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By Ethan Holmshaw, Operations Director at THA Football Centres
At THA Football Centres, we believe that great player development starts with great coach development.
My passion for developing coaches has been shaped by my own journey through sport coaching, education and mentorship.
With both a BSc and MSc in Sport Coaching, I have spent years studying not only how players develop, but how coaches can create the environments, experiences and standards that truly help young people thrive.
However, while formal education gave me strong academic foundations, it was the mentors throughout my journey who truly shaped my philosophy.
The Mentors Who Shaped My Coaching Philosophy
Simon Holmshaw
Simon taught me how to lead and manage people.
Through his guidance, I learned:
- How to manage people effectively
- How to understand emotions
- How to influence decisions positively
- How leadership directly impacts performance
This helped me realise that coaching is not just about session delivery, it is about people, relationships and influence.
Sam Holmshaw
Sam taught me how to coach session content with real purpose.
From him, I learned:
- How to design sessions that link together
- How to build progressive session content
- How to create coaching blocks that align with long-term goals
- How to structure learning towards performance outcomes
This shaped my understanding that every session should connect to something bigger than just the activity on the day.
Ruth Brazier
Ruth helped me understand the importance of environment.
Her mentorship taught me:
- How to create environments aligned to specific goals
- How culture influences behaviour and outcomes
- How coaching practice should reflect wider programme objectives
- How standards and expectations shape development
This was a major turning point in my journey, helping me understand that coaching is not only what you deliver and who you deliver to, but the environment you build around it.
Austin Greenwood
Austin played a huge role in helping me believe in my own value as a coach and leader.
Through his mentorship, I developed:
- Greater confidence in what I could offer
- A deeper belief in holistic development
- A broader understanding of building an environment and growing a sense of community
- A stronger passion for developing others
Austin’s support reinforced my belief that the best coaching systems develop the whole person, not just isolated coaching skills.
Rich Foye
Rich taught me one of the most valuable lessons in coaching, to keep chipping away at the boulder.
His mentorship reinforced that coaching development is a continuous journey.
From Rich, I learned:
- To always keep improving, even when progress feels slow
- To consistently put my best foot forward
- To prioritise the children above all else
- To focus on delivering the best possible experience for every young person I have the opportunity to influence
Rich’s philosophy strengthened my commitment to resilience, consistency and always putting player experience first.
This mindset remains central to how we develop coaches at THA today.
Why I Created THA Coach Metrics
These experiences inspired me to create the THA Coach Metrics system.
I wanted to build something that gave coaches a more rounded development experience.
Too often, coach development focuses purely on:
- Session plans
- Technical content
- Qualifications
While these areas matter, truly great coaches need far more than that.
At THA, our coach metrics focus on developing:
- Session preparation
- Session delivery
- Player development
- Reflection and learning
- Professional standards
- Safeguarding
- Energy and enthusiasm
- Leadership
Our aim is to help coaches grow not just as session deliverers, but as leaders, mentors and role models.
Building Better Coaches For Better Player Experiences
The reason this matters is simple:
Better coaches create better environments.
Better environments create:
- More confident players
- Better player development
- More positive experiences
- Stronger long-term outcomes
By investing heavily in coach development, we ensure that every child at THA Football Centres benefits from high-quality, consistent and thoughtful coaching.
A Long Term Vision
Coach development is not a box-ticking exercise.
It is an ongoing process.
My vision is for THA Football Centres to become a place where coaches are continuously supported, challenged and developed, giving them the tools they need to succeed both within football and beyond.
Because when coaches improve, everyone benefits.
Final Thoughts
My journey has been shaped by incredible mentors, education and practical experience.
Without Simon, Sam, Ruth, Austin and Rich, my philosophy would not be what it is today.
Their influence inspired me to build a system that gives coaches the all-rounded support they need.
At THA Football Centres, we are committed to raising standards, developing people and creating better futures, for players and coaches alike.
Want to Join a Coaching Environment That Prioritises Development?
Whether you are an aspiring coach, placement student or experienced practitioner, THA Football Centres is committed to helping coaches grow.
Explore opportunities with THA today.