm
U14 Girls 6-7pm
Walking football 7-8pm (indoors in Ashlyns Sports Centre)

Tuesday

U15 Boys 6-7pm
U16 Boys 7-8pm
U18 Boys 8-9pm
Walking football 7-8pm

Thursday

U11 Boys 5-6pm
U12 Boys 6-7pm
U13 Boys 7-8pm
U14 Boys 8-9pm

Friday

Ladies 6-7pm