David Blakely
Teacher
Newry,Co. Down
Summary
I am a committed, driven and patient person with a passion for football coaching in all its varied forms. I have been coaching for 15+ years to date and currently coaching for Glenavon Academy and have been for the last 10+ years. I am currently run my own football organisation – DB Coaching. Additionally, I am still playing for my local club and have done for 20+ years – Moneyslane FC (Mid Ulster League).
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Head Football Coach
Glenavon Academy
01.2015 - 05.2026
- Assistant Coach Under 14’s from January 2015 – July 2015.
- Shield Winners Foyle Cup, 2015 with Glenavon Under 14’s.
- Under 10s Head Coach 16/17 season.
- Under 11s Head coach 20/21 season.
- Under 12s Head Coach 21/22 season.
- Under 13s Head Coach 22/23 season.
- Under 14s Head Coach 23/24 season.
- Under 15s Head Coach 24/25 season.
Head of Foundation Phase
Glenavon Academy
01.2021 - 05.2026
- Co-ordinate coaching content, rotation of coaches, fixtures and in club events and tournaments.
- Deputy Child Protection Officer.
- In charge of coach education over 15 coaches to develop knowledge and skills to develop players.
- Recruitment of players within Foundation Phase.
- Liaise with parents and other clubs.
- Administration role to enroll new players and coaches as well as tracking attendance and analysing data.
Owner/Coach
DB Coaching
Rathfriland
08.2016 - 05.2026
- Currently run my own football coaching organisation.
- Working with primary school and high school students.
- Run various programs for boys and girls in the local community aged 4-14.
- Promote and organise various skill camps throughout the year (including holiday camps).
- 1-1 / small group programmes.
Head Coach
Evo Soccer Skills
05.2011 - 06.2014
- Developed organization and planning skills.
- Working with primary schools to provide skill and fundamentals through sport.
- Install confidence and self-belief in all individuals through the medium of sport.
Football Coach
Moneyslane Football Club
05.2011 - 06.2014
- Assisted and coached with various age groups between 4-15, both boys and girls.
Education
PGCE - Primary with speciality study in Religious Education
Ulster University
07-2018
BA (Hons) - Sport Theory and Practice
Ulster University
Jordanstown07-2017
BTEC Level 3 - Sport studies
Southern Regional College
Skills
- Coaching
- Communication Skills
- Off-pitch organisational Skills
- Teamwork
- Problem Solving
- Self-Motivation
Professional telephone etiquette
Problem-solving
Critical observation
Task collaboration
Strategic planning
Calm under pressure
Custom Section
Effectively using all my experiences in football coaching and my sports university degree to engage with players and adapting coaching sessions to allow individuals to realise their potential. Focused on improving players technically and tactically within the demands of the worldwide game, without losing focus on physicality and necessary mental discipline to succeed., As director of DB Coaching and Head of Foundation Phase at Glenavon Academy, I possess exceptional communication skills to deal with members of the public, parents and players of all ages on a daily basis., Effectively organising and managing my life with educational studies, running my own coaching organisation and leisure activities outside of work and education. Through running my own coaching business, it is important to effectively manage session planning and promoting upcoming events effectively in good time. Additionally, managing coaches that are used to help facilitate the sessions., Naturally possess good teamwork skills with work colleagues to focus on task and complete it as a whole, especially when delivering sessions with other coaches to ensure it flows and runs smoothly. As a coach, on a regular basis I am dealing with situations that need to be taken care of on and off the pitch, so being task focused has helped me enhance my man-management skills. With Glenavon Academy and DB Coaching, I have dealt with various situations and through careful planning and initiative, I was able to make the correct decision for the task in hand., An ambitious and enthusiastic individual who is dedicated to learning new skills and building upon existing ones in order to deliver the most innovative and effective coaching possible while working with the long-term benefit of the Academy.
References
- Jeff Magee, General Academy Manager, jeff.magee@glenavonacademy.com, 07776 200253
- Ryan Prentice, Head of Academy, ryan.prentice@glenavonacademy.com, 07738594464
Timeline
Head of Foundation Phase
Glenavon Academy
01.2021 - 05.2026
Owner/Coach
DB Coaching
08.2016 - 05.2026
Head Football Coach
Glenavon Academy
01.2015 - 05.2026
Head Coach
Evo Soccer Skills
05.2011 - 06.2014
Football Coach
Moneyslane Football Club
05.2011 - 06.2014
BTEC Level 3 - Sport studies
Southern Regional College
BA (Hons) - Sport Theory and Practice
Ulster University
PGCE - Primary with speciality study in Religious Education
Ulster University