Sam Whitehead
Guildford,Surrey
Summary
Lead Athletic Development Coach at Brentford FC, responsible for the design and delivery of athletic development programmes across U9–U16 academy players. Experienced in GPS monitoring, performance testing, individual development planning and multidisciplinary collaboration within category 1 youth football environments. Driven by educating young athletes and preparing them for the physical demands of professional football through evidence-informed pitch and gym-based coaching.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Lead U9-16 Athletic Development Coach
Brentford Football Club
2025.07 - Current
- Manage the U9-U16 Athletic Development department, leading a team of five coaches.
- Lead the planning, delivery and review of athletic development programmes across the Foundation and Youth Development Phases.
- Design and implement individualised physical development plans aligned to maturation status, injury history and positional demands.
- Lead GPS monitoring, analysis and feedback processes to inform player development and multidisciplinary decision-making.
- Collaborate daily with coaching, medical and performance staff to align physical, technical, tactical and psychological objectives.
- Support Professional Development Phase players through gym-based, pitch-based and return-to-play programming.
- Directed the Athletic Development department through multiple Premier League audits, supporting progression from Category Four to Category One status in record time.
U9-14 Athletic Development Coach
Brentford Football Club
2024.08 - 2025.07
- Designed and delivered long-term athletic development programmes aligned with club philosophy.
- Integrated GPS and VALD testing into training load monitoring and individual development reviews.
- Developed player and parent education initiatives to support physical development beyond the training ground.
- Established bio-banded performance benchmarks to improve physical profiling and developmental decision-making.
- Co-Founded an activity tracking and growth-related injury intervention that contributed to a 74% reduction in growth-related injury incidence.
FP/YDP FITNESS COACH
Fulham Football Club
2023.01 - 2024.08
STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH
Locker 27 Athletic Development
2022.08 - 2023.08
- Lead the design and delivery of programmes with youth and senior team-sport athletes in Hockey, Rowing, Rugby, Tennis and more.
- Lead the design and delivery of 1-1 Rehabilitation and Group Fitness Classes
STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH
University of Exeter Football Club
2020.01 - 2022.05
Education
MSc - Applied Strength and Conditioning Science
St Mary's University, Twickenham
Twickenham 2022.09 - 2023.06
BSc - Exercise and Sport Sciences with advanced proficiency in Spanish
University of Exeter
Exeter 2019.09 - 2022.06
Skills
- Football Performance and Game-Demand Understanding
- Pitch-Based Movement Skill Coaching
- Individualised Physical Development Planning
- GPS Load Monitoring and Analysis
- Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration
- Player Education, Engagement and Behaviour Change
- Effective Stakeholder Communication
- Individual-Focused Communication
Language
English
Fluent
Spanish (Conversational)
Advanced
Certification
Speedworks Virtual Internship - 2023
Working towards UKSCA Accreditation (September 2026)
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Lead U9-16 Athletic Development Coach
Brentford Football Club
2025.07 - Current
U9-14 Athletic Development Coach
Brentford Football Club
2024.08 - 2025.07
FP/YDP FITNESS COACH
Fulham Football Club
2023.01 - 2024.08
MSc - Applied Strength and Conditioning Science
St Mary's University, Twickenham
2022.09 - 2023.06
STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH
Locker 27 Athletic Development
2022.08 - 2023.08
STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH
University of Exeter Football Club
2020.01 - 2022.05
BSc - Exercise and Sport Sciences with advanced proficiency in Spanish
University of Exeter
2019.09 - 2022.06