Neal Watts

Kickstarters Founder

Age: 31

Qualifications: Level 2 in Football

Football Team Supported: Grimsby Town and West Ham United

What my thoughts are on coaching?: Our aim of the Kickstarters Saturday Club is to provide a structured session, which children will get as many touches of the football and take part in fun activities.

Interesting fact about me: The Saturday club started 9 years ago at an indoor venue callled Playsport on the Pyewipe!

Steve Kemshall

Kickstarters Advisor

Age: 40

Qualifications: Secondary school PE teacher. Was about to complete the next set of FA badges but COVID got in the way. Hopefully these will restart now.

Football Team Supported: Scunthorpe Untied and Arsenal

What my thoughts are on coaching?: Having being around football all my life as a player until recently, I have seen how football not only improves your technical ability but also develops character and confidence. Becoming a coach and working with Kickstarters has allowed me to develop these traits in the youngsters I see and in the team I manage.

Fact: My grandad and uncle were both professional footballers, my grandad winning an England cap. My grandad was first team coach for Scunthorpe with his son. Kevin Keegan and Ray Clemence were in the team.

What does Kickstarters say about me?:Steve has shown great dedication to the Saturday Club and has been instrumental in the progress of of the Kickstarters U8s. He offers brilliant advice and ideas with the planning and thoughts of what the future lies for Kickstarters, which I’m very grateful for.

Lewis Smith

Head Coach

Age: 19

Qualifications: Level 1 qualified football coach. Currently studying Sports Coaching and Youth Development Degree at University. coaching in PLUS C group as well as K4. In K4, you’ll see me showing them how Which Kickstarter group will you see me coach most: You will see me.

Football Team Supported: Chelsea

What my thoughts are on coaching?: My thoughts on coaching are that it coaching kids new things and teaching them to be a better person. great coaching service he provides to schools in the area. He has a kind, friendly

What does Kickstarters say about me?: Lewis is the head coach of Kickstarters and has helped grow the reputation of the company through the excellence team and scored a hat-trick against the Man City academy! approach to his coaching, which is epitomises what Kickstarters is about. Not sure about 35 yard screamers though!

Interesting fact about me: An interesting fact about me is that I played for the Grimsby district schools of excellence team and scored a hat-trick against the Man City academy!!

Paul-David Rowe

Coach

Age: 19

Qualifications: FA level 1, BTEC Sport Level 3. Which Kickstarter group will you see me coach most: You will see me coaching in PLUS A and K3.

Football Team Supported: Leeds United

What my thoughts are on coaching?: My thoughts on coaching are each child has a potential so to help them fulfil them is really rewarding with football coaching.

What does Kickstarters say about me?: PD has grown in confidence and has become a great member of our coaching team. His delivery of coaching is of high quality, I feel he’s getting better and better as he gains more experience. He thinks deeply about his sessions and adapts them to meet the needs of his groups. A great lad who brings positivity and energy to our team.

Interesting fact about me: I started playing football at the age of five and in junior football went three seasons unbeaten I was 5 and now I’m starting coaching with kickstarters!

Oscar Atkinson

Coach

Age: 16

Qualifications: Will be undertaking FA level 1 coaching badge this year.

Football Team Supported: Grimsby Town

What my thoughts are on coaching?: I enjoy seeing the kids progress as they take on new skills

What does Kickstarters say about me?: Oscar is the future of Kickstarters! His coaching ability for a lad of 16 is phenomenal. After being involved with the club as a player, he’s really taken to the role of coaching and will only get better with more experience. A lovely lad to have on the team.

Interesting fact about me: I’ve been coached by wattsy since I was 5 and now I’m starting coaching with kickstarters!

Mally Kitt

Coach

Age: 45

Qualifications: Prior to lockdown I was waiting to take my FA coaching level 1. Hopefully I can get this sorted soon now things are moving again!
Which Kickstarter group will you see me coach most: K4.

Football Team Supported: Grimsby Town

What my thoughts are on coaching?: After playing from a young age and only finishing playing really when my lad was born it’s great to not only coach in the team my lad plays for but to keep involved in football in general and whether it be coaching Humberston JFC or a Kickstarter group seeing how happy all the kids are just playing football keeps me feeling young!

What does Kickstarters say about me?: Mally is a top guy who is passionate about coaching and is totally committed to Kickstarters. He’s had a great impact with the Kickstarters team through dedication and hard work and is always on hand to deliver a quality session, whether that be in the K4 group or helping out in others to. We really appreciate and thank you for being part of our team.

Interesting fact about me: I’ve never grown up still love building Lego and love Star Wars to a point where I even have a replica life size Han Solo frozen in carbonite in my house from the film empire strikes back!!… Such an understanding wife!

Andy Leeman

Coach

Age: 29

Qualifications: FA Level 1 in Coaching. Currently doing my Level 2. Which Kickstarter group will you see me coach most: You’ll see me coach PLUS B and K4.

Football Team Supported: West Brom

What my thoughts are on coaching?: Coaching is my passion and I’ve always wanted to get into coaching. It’s really good seeing the kids I’m coaching improve and enjoy themselves & share a love for the game. Like myself. What does

What does Kickstarters say about me?: Andy has already become an invaluable member of the coaching team. He’s a great guy who cares deeply about children and improving them as footballers. He thinks carefully about his sessions and reflects really well with what went well and how he can improve. A great coach and glad we found you!

Interesting fact about me: My interesting fact is my dog is famous! He’s an internet star with over 300,000 followers from all around the world across all social media – pretty mad!.

Ryan Birkett

Coach

Age: 24

Qualifications: Sport and Exercise Science degree, level 2 sports leadership, level 3 sports massage

Football Team Supported: Manchester United and England!

What my thoughts are on coaching?: enjoyable and very rewarding job but also love children to develop and find their passion

Interesting fact about me: I struggle with interesting facts about myself (I’ll get back to you with that one if that’s okay, haha)

John Atkinson

Coach

Age: 52

Football Team Supported: Grimsby Town

Where will you see me?: You will see me when your child arrives at at the club, as I will be on the gate welcoming your child to the session

What does Kickstarters say about me?: John has been involved in football and the Saturday Club since it began. He’s a great guy, who is passionate about children’s football and a pleasure to have involved on a Saturday. He’s organised, a great team player and nothing is too much to ask. Thank you for the role you play in making the sessions run smoothly.

Interesting face about me: Involved in junior football as a manager/ committee member since 1988, that bit makes me feel old!

Michael Johnston

Chesterfield Franchiser

Age: 27

Qualifications: Primary school teacher

Football Team Supported: I don’t really support a team I’m neutral

What my thoughts are on coaching?: I believe coaching is distinct from teaching because you can more effectively guide/direct people using their own talents and desires to achieve a goal. I had an amazing football coach throughout my childhood who taught me a lot and was a big role model for me and I would love to be that person for other children.

Interesting fact about me: I started coaching in Australia and had to coach alongside Ibis, Parakeets, Cockatoos and huge bats!

Zac Ogley

Coach

Age: 15

Qualifications: I’m still at school and when I’m older I would like to do my fa coaching badges

Football Team Supported: Man United

What my thoughts are on coaching?:  I enjoy see the kids confidence grow and them having fun.

What does Kickstarters say about me?: Zac has been attending the Saturday club as a player for many years and played in one of the teams formed from the club. He’s now growing in confidence in his coaching assistant role, helping the youngest Kickstarters in the reading group with his kindness and playing the role of the ‘bear’ or ‘shark’ as well as many other animals in the sessions! Thank you for your help on a Saturday Zac and being part of the team.

Interesting face about me: Neal coached me when I was younger!